Theatre Studies
Aims and philosophy
Theatre Studies aims to encourage candidates to develop their interest in and enjoyment of theatre, through experience as audience members and by their development of theatre skills within their own practice. Candidates study a range of plays and the work of major theatre practitioners; they also see a range of live theatre and write about these performances. The course is suitable for anyone who enjoys and is interested in theatre - onstage, backstage, or in the audience.
Curriculum by year-group
AS: candidates work in a group devising and performing a piece of drama of between 15 and 30 minutes in length. Each candidate chooses to be assessed on a specific theatre skill - acting, set design and construction, lighting and/or sound - demonstrated during the devised drama's performance. There are two written papers: one on two set plays, the texts of which are taken into the exam room, and one on two pieces: the first piece is about an important and influential theatre practitioner's ideas and achievements; the second piece is about a performance seen by the candidate during the course.
A-level: candidates work in a group devising and performing a piece of drama of between 20 and 40 minutes in length. The style of the piece must have been influenced by the candidates' study of practitioners or playwrights over the A-level course. As in the AS Practical, candidates choose to be assessed on a specific theatre skill. There are two written papers: one on two further set plays, the texts of which are taken into the exam room, and one involving two pieces: the first piece is about a further theatre practitioner's ideas and how they have influenced productions seen or the candidates' own practical productions, the second piece is a response to an 'unseen' extract from a play.
Outside the classroom
There are about twenty productions each year including whole School musicals, House plays, productions written & directed by boys, and plays in German, Spanish & Classical Greek. Many Old Harrovians have been successful on stage & screen. Any boy in the School can find a niche for himself in the theatre whether acting, helping backstage or front of house, building sets or learning technical expertise with sound, lighting, special effects, props etc. Click here for more about drama at Harrow School.
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