Expressive Arts Faculty: Drama
National 5: Preparation for Performance (300 – 400 words)
Cover in your response:
• your research of the text
• your thoughts for your role
• how you developed those thoughts into a final performance
(emotional memory; given circumstance)
Higher: Preparation for Performance essay (typed 400 – 500 words)
Cover in your response:
• specific research, discussing historical and social aspects
• your development of the role
• rehearsal process
(what did you use to help this? Use Stanislavsky to help here)
Advanced Higher: (typed 3000 words)
You must cover in your response:
• from the point of view of either Actor; Director; Set Designer
• compare your findings with at least one practitioner
• ensure you have a thorough argument
• ensure that you include a contemporary play/practitioner in your argument
Broad General Education
Throughout BGE Drama pupils can expect to learn skills for learning, life and work, and how they apply these within the classroom.
From the very beginning of the Broad general education the enhancement of the student’s confidence and communication skills is a pre-requisite of junior drama, whilst also learning how to effectively participate in group work and respect the ideas and opinions of others.
Throughout S1-S3 the student will learn about specific drama skills, for example the performance side of exploring how voice and movement create a visual and audio language.
The spoken word is also explored through the narrative of script writing which all students will contribute towards. All students will then reflect upon their devised work through a process of evaluation where they are encouraged to review their work and work of others. This will be through the process of an evaluative essay which ultimately aids the further development of the students overall literacy.
Throughout Junior phase assessment is a fundamental instrument of the course.
The assessment takes the form of
- Self-assessment
• Peer assessment and feedback
• Target setting and tracking and monitoring
• Written & aural feedback by teacher
Over skills that are being covered in the broad, general education phase are: voice, movement, form, structure, convention, audience awareness & characterisation.
Certain theatrical design elements will also be explored such as lighting, sound, set, costume, make up, props, mood and atmosphere, tension & staging,
A degree of numeracy will be required for the student to engage with through specific units of work that openly encourage the student to apply & enhance specific numeric skills.
Above all BGE Drama will offer the student fun whilst learning in essence-
“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself”.
John Dewey
National
The National Drama Course enables learners to develop a range of production skills and skills in devising & presenting drama. Learners also explore form, genre, structure and style of drama.
Senior phase courses will enable further education in a related discipline as well as enhancing skills for a variety of other employment pathways.
Higher
The Higher Drama Course develops skills in creating and presenting drama. Learners develop and use complex drama skills and production skills to present drama.
The Higher course is divided into three units: Drama Skills, Production Skills and Performance.
Drama Skills:
The students will respond to a given stimuli, exploring a range of forms, genre, styles and conventions to devise a piece of drama in small groups. The pupils will take responsibility to direct and act in this devised drama
A folio of work will provide a record of their development.
Production Skills:
The students will explore two production areas for the purpose of a performance to an audience.
The students will research their chosen roles looking into the sociological, psychological and philosophical meaning behind their production choice.
Students will keep a folio of research and evidence
Performance: Students will take on the role of designer, actor or director and perform a published play(s) for which particular area they are to explore for a practical examination.
The examination will be conducted by a visiting SQA examiner.
This practical examination will take up 60% of their overall grade.
The written exam paper is comprised of two essays, to be completed in two hours. The first essay requires pupils to choose a production role and explain their concepts for a performance from the text they have been studying throughout the year. The second essay requires pupils to analyse a professional performance they have been to see with the class, they may choose from a range of productions the department organises. This paper takes place as part of the main exam diet in May and is 40% of the overall mark in Higher Drama
ADVANCED HIGHER
The Advanced Higher Drama course builds upon the work done in National 5 and Higher Drama.
The students will explore particular practitioners who have had an effect upon the theatre.
The course will also prepare the student for further study through tutorials, classroom activities & personal study which all students are encouraged to do.
The course consists of three units – Drama Skills, Production Skills and finally Performance. In addition there is an externally marked and graded Dissertation (research) project which the students must plan and research independently.