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Text in Performance (Component 3)

7 dot points across 7 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How do you watch, record and evaluate live theatre, and how is that knowledge tested in the written exam?

Evaluating live theatre: watching professional productions, recording specific moments of performance and design, and analysing and evaluating their effect on an audience to inform exam answers and practical work, the live evaluation skill assessed under AO4 (with AO3).
How to watch and evaluate live theatre for WJEC A-Level Drama and Theatre: viewing professional productions as the specification requires, recording specific moments of performance and design, and analysing and evaluating their effect on an audience, the live evaluation skill assessed under AO4 with AO3.
13 min answer →

How do you answer the Component 3 Section A structured questions on a complete set text as a theatre maker?

Section A structured questions: answering shorter, structured questions on one complete set text by realising specified moments in performance through vocal, physical, spatial and design choices justified by audience effect, working open book with a clean copy (AO3 and AO4).
How to answer the WJEC Component 3 Section A structured questions on a complete set text: realising specified moments in performance through vocal, physical, spatial and design choices justified by audience effect, working open book with a clean copy, to earn AO3 and AO4.
12 min answer →

How do you plan and write the Component 3 Section B essay on a complete set text as a theatre maker?

Section B the essay: a single extended essay on a second complete set text from a different period, building a sustained directorial or design concept across the whole play and justifying staging choices by their effect on an audience, working open book with a clean copy (AO3 and AO4).
How to plan and write the WJEC Component 3 Section B essay on a complete set text: building a sustained directorial or design concept across the whole play and justifying staging choices by their effect on an audience, working open book with a clean copy, to earn AO3 and AO4.
13 min answer →

How do you answer the Component 3 Section C question on a printed extract from a third contrasting text as a theatre maker?

Section C the set extract: answering a question on an extract from a third contrasting text, printed in the paper, by realising the extract in performance with specific staging and design choices justified by their effect on an audience (AO3 and AO4).
How to answer the WJEC Component 3 Section C question on a printed extract from a third contrasting text: realising the extract in performance through specific staging and design choices justified by their effect on an audience, working from the extract supplied in the paper, to earn AO3 and AO4.
12 min answer →

What are the WJEC set text requirements, including the pre-1956 and post-1956 rule, and how should you study a set text for performance?

The set texts and the pre-1956 and post-1956 rule: studying two complete performance texts (one written before 1956, one after) for Sections A and B plus an extract for Section C, choosing from the WJEC lists, and studying each text as a script for performance rather than as literature (AO3 and AO4).
The WJEC Component 3 set text requirements: two complete performance texts (one written before 1956, one after) for Sections A and B plus an extract for Section C, chosen from the WJEC lists, and how to study each text as a script for performance to earn AO3 and AO4.
13 min answer →

How do you write about a text as a performer, a director and a designer, and what choices does each role make in the Component 3 exam?

Staging a text as performer, director and designer: making and justifying vocal and physical choices (performer), spatial and staging choices (director) and set, costume, lighting and sound choices (designer), each tied to the effect on an audience, the core skill across every section of Component 3 (AO3 and AO4).
How to write about a set text as a performer, director and designer for WJEC Component 3: making and justifying vocal and physical, spatial and staging, and set, costume, lighting and sound choices, each tied to the effect on an audience, the core skill across every section, for AO3 and AO4.
13 min answer →

How is the WJEC A-Level Drama and Theatre Component 3 written exam structured, and what does each section ask of you as a theatre maker?

Component 3 Text in Performance: a 2 hour 30 minute written examination in three sections on two complete set texts (one pre-1956, one post-1956) and a printed extract from a third contrasting text, answered as a theatre maker, assessing AO3 and AO4 across 120 marks (40 per cent).
An overview of the WJEC A-Level Drama and Theatre Component 3 Text in Performance written exam: the 2 hour 30 minute paper, its three sections on two complete set texts (one pre-1956, one post-1956) and a printed extract from a third, answered as a theatre maker, assessing AO3 and AO4 across 120 marks (40 per cent).
13 min answer →