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Drama and Theatre A Level

The Drama and Theatre A Level course at Queen Mary’s College encourages creativity. There is a focus on practical work and developing skills that will support progression to further study of drama and a wide range of other subjects. By studying this comprehensive course, you will be able to understand and evaluate texts and extracts, analyse and evaluate your work and that of others whilst nurturing essential practical skills and abilities. This will enable you to excel in the dynamic performing arts industry and beyond.

Students will need to commit themselves fully to the demands of academic study both in and out of College. There are also production weekends organised immediately prior to each show. This will allow you to contribute to the work undertaken backstage as we prepare costumes, set and props. Production weekends will also involve rehearsals.

WELCOME TO THE PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT

We have high expectations of all of our Performing Arts students and aim to challenge you to achieve outstanding results. At QMC, there are professional equipment and facilities to enhance your learning and help you acquire the skills you will need to work in the performing arts industry. As well as preparing you for a career in performing arts, we also help prepare you for a range of alternative courses and professions.

Our Performing Arts mission is to develop Creativity and Academic Excellence for your future:

Strive for excellence and innovation
Be authentic
Be exciting, inspiring and engaging
Ensure a positive and inclusive experience
Enable personal progression

Drama and Theathre A Level student

Drama and Theathre A Level students

Drama and Theathre A Level student

Performing Arts Teacher directing the students

Drama and Theathre A Level student

Performing Arts

Drama and Theathre A Level students performing

TEACHING METHODS

By studying Drama and Theatre A Level, you will be immersed in learning in a number of ways through:

Professional theatre workshops.
Academic workshops to stretch your written capabilities.
Exceptional audition preparation and advice.
Creating original performances in a professional theatre

Where can this course take me?

By studying Drama and Theatre A Level in our Performing Arts Centre of Excellence, students will not only develop their practical and theoretical knowledge and skills but also pick up transferrable skills highly sought out by employers.

Employability skills:

cognitive and problem-solving skills: using critical thinking, approaching non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, using systems and technology
interpersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation
intrapersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development

Transferable skills that universities value include:

the ability to learn independently
the ability to research actively and methodically
being able to give presentations and being active group members

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

As a student in the performing arts department, there is a wide range of enrichments at QMC that will supplement what you learn in the classroom. A few enrichments that suit Drama and Theatre A Level include:

Performing Arts Auditions Preparation
Playwriting Enrichment
Instrumental/ Singing Lessons

You will have plenty of opportunities to attend a wide range of exciting theatre trips and take part in the National Theatre Connections competition. There is also the opportunity to go on the Performing Arts trip to New York in the summer. View more enrichment opportunities here.

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Fun facts

The arts create independent learners and develop students emotional intelligence. They require the students to set their own agenda from within themselves, rather than follow set topics as in other subjects. They have to make independent decisions all the way, and be self-critical. They also need to be brave in exposing their creations, and accept criticism. Working in teams makes students into effective communicators.
Arts ‘reach the parts other subjects can’t reach.’ The arts develop the broader dimensions of the human being – mind, body and soul. The arts can express the inexpressible and make sense of things that otherwise do not seem to. This can be very fulfilling and helps us function as human beings – which can only be good for society as a whole.
Arts ‘reach the students other subjects can’t reach.’ Teachers find arts subjects particularly beneficial for two groups: those who struggle with traditional subjects and those who are high achieving. Less academic students can become defeatist if they feel they can’t achieve: drama, music or art can be the place they blossom. With studious students, the arts can bring them out of themselves and be a release.