Key Extracts: Performer and Designer Routes
In Component 2 you present two key extracts from your play. Learn the difference between the performer route and the designer route, and how to choose the one that shows your skills.
Justify the choices, the way you are assessed
Free interactive practice on the decisions the assessment actually asks you to justify.
Start revising freeWhat you'll cover
Two extracts, two routes
In Component 2 you present TWO key extracts from your chosen play. You can take part as a performer, or contribute as a designer. This module covers the two routes, what each involves, and how to choose the one that shows your skills best.
Performer or designer
Four terms run through this topic. Learn them first.
Perform or design?
The two routes offer different ways to show your skills across the two extracts.
Support both extracts
Whichever route you take, your work must cover BOTH key extracts, not just one. A designer supports both extracts with their chosen area, and a performer appears in both. Choose the route that best shows your skills, and remember you are marked on AO2.
Match the term
- Key extract
- Performer route
- Designer route
- AO2
- A significant scene you present
- Taking part by acting
- Contributing costume, lighting, set or sound
- The objective Component 2 is marked on
How many extracts?
How many key extracts do you present in Component 2?
- Two
- One
- Three
- Five
Match the designer area
- Costume
- Lighting
- Set
- Sound
- The clothes a character wears
- How the stage is lit
- The scenery and objects on stage
- Music and sound effects
Designer areas
Which TWO of these are designer areas for Component 2? Choose all that apply.
- Lighting
- Sound
- Acting the lead role
- Learning your lines
Plan your route
Put the steps of preparing your Component 2 in order.
- Choose the performer or designer route
- Study the two key extracts
- Prepare your performance or design
- Present both extracts
Performer route or designer route
In Component 2 you present _____ key extracts from your play. You can take the _____ route and act, or the _____ route and design costume, lighting, _____ or sound. Either way you are marked on _____.
Weigh the written paper
In Component 3 of Edexcel GCSE Drama, Section A on the set text carries 45 marks and Section B on live theatre carries 15 marks. What percentage of the marks on the paper come from Section A?
Spot the designer work
Tap the TWO tasks that are designer work.
- Lighting the stage for a scene.
- Designing the sound and music.
- Playing the main character.
- Writing a brand new script.
Performer or designer?
For each task, decide whether it is performer work or designer work.
- Acting the role of the main character in both extracts. Which route is this?
- Choosing and making the costumes for the extracts. Which route is this?
- Designing the lighting to set the mood of a scene. Which route is this?
Explain the routes
Explain the performer and designer routes in Component 2 and how a student should choose between them.
- Describe the performer route
- Describe the designer route and its areas
- Explain how to choose the route that shows your skills