GCSE Drama

Drama challenges students to look at the world in new ways. It demands taking risks, being creative and expressing yourself in an active and exciting way. It will require you to work in a group, contributing your ideas and taking on board those of others. You will be a performer, a director and a critic all in one lesson.

You will learn how to explore new ideas by putting yourself in other people’s shoes. You will also have the opportunity to play many different parts in different imaginary situations. The course offers you the chance to be inspired by looking at plays and seeing top quality performances. You will then be challenged to perform in a public performance and ultimately sit a written exam.

Drama consists of two coursework components and one externally examined paper.

Component 1: Devising

Coursework: 40% of the qualification, 60 marks

Content overview

Create, develop and perform a devised piece from a stimulus
Analyse and evaluate the devising process and performance

Assessment overview (Internally assessed and externally moderated)

There are two parts to the assessment:

A portfolio covering the creating and developing process and analysis and evaluation of this process (45 marks). The portfolio submission evidence between 1500–2000 words
A devised performance (15 marks, assessing AO2)

Component 2: Performance from Text

Coursework: 20% of the qualification, 48 marks

Content overview

Students will either perform in and/or design for two key extracts from a performance text

Assessment overview (Externally assessed by visiting examiner)

Performance/design realisation covering both key extracts is worth 48 marks
If two separate performances are done covering two key extracts, then each performance/design realisation is worth 24 marks

Component 3: Theatre Makers in Practice

Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes, 40% of the qualification, 60 marks

Content overview

Practical exploration and study of one complete performance text
Live theatre evaluation – free choice of production

Assessment overview

Section A: Bringing Texts to Life - 45 marks, assessing AO3

This section consists of one question broken into six parts (short and extended responses) based on one extract from the chosen performance text
Performance texts are not allowed in the examination as the extracts will be provided

Section B: Live Theatre Evaluation - 15 marks, assessing AO4

This section consists of two questions requiring students to analyse and evaluate a live theatre performance they have seen
Students are allowed to bring in theatre evaluation notes of up to a maximum of 500 words