Purpose and aims of the Course This Course should encourage learners to be inspired and challenged through the provision of a range of learning experiences which will develop important skills that focus on the creative exploration of the art of theatre, its forms and its practices, and practical aspects of theatre. It also provides opportunities to develop transferable skills for learning, life and work. The Advanced Higher Drama Course allows learners to explore both the practical and analytical aspects of the subject. It provides opportunities for learners to develop skills through practical aspects of theatre, the creative exploration of the art of theatre and its forms and practices. Learners will investigate how theatre practice has been shaped by key practitioners. They will expand and develop their own skills within their chosen area of acting, directing or design. Learners will also develop their skills in devising and interpreting text. Further, they will explore means of using theatre and performance skills to communicate effectively with an audience and investigate how key practitioners have influenced the theatre today. Learners will also develop problem solving and critical thinking skills as they analyse theatre practice and interpret text. They will also learn to analyse their performance and the performance of others.

The aims of the Course are to enable learners to:

• develop autonomy and independent thinking skills
• develop skills in performing within their chosen area of acting, directing or design
• develop individual creativity when applying skills in problem solving, analysis and evaluation
•  analyse current theatrical performance
• develop analytical skills in the interpretation of texts
• develop knowledge and understanding of theatre practice and key practitioners
• develop knowledge and understanding of social and cultural influences on drama

This Course would provide opportunities for progression to a variety of other qualifications in other related fields, including HNCs/HNDs in Acting and Performance, Musical Theatre, and the HNC in Technical Theatre.

Drama Skills (Advanced Higher) This Unit will focus on learners developing their knowledge of methodologies, theatre practices and texts to progress their devising skills. Their knowledge and skills will be informed by the work of a key theatre practitioner. They will independently create a devised drama production. This will explore how meaning can be communicated to an audience through practical realisation of their own theatrical concepts. Learners will also evaluate the effectiveness of their concepts.

Drama: Production Skills (Advanced Higher) In this Unit, learners will focus on a study of a key theatre practitioner, and explore in depth the influences on and the theory and practice of their chosen practitioner. They will explore and analyse key productions that reflect their acting or directing or design methodologies through both research and practical experimentation. They will take on the role of the actor or director or designer in the exploration of a textual extract.

SQA EXAM:

1 A performance, which will be supported by a ‘preparation for performance’.

Option A – Acting: The purpose of this performance is to allow candidates to demonstrate advanced levels of practical performance skills. Candidates will be required to perform two contrasting acting roles, one of which will be interactive and one of which will be a monologue. Each candidate should be involved in an acting contribution of approximately 20 minutes in total, with approximately 15 minutes for the interactive role and two to three minutes for the monologue. An audience is essential for the acting option. All lines must be learnt. Scripts will not be allowed and a prompter may be present.

Option B — Directing: The purpose of the assessment is to allow candidates to demonstrate advanced levels of directing. Candidates will be required to have prepared a substantial extract, for example an act, from their chosen text. On the day of the performance the visiting assessor will select approximately three pages for the candidate to direct. Each candidate must be involved in a total time of 40 minutes of directing. It is the responsibility of the teacher/lecturer to provide suitable actors for the candidate.

Option C — Design: The purpose of the assessment is to allow candidates to demonstrate advanced levels of creativity in theatre design. Candidates will be required to produce a set design for a play, which must allow for one significant set change. The design interpretation should be for an audience of today. They will be required to research the background of their play in terms of its social and theatrical context. Within the investigation of the theatrical context, they will take note of any predominant style of design, either of the period in which the play was written or associated with the first performance of the play (if appropriate). The results of this investigation, together with acquired knowledge and understanding of the themes, issues and characters in the play, should be used to inform performance concepts related to the design of the set and two other areas of design for the play. Candidates will prepare for and produce a scale model set for the play. The set will be related to an identified acting space. The two other areas of design will be chosen from lighting, sound, multimedia, costume, make-up and hair and props. On the day of the examination the designer will present their model of the set, ideas and concepts to an examiner. The total time for the presentation should be 20 to 25 minutes.

2 A project–dissertation. 

The project will have 40 marks (40% of the total mark). The candidate will be required to demonstrate depth of knowledge and understanding of a relevant performance issue. The candidate will select an area which should allow analysis of performance theories and practice. It will be informed by the work of a current and/or historical theatre practitioner and/or company. The project will take the form of a dissertation of between 2,500 and 3,000 words.