Director of Drama: Dr H.R. Brown
Follow Shrewsbury Drama on Twitter: @ShrewsburyDrama
The study of Drama is a key part of the Salopian experience: it enables students to access some of the greatest stories ever written, develops confidence and empathy and fosters creativity.
All pupils in the Third Form experience a module of Drama as part of the English syllabus. They are introduced to the basics of improvisation and devising, as well as experiencing workshops in stage combat, set design and clowning.
Pupils may opt to pursue Drama at GCSE. We follow the WJEC syllabus, which offers the most practical and hands-on approach to a range of performance and production skills.
The course has three key components, which are assed via practical performance and written examination.
Component 1 requires pupils to create a piece of devised theatre in response to a stimulus provided by the exam board. This performance must demonstrate the influence of an established theatrical practitioner such as Brecht, Stanislavski or Frantic Assembly.
Component 2 requires pupils to perform an extract from a published play, demonstrating their interpretation of the text and character. For both practical components, students may offer either acting or design; although the majority of candidates will pursue the performance option, in recent years a number of students have offered set, lighting and costume design as their chosen skill.
Component 3 is assessed by written examination and requires pupils to prepare a blueprint for a hypothetical production of a set text: they may be asked about any aspect of performance or design, and need to have a sense of how production elements come together to realise their directorial concept for the play.
Pupils also have to evaluate a live performance they have seen and explain how the performers and production team have created particular effects for the audience. Throughout the course, they will regularly attend the theatre to watch a range of productions in different styles and genres.
Sixth Form and Beyond
The study of Drama at A level enables pupils to develop their skills of performance and analysis further and develop a more sophisticated understanding of how theatre is made. We follow the AQA linear specification. As at GCSE, the course requires students to study set plays, evaluate live theatre and produce both scripted and devised performances in the light of established theatrical practitioners. The course is a natural partner for the study of English Literature, Classics or Fine Art, but many students opt to pursue their passion for Drama alongside a huge range of different subjects.
Please follow the link on the left to navigate to more details about the Drama A level.
Every year, a number of students go on to pursue Drama in higher education, either by pursuing a vocational training in Acting or Stage Management at a CSA conservatoire or by studying academic drama at university. In recent years, students have gone on to study at RADA, Guildhall and Central School of Drama, as well as the universities of York, Durham, Bristol and Exeter. The Department supports students through the application and audition process.
Helen Brown (Director of Drama)
Adam Wall (Senior Technician)
A Level Results - Drama
GCSE Results - Drama
From 2018, the Drama GCSE was graded under a nine-point numerical system. The results are shown below with the equivalent grade on the previous eight-point alphabetical system.
|( A* )||( A )||( B )||( C )||( D )||( E )|