Performance Studies

This course prepares you for the OCR AS/A level in Performance Studies which is concerned with the following areas:

Performance Repertoire
Performance Styles and Genres
Performance Skills
Performance Processes

It is taught in our stunning performance studio which has sprung floor, mirrored walls, portable sound and lighting equipment and which can be split into four separate areas for group work.

There are 2 Modules at AS Level:

Module 1 – Creating Performance

In this module you will work in small groups to create and perform short pieces of dance, drama and music. You will develop your technical skills and knowledge of the main elements of each art form to devise a longer Community Performance that makes creative links between the art forms. You will also learn about the processes of Improvising, Rehearsing and evaluating Performance.

During the module you will take part in workshops where you will learn how to use key performance terms such as characterisation, motif and rhythm. The integrated piece must be of interest to a local community, previous performances have taken place at Nottingham Castle Gallery, The Galleries of Justice and Nottingham Market Square.

Assessment of this module is based on two elements: A 3000 word coursework essay in which you explore the links between the performances that you have made, and the practical performance of the integrated community piece which is assessed for both devising and performing.

Module 2 – Performance Contexts 1

This module involves exploring the work of the choreographer Lloyd Newson and the playwright Caryl Churchill. It is taught using video, film, discussion, research and practical exploration. We also take you to see live performances of the works when possible.

This module is examined by a 2 hour written examination.

The course has been running very successfully for over 10 years and we have achieved consistently very good results. Last year at AS the A-E pass rate was 96% and the A-C pass rate was 64%

N.B. Many of our students take this course alongside Drama & Theatre Studies.

There are a further 2 modules at A2 level:

Module 4 – Performance Contexts 2

We study Post Modern Approaches to the Performing Arts post 1960. For example, we explore the dance of Matthew Bourne, the theatre of Steven Berkoff and the music of Philip Glass. Again we use a variety of teaching and learning methods including DVD, visits to live performance, discussion and research.

This module is examined by a 2 hour written paper.

Module 5 – Performance Project

There are two parts to the Performance Project, which is assessed by a visiting examiner. The first, Performance Realisation requires you to perform an extract from the repertoire you have studied in either Performance Contexts 1 or 2. So you may perform a section of one of the plays you have studied or an extract of one dance you have studied.

The final part of this practical module is the Student-devised performance in which you work in groups to create an original piece of performance work that explores techniques and approaches learned during the course. You are given a list of ‘commissions’ from the exam board which you can choose from (with our help). Last year’s students produced some very successful integrated pieces around the story of Little Red Riding Hood, and Japanese musician Toru Takemitsu.

Results at this level are equally very good. At A2 level last year the A-E pass rate was 100% and the A-C pass rate was 84%.

There are currently two course teachers and we also bring in visiting workshops several times each year. For example, last year we enjoyed a brilliant drumming workshop and a visiting performance company provided workshops and a performance using the methods of Brecht.

Students who have completed the course in previous years have gone on to a wide range of higher education courses and careers in the performing arts. Last year students whose courses included both Performance Studies and Drama & Theatre Studies were accepted at Oxford and Cambridge Universities.