Performing Arts

You will study two different units per year of study that vary in their methods of assessment

Year 12:

Unit 1 - Investigating Practitioners 

Learners investigate the work of performing arts practitioners, developing critical analysis skills and contextual understanding of how theme are communicated by practitioners. This module is based on watching live/recorded theatre.

Unit 2 - Developing Skills and Techniques for Live Performance

Learners explore technical performance skills with a focus on developing their own skills and techniques in different performance styles. This unit focuses on scripted work.

Year 13:

Unit 3 - Group Performance Workshop

Learners will be given a stimulus as a starting point for a devised piece of theatre. Learners respond to the stimulus as a team and collaborate with intentions of meeting the set brief. 

Optional Unit - Selecting 1 of the Following as a Cohort

• Unit 18 - Interpreting Classical Text for Performance 
• Unit 19 - Acting Styles
• Unit 20 - Developing the Voice for Performance
• Unit 21 - Improvisation
• Unit 22 - Movement in Performance

Assessment

Unit 1 - Mandatory (written) unit that will be assessed through a task and completed under supervised conditions. The task is formed of two parts, Part A and Part B. Part A will be issued to learners four weeks before the timetables session for Part B. Part B is taken under supervised conditions in a single session of 3 hours timetabled by the Exam Board. This is an externally assessed unit. 

Unit 2 - Mandatory unit that is assessed through different formats that include the following: 

• A report or presentation demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the roles and skills of a performer.
• A recorded performance assessing your application of skills and techniques during rehearsals and workshops, alongside the final performance. This includes elements of peer and teacher observations.
• A performance log that reviews and evaluates the development of skills and techniques.

This unit is internally assessed and has a combination of written and performance elements.

Unit 3 - Mandatory unit that is assessed through a task completed under supervised conditions. Before the assessment period, learners will have the opportunity to prepare for the development and completion of the group performance and their digital process log. For assessment, learners will be given a stimulus to create performance material. In groups the learners will respond to the stimulus and develop a performance workshop for an invited audience. Learners submit a digital process log that tackles the different stages of the development process before an evaluation of the piece. 

This is an externally assessed unit. 

Optional Unit - Assessed internally through a combination of assessment methods.

• A report or presentation that demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the unit focus.
• Recorded footage that demonstrates the development of the application of that unit focus for performance. Research notes and a logbook for workshops and rehearsal notes. Recordings of practical exploration and development of work, keeping a record of observations. 

A performance log that reviews and evaluates the development and