Dramatic Arts theory
Tuition in Dramatic Arts theory for IEB and DBE learners and Cambridge Drama candidates, from a teacher who studied Speech and Drama at university and taught it for more than three decades.
Dramatic Arts is one of the National Senior Certificate subjects offered at both IEB and government schools. Learners are assessed on practical work, such as performance, and on a written examination. The written paper requires close knowledge of prescribed plays and of theatre history, and the ability to write about them in essays and structured answers.
The theory paper
The written paper is set by the IEB or by the DBE, depending on the learner’s school, and the prescribed plays depend on the examining body and the year. Amanda also teaches the theory for Cambridge IGCSE Drama and Cambridge International AS Level Drama.
What lessons cover
Lessons depend on the learner’s syllabus and prescribed plays. They might include, for example:
- Prescribed plays. Reading the text closely, and understanding its context, themes, characters and staging.
- Theatre movements and history. The ideas and conventions of the movements on the syllabus, and how they appear in particular plays.
- Essay writing. Planning and writing an argued essay on a play or a movement.
Amanda’s background in drama
Amanda studied Speech and Drama at the University of Natal for her BA and Higher Education Diploma. She taught Speech and Drama at St Mary’s DSG, and extracurricular Speech and Drama at Highbury for 32 years. She later taught Speech and Drama as an academic support subject at St Mary’s DSG. She has also successfully prepared learners for international Trinity College eisteddfods.
Much of the written paper is literary analysis applied to plays. Amanda’s background as an English teacher and head of department, with an honours degree in English Language and Literature, is directly relevant to it.
Groups and individual lessons
Learners studying the same prescribed plays can work together in a group, in Hillcrest or online. One-to-one lessons are available for learners who need focused help with essay writing or with particular texts.
Questions parents ask
Frequently asked questions
Do you teach the practical side of Dramatic Arts?
Lessons focus on the theory and the written examination. Practical work, such as performance and technical theatre, is taught and assessed at school.
Is Dramatic Arts the same as Speech and Drama?
No. Dramatic Arts is a matric subject that counts towards the National Senior Certificate. Speech and Drama is usually an extracurricular subject with its own graded examinations. Amanda has taught both.
