Scholarship Drama - information for candidates

Information for:

• all Candidates
• the waiting-room Supervisor
• Drama teachers.

This information will help you to understand the examination procedure and to practise responding to instructions promptly. There will be no opportunity for reassessment.

You must wear plain, non-specific clothing, and perform to an imagined audience positioned near the camera; performance to the camera may distort the intended image.

Confirm with your Drama teacher what will be used as a warning signal.

On the day of the examination

Be in the waiting-room by 9.10 am.

Visit the toilet just before you arrive. You may leave the waiting-room only to go straight in to the performance space.

Candidates will be examined in Attendance Roll order. A "Working Copy of the Attendance Roll" and copies of this "Information for Candidates" sheet will be available in the waiting-room.

You may warm up until it is your turn to perform.

Each candidate's performances are expected to last between 20 and 30 minutes.

The Examination

The Examination Supervisor will take each candidate to the performance space.

At the Performance Space, hand to the Supervisor.

• an Annotated Script for Part 1
• an Annotated Script for Part 2
• a completed Teacher Authentication Form (PDF, 80KB).

Confirm your NSN number on the A4 plastic bag label, and ensure that the Supervisor places your documents in the bag and closes it.

The Supervisor will note your "Start Time" on the Attendance Roll.

The Performances

The camera and recording will be started, and not stopped until you have completed all three of your performances. The camera will NOT be touched during any part of the filming.

TEXT-BASED PERFORMANCE

1. The Supervisor will announce your candidate number e.g. "Candidate number 118678543."
2. The Supervisor will announce "Part 1, Text-based Performance - 5 minutes."

Begin with your oral introductory analysis. When you have completed it, say "Now I will perform" and then begin your performance.

You will give your oral introductory analysis, say "Now I will perform", and then perform.

1. At the end of 4 minutes 50 seconds, the warning signal will be given.
2. The Supervisor will stop you at 5 minutes - you must stop at once.

SELF-DEVISED PIECE

The Supervisor will say:

"Part 2, performance of self-devised piece - 6 minutes. I will read aloud the question to which you are to respond in your oral introductory analysis. When you have completed your oral introductory analysis, say, 'Now I will perform' and then begin your performance.'

You will give your oral introductory analysis, in response to the question asked by the Supervisor, afterwards say "Now I will perform", and then perform.

1. At 5 minutes 50 seconds, the warning signal will be given.
2. The Supervisor will stop you at 6 minutes - you must stop at once.

IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE

1. The Supervisor will say: "Here is the prescribed Impromptu Performance Task."
2. The Supervisor will read out the Impromptu Performance Task to you once , and then hand you a laminated copy of it. Do not ask any questions about it.
3. The Supervisor will announce: "Preparation for Impromptu Performance - 2 minutes."

You will prepare. You may use pen, paper and the laminated copy of the prescribed task while you prepare.

1. At 1 minute 50 seconds, the warning signal will be given.
2. At 2 minutes the Supervisor will:
   • take the laminated task, pen, and any used paper from you, tear up the paper and put it in the rubbish bin
   • announce: "Part 3, Impromptu Performance - 2 minutes".

You will perform.

1. At 1 minute 50 seconds, the warning signal will be given.
2. At 2 minutes, the Supervisor will stop you and invite you to the camera.
3. The Supervisor will announce: "You have 2 minutes to explain and justify your Impromptu Performance to the camera."

You will give your explanation and justification.

1. At 1 minute 50 seconds, the warning signal will be given.
2. The Supervisor will stop you at 2 minutes - you must stop at once.
3. The camera and recording equipment will be stopped.
4. Check with the Supervisor that your performances have been recorded. If they have been, sign the "Performance recorded" section on the bottom of the Teacher Authentication Form and date it.
5. Leave the Performance Room when instructed by the Supervisor, who will note your "Leaving Time" on the Attendance Roll.