Performing Arts
Drama and Theatre A Level
Course Summary
Why choose to study drama? Perhaps you have a specific interest in a career in theatre, be it on the stage as actor or director, behind the scenes technical or in theatre management. Maybe you have a real enjoyment of the drama side of Literature and want to develop this area of your knowledge base. Or you may quite simply have a love for the theatre that you feel would translate well to A level study. Drama and Theatre Studies AS and A2 will appeal to students who are committed to broadening their experience of performance, live theatre appreciation and text study. The subject is excellent for students who enjoy varied learning styles; lessons are divided between practical and theoretical study and focus on a range of theatrical styles and time periods. Throughout the course you will be asked to engage in creative tasks, independent research, presentations, essay writing, intensive rehearsals, performances, workshops with professional companies, and to visits to the theatre.
The main areas studied are:
- Live Theatre Appreciation
- Prescribed Plays
- Performance of Scripted Drama
- Creation and Performance of Devised Drama
- Supporting Note writing
Where might it lead
If you have your sights set on performing as a career, many students have found their A Level Drama studies excellent preparation for advancing into full time training in Higher Education and a career in the Performing Arts. Former students have successfully auditioned for prestigious UK Drama schools, Arts Ed, Mountview Academy, LIPA and GSA. In addition students have studied Drama to provide a creative aspect to their A level programme. Former Drama students have gone on to study at Russell Group Universities such as Warwick, Birmingham and Cambridge, reading subjects such as Law, Maths and English. Drama can lead to any number of employment routes from roles directly linked to the theatre, film and television industry, performers, directors, stage management, front of house management, costume design, set design, makeup etc to positions including teaching, lecturing and drama therapy.
Student perspective
“My decision to take Drama and Theatre Studies at A level was an easy one, largely due to my career plans. The course is interesting as we explore many practitioners and plays, giving me a wider range of skills that I can use later on in my career. The continued support from the staff also ensures that the enthusiasm never fades from a single student as each one of us is pushed to become the very best we can be.”
Lewis Brinnicombe, Year 12
Entrance Criteria
In addition to a minimum of 5 GCSE’s inc Maths and English at grade 5 or above
Plus a minimum of grade 6 in GCSE Drama.
Assessment Criteria
Component One: Drama and Theatre (40% Written Examination)
Two set texts and Live Theatre.
Component Two: Creating Original Drama (30% Practical Examination)
Creating and performing a piece of drama in a group, accompanied by a written analysis of the process.
Component Three: Making Theatre (30% Practical Examination)
Practical exploration and interpretation of a series of three scripted extracts.
Exam Board
AQA
Contact details
Miss Helen Mayne – hme@knutsfordacademy.org.uk Head of Drama
Dance A Level
Course Summary
If you are a strong dancer and have keen interest in dance it is an excellent subject to take as part of your A Level profile. Many students agree they leave with skills that are applicable to further study and future life. Dance A Level will appeal to students who are committed to broadening their experience of choreography, performance and appreciation. The subject is excellent for students who enjoy varied learning styles; lessons are divided between practical and theoretical study. Throughout the course you will be asked to engage in problem solving tasks, individual research, creation of presentations, essay writing, conducting rehearsals, performances in the wider community, workshops with professional companies, and to visits to live professional dance.
The main areas studied are:
- Contemporary technique : Cunningham and Limon and Horton
- Performance studies for an ensemble and soloist
- Choreography for an ensemble
- Dance appreciation within the ballet and contemporary dance genres including prescribed set works and companies as areas of study
Where might it lead
If you have your sights set on performing as a career numerous students have found their A Level Dance studies excellent preparation for advancing into full time training in Higher Education and a career in the Performing Arts. Former students have successfully auditioned for prestigious UK contemporary dance conservatoires: London Contemporary Dance School, Trinity Laban and the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. In addition students have studied Dance to provide a creative angle to their A level profile. The Dance industry employs around 30,000 people including dancers, choreographers, teachers, community dance practitioners, promoters, producers, designers, publicists, technicians, physiotherapists, medical and alternative practitioners, therapists, writers and academics.
Student perspective
“Dance as an A Level choice, was about not only enhancing skills and abilities needed for a career in the subject, to me Dance was a way I could pursue and develop a true passion. During the course I gained a sense of my own skills and unique style. Understanding the universality of Dance at A Level undoubtedly helped me to explore and develop my own craft.”
Jacob Roberts Year 13
Entrance Criteria
In addition to a minimum of 5 GCSE’s inc Maths and English at grade 5 or above
Plus a minimum of grade 6 in GCSE Dance.
Assessment Criteria
Component One: Performance and Choreography (50% Practical Examination)
Solo performance, performance in a quartet and a group choreography
Component Two: Critical Engagement (50% Written Examination)
2 ½ hr paper: Short answer and three essay questions responding to the prescribed work ‘Rooster’ (Bruce) and two further areas of study.
Exam Board
AQA
Contact details
Mrs Lisa Scott – lst@knutsfordacademy.org.uk Head of Dance
Music (BTEC Level 3 qualification)
Course Summary – Music BTEC LEvel 3
Are you a musician? If you love music and are an avid performer then the Level 3 BTEC in Music Performance is the course for you. Equivalent to at least one A Level, the Music Performance BTEC teaches skills that are applicable for higher education, and a career in the music industry. The qualification was developed in collaboration with experts from professional bodies and universities to ensure that the course prepares you for university and beyond. Throughout your studies, you will engage in ensemble and solo performances, conduct rehearsals, research the music industry, and compose using various music theory techniques.
The Main Areas of Study Are:
- Practical Music Theory and Harmony
- Professional Practice in the Music Industry
- Ensemble Music Performance
- Solo Performance
Where might it lead
If you are interested in becoming a full-time musician or any other career in the music industry, many students have found their BTEC studies excellent preparation for advancing into full time training in Higher Education and a career in the Performing Arts. The music industry employs over 145,815 people full time in the UK in various sectors including music creation, recorded music, live music, music publishing, music representation, and music production. The career prospects and possibilities in the music industry are endless.
Entrance Criteria
In addition to a minimum of 5 GCSE’s inc Maths and English at grade 5 or above
Plus a minimum of grade 6 in GCSE Music.
Assessment Criteria
A Level Music
- Musical Appraisal : 40%
- Performance : 35%
- Composition : 25%
Exam Board
AQA
Contact details
Miss E Maketansky – lmy@knutsfordacademy.org.uk
Musical Theatre (A BTEC Level 3 qualification)
Course Summary
Are you interested in Musical Theatre? Singing? Dancing? Acting? The combination of all three? Do you enjoy watching live theatre performances? What about getting up there and doing it yourself? If so, a Level 3 BTEC qualification (equivalent to at least ONE A level) in Musical Theatre would be the right choice for you!
Musical Theatre is the crafting of a piece of entertainment combining the three performance arts, drama, dance and music. Many of the world’s favourite theatre works are in the musical theatre genre and offer a form escapism for many audiences.
Through your study of Musical Theatre, you will learn skills and techniques associated with acting, dance and singing and most importantly how to craft these into an entertaining and stimulating piece of performance. You will work throughout the course as a musical theatre company, creating, marketing and performing your own showcase performances and complete works.
Some of the Units available for study are:
- Musical Theatre Performance
- Performing for a target audience
- Singing for actors
- Devising Theatre
- Audition skills
Where might it lead
Musical Theatre alumni, have continued on to many of the most prestigious UK and Overseas Drama and Dance schools and from there to a career on the professional stage. Other employment routes include; Theatre management, teaching and many more non-performing arts related jobs.
Student perspective
“Choosing Music Theatre was a simple decision for me, as I want to continue my studies at University, and performing in professional theatre is my long-term goal. My abilities in this subject have advanced greatly due to the excellent teaching skills of the staff”
Romani Dante, Year 13
Entrance Criteria
In addition to a minimum of 5 GCSE’s inc Maths and English at grade 5 or above
Please discuss additional requirements with the Performing Arts team.
Assessment Criteria
Students will study between 4 and 6 different units during the two year course. Some units are mandatory, others are elective.
Exam Board
Pearson (Edexcel)
Contact details
Miss Helen Mayne – hme@knutsfordacademy.org.uk Head of Performing Arts
KS5 Performing Arts Curriculum Maps
Sixth Form
