What is GCSE Drama all about?

GCSE Drama is all about understanding what it is like to put yourself in

somebody else’s shoes. You will play many parts in different imaginary situations.

You will have the opportunity to create your own work as well as look at plays

written by other people.

The course is in three parts:

• in part one of the course you will use drama to express your feelings and ideas

about a range of issues

• in part two of the course you will look at a play to see how a playwright

expresses their ideas about a theme or topic and explore ways of making the

play work on stage

• in part three of the course you will have the choice of being involved in the

performance of a play from an existing script or one you can create yourselves.

Will I enjoy this course?

You will enjoy this course if you want to study a subject that is both practical and

creative. You may have done some acting before or helped out backstage on a

production. You may have always wanted to have a go at making a play,

performing, making costumes, building a set or operating the lights but never

had the chance. You will enjoy this course if you enjoy working as part of a team

as Drama involves a lot of group work.

How does it follow on from what

I have learned before?

GCSE Drama follows on from drama work that you will have done at Key Stage 3

(years 7-9). You will develop your improvisation and acting skills to a higher level.

You will also look at plays in more detail and look at different ways of bringing a

script alive on stage.

DRAMA

What about exams?

The examination for GCSE Drama is a practical performance. It is worth 40% of the marks.

You will take part in a play that you have created as a group or rehearsed from a script.

You can either be examined on your acting skills in the performance or on your design and technicalskills (stage design, costume, masks and makeup,

lighting or sound).

You will perform the play in front of an audience and the examiner will be

present at one of the performances.

Is there any coursework?

The 60% coursework part of the GCSE Drama

course consists of practical performance work and

a written notebook of evidence. During your

course you will take part in 2 different workshops

that will be marked by your teacher. In one of

the workshops you will use all that you have

learnt about Drama to explore your responses to

a range of material presented to you by your

teacher. In the other workshop you will explore

a play and show your understanding of drama by

taking part in a number of exercises based on the

play. You will be assessed on your practical work

and on the supporting notes you keep during

the workshops.

What about my results?

You can achieve grades A* to G in GCSE Drama.

The final grade is reported in August.

What other skills might

I develop?

As well as acquiring the skills involved in creating

and performing Drama, you will also be able to

acquire skills in working with others, problem

solving and communication. You will find that

Drama will help you feel more self-confident and

prepare you to deal with a range of different

situations and people.

What could I do next with

GCSE Drama?

There are many things you can go on to do with

a GCSE in Drama. If you are unsure about what to

do next, the best thing to do is to speak to your

Drama teacher who will know about the choices

on offer.

You could go on to take an AS or A level in

Drama and Theatre Studies, or a Vocational

A level in Performing Arts or a BTEC National

Certificate or Diploma in Performing Arts or

Performance Design and Technology.

You may wish to take a GCSE in Drama for its

own sake, perhaps to form the basis of a future

interest or as part of a range of other subjects.

Or you might wish to go into a job where it is

useful to have had experience of Drama, or

where you will need to use some of the skills

developed during this course. These might

include careers in such fields as retail, travel and

tourism, sales and marketing or any career that

involves meeting people face to face. The study

of Drama can help you develop transferable skills

which you can take into any career or job.