Performance Studies

OCR

Learning in Performance happens through doing. You will work using a range of styles to explore texts and practitioners through practical work in groups to help you develop your analytical skills, imagination, creativity and sensitivity. You will integrate the disciplines of music, drama and dance, working both individually and in groups.

At Paston you can join Far East Theatre, our student theatre company which presents at least two productions a year and tours schools and professional venues. You can take Performance Studies alongside science, arts or humanities subjects.

Performance skills are seen as an asset by employers for any career involving communication and working with people. Students have gone from this course to study Drama, Theatre Studies, Dance, and Performing Arts at universities such as London (Royal Holloway and Bedford Colleges), Lancaster, Brighton, Hull, Winchester and the Central School of Speech & Drama, London. Former students now work in a wide variety of careers ranging from advertising, TV and journalism to social services, the police and teaching.

AS Performance Studies

In AS Performance Studies you will:
• Create short performances in drama, dance and music. You will also create a longer piece that has elements of all three art forms, which has a community focus and will be performed at a venue in the community. These are accompanied by a written commentary on the practical work.
• Study the work of the English dance theatre practitioner Matthew Bourne and see a live production.
• Study the play ‘Bouncers’ by the Northern playwright John Godber and perform short extracts.

Assessment

Coursework and a written examination.

Entry requirements

A minimum of BBCCC at GCSE including English/English Language, and Mathematics or a science. Previous study/experience of Performance is helpful but not necessary; a willingness to experiment using drama, dance and music is essential.

A2 Performance Studies

In A2 Performance Studies you will build on your work at AS level. You will:
• Study 9 different performance pieces and analyse how they have contributed to post-modern styles in the performing arts since 1960.
• Create a performance based on one of the works that you have studied. This may be in music, dance or drama or a combination of these art forms. You can work solo or in a group.
• Devise a performance produced in response to a commission. You will work in a group to devise and perform the piece. Your teacher will guide and support you but not direct the piece.

Assessment

One written and one practical examination.