Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Handout 1 - Overview
1) A devised performance that demonstrates your chosen theatrical style (either Physical
Theatre or Epic Theatre)
3) 1500-2000 words of supporting notes about your research, reflection and analysis.
1) A devised performance?
As a group you will share the responsibility of devising (i.e. working together to develop an
original piece of drama) and presenting a performance based on your choice of stimulus
material. You may use any appropriate topic or material as subject matter to base your
devising process around as long as it is suitable for working in your chosen style.
Tip: The three fundamental aspects your examiner will look for are
1) Does your work achieve clearly defined dramatic aims?
2) Does your work demonstrate the style you have chosen to work in?
3) The quality and degree of rehearsal of your individual performance
The assessment of the final performance will be form 50% of the overall mark you receive.
You must as a group reach a clear decision on what style you are working in and stick with
it. You should NOT attempt to work in a combination of styles as this will only confuse you
and make it very difficult for you to achieve high marks.
You must engage in research into this style (using the provided material AND your own
investigations) and select elements of the style that work well with your dramatic intentions
and chosen material. You should note that unlike last year, it is not appropriate to have a
just a single specific influence, you should look at the development and history of your
chosen style as well as a range of contemporary practitioners.
As a group you should share a clear purpose and be working towards the same goals. It is
vitally important that as a group your aims are precise, shared by all members and are
appropriate to the style of theatre you are working in. It is an excellent idea to create a
statement of your aims and to revise and refine it at certain points during the process in
order to ensure everyone is able to self assess the work against the same goals.
You will all, as a group be responsible for developing the drama in an effective and
relevant manner. Your tutor will be able to support you through the process and offer help,
criticism and advice but you are expected to take responsibility for your own creativity and
be aware that over reliance on others for motivation or ideas could have an adverse effect
on your preparation grade. Equally, taking responsibility, motivating others, being self
reliant and self disciplined will have a positive impact on your grade.
Tip:
Devising can be challenging or frustrating and it is easy to slip into a habit of
discussing ideas. It is a really good idea to
set a group rule to limit discussion and
ensure that you are trying things out
practically instead.
Your ʻpreparation gradeʼ will form 25% of your mark for the project.
A2 Drama & Theatre Studies: Unit 4 Development of Devised Drama. Handout 1 - Overview
Your tutor will assess you on the basis of your contribution to the process which will give
you part of your final grade. They will consider:
• Whether you know what you are trying to achieve (dramatic intentions.)
• Whether you understand the style of theatre and show this in your work.
• Whether you show good judgement when evaluating your own/groups work.
• Whether you show good judgement when evaluating techniques and ideas you could use
from the work of others (live or video theatre performance.)
• Whether your own practical skills are well developed and rehearsed.
• Whether your own practical work meets the needs of your piece.
• Whether you meet deadlines, are reliable and deal with challenges and difficulties
maturely and responsibly.
Tip:
Your tutor will want to see your work at various stages of the process. Their
feedback will be invaluable in helping you reach higher grade, but if you arenʼt able
to show them the work, then they arenʼt able to help you.
Tip:
During any creative process there is potential for clashes of opinion - remember
that your tutor is an objective outside eye that can help you make decisions
provided you maturely explain or demonstrate the options.
Tip:
Look at your handout on devising techniques for inspiration and donʼt be afraid to
develop your own creative methods of working.
Tip:
A2 Drama & Theatre Studies: Unit 4 Development of Devised Drama. Handout 1 - Overview
Always remember - it doesnʼt matter who had an idea in the first place, itʼs how itʼs
developed that matters. The audience will see a group of actors and wonʼt care who
had what idea, only whether the drama is effective.
Though this section is called ʻsupporting notesʼ you should write in full sentences but taken
advantages of bullet points, lists etc where appropriate.
See the example of high grade supporting notes for clear guidance of the style you need
to adopt when writing this work.
Tip:
A2 Drama & Theatre Studies: Unit 4 Development of Devised Drama. Handout 1 - Overview
You should keep your own personal notebook or record during the project, so you
can reflect on the various stages of the process. This will not be marked, but will
aid you enormously in writing a strong
and detailed set of notes.
Tip:
Assessment objectives for the supporting notes section. (from exam specification)
Your written work must be submitted BEFORE the practical work. The moderator must
have access to your MARKED supporting notes therefore you must allow your tutor
adequate time to annotate them.
Your preparation grade could be effected by failing to complete written tasks to a suitable
standard such as evaluation or research as these are part of the process of developing a
piece of drama
FAQ:
- Q. Iʼve got a supporting role playing a chorus member and the narrator and my
group member is the lead character. Does this matter?
- A. No, not at all. Itʼs not who you are in the play or how much you are on stage that
matters, itʼs how you use the role you have got. A narrator or chorus could be the most
creative part of a play and outshine the central character.
Please note - If one of your group members writes a whole script at the beginning
of the project and you just rehearse and perform it, you are likely to fail. You may
use the potential writing skills of your group put this must be as part of a devising
process, not instead of it.
- Q. Can we do a musical?
- A. No, but you could create a piece of Epic or Physical Theatre that uses music and song
as a key part of it providing you can justify it through your research.