Written exam · Edexcel

Edexcel Component 3

Theatre Makers in Practice (1hr 45mins | 60 Marks)

Match the role in the question

The Edexcel paper tests your ability to view a play from three distinct perspectives: Performer, Director, and Designer. The most common reason students lose marks is slipping into the wrong role. If the question asks you to be a Director, do not waste time talking about the exact color of the lighting gel!

The paper

Section A: Bringing Texts to Life (45 Marks)

You will answer these questions based on a printed extract from your chosen set text.

Section B: Live Theatre Evaluation (15 Marks)

You will answer two questions evaluating a piece of live theatre you have seen. You may take 500 words of notes into the Edexcel exam for this section.

Section A

Question 1a(i)

4 Marks

Performer · specific skill focus

What it asks: Explain two ways you would use either vocal or physical skills to play a specific character in the extract.

Question strategy: Read the question carefully! It will force you to choose EITHER vocal OR physical skills—do not mix them up. You need to provide 2 clear examples of that specific skill, and link each one to a reason (e.g., "I would use a sudden, sharp intake of breath to show my immediate panic").

Section A

Question 1a(ii)

6 Marks

Performer · full toolkit

What it asks: Suggest three ways you would use performance skills to show a specific emotion or state for a character.

Question strategy: For these 6 marks, give three examples with three reasons. Cover a useful range of skills: for example, one vocal choice, one physical choice and one use of proxemics or space.

Section A

Question 1b(i)

9 Marks

Director · production elements & context

What it asks: Discuss how you would use one of three provided production elements to bring the extract to life. You must refer to the context in which the text was created and first performed.

Question strategy: The exam will give you a choice of 3 specific elements (from Set, Staging, Lighting, Sound, Costume, or Props). You must choose just ONE. Crucially, Edexcel explicitly requires you to connect your directorial ideas to the historical context here (e.g., the 1912 class system for An Inspector Calls). If you don't mention context, your marks are capped!

Section A

Question 1b(ii)

12 Marks

Director · performance skills & whole play

What it asks: Discuss how you would direct the performers to explore a specific theme or mood, referring to the extract and the play as a whole.

Question strategy: This is where you direct the actors! Focus on their vocal skills, physical skills, and interaction/proxemics. Crucially, you MUST connect what is happening in this specific extract to the wider journey of the characters in the rest of the play.

Section A

Question 1c

14 Marks

Designer · design elements

What it asks: Discuss how you would use one of the remaining three design elements to enhance the production.

Question strategy: The paper will give you the 3 elements that weren't used in 1b(i). Choose ONE. Provide a detailed, highly specific design concept that enhances the extract for the audience. While you can mention context if it helps justify a design choice, your main focus must be on the practical application of design skills (color, texture, intensity, scale, etc.) to create an impact.

Section B

Question 2a

6 Marks

Analysis

What it asks: Analyze how a specific element (e.g., lighting, voice, or set) was used in a particular moment of the production.

Question strategy: Pick ONE specific, vivid moment (about 30 seconds of stage time). Do not summarize the plot! Describe exactly what happened with the required element. If it's lighting, describe the intensity, color, angle, and timing of the cue.

Section B

Question 2b

9 Marks

Evaluation

What it asks: Evaluate how successfully that same element created an impact on the audience.

Question strategy: Do not just copy out your 500 words of notes! You must answer the specific question on the paper. "Evaluate" means judging its success. You must use evaluative language: "This successfully forced the audience to realize...", or "The impact of this choice was staggering as it...".

Choose your exam board

Edexcel Component 3

Question 1a(i)

Question 1a(ii)

Question 1b(i)

Question 1b(ii)

Question 1c

Question 2a

Question 2b

Using a shared device?