Clarification details
Updated December 2017. This clarification has been updated to address issues that have arisen from moderation.
Evidence for the ‘select’ component of the Achievement Criteria
Students should be working from an established text/script that supports the theatre form/period. This ensures authenticity in their approach and enables them to draw out layers of meaning relevant to the form.
For 'select', students need to provide evidence of their independent choices around the use of voice, body, movement and space that exemplify features integral to this form. A brief but thorough statement of intent shows that the student clearly understands the complex performance skills planned and their relevance to the theatre form. This does not constitute evidence beyond the Achieved grade.
For historical theatre forms or periods being assessed, an historical approach (rather than a contemporary variation) to the performance features is recommended. This ensures that the key physical and historical conventions of that form are authentically presented.
The link between the complex performance skill and its effect, compatible with the form or period, will influence effectiveness in performance.
Performance evidence
In translating the selected complex performance skills into action, students need to analyse the text carefully, so that the skills are emphatically chosen and clearly demonstrated.
At Merit, consistent skill is required to be sustained throughout the performance. This means sustained competence, purposefulness, clarity and refinement over the exemplification of the features of the form are evident.
At Excellence, the performance will be convincing and truthful to the theatre form/period, i.e. authentic, and the use of complex performance skills will enhance the performance and have impact. For example, an effective exemplification of features to evoke audience response for epic theatre will be very different to ancient Greek drama.
The level 3 annotated exemplars for 91515 use the contexts epic theatre and theatre of the absurd.