At St Edward’s, our Drama course immerses students in the dynamic world of theatre through both practical performance and theoretical study. Students will develop their acting and production skills, create original pieces, and critically analyse influential works. Emphasizing creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, this course prepares students for further education and various career paths in the arts. By the end, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the theatrical process and enhanced abilities in drama and theatre.

Why Study A Level Drama & Theatre?

Studying A Level Drama and Theatre with OCR offers students a unique opportunity to delve into the creative and expressive world of theatre. This course not only hones performance and production skills but also fosters a deep appreciation for the art form through the study of influential plays and practitioners. Students gain valuable experience in teamwork, communication, and critical analysis, which are highly transferable skills applicable to a wide range of careers. Additionally, the course encourages creativity, confidence, and self-expression, making it an excellent foundation for further education in the arts or other disciplines. Whether aspiring to a career in theatre or simply looking to develop a deeper understanding of drama, this course provides a comprehensive and enriching experience.

Course Contact

Mrs Lauren Keene
Head of Performing Arts

Course Content

Devising Theatre (Component 1)

Coursework: 40% of the A Level
Content:
Students will create an original piece of theatre.
The devising process is inspired by a stimulus and influenced by the work and methodologies of one theatre practitioner or theatre company.
This component includes a written portfolio documenting and reflecting on the devising process and performance.

Text in Performance (Component 2)

Coursework: 20% of the A Level

Content:

Students will perform a monologue or duologue from a scripted play.
Additionally, students will perform as part of a group in a play extract.
This component assesses performance skills and the ability to interpret and present a scripted text.

Theatre Makers in Practice (Component 3)

Written Exam: 40% of the A Level

Content:

Section A: Live Theatre Evaluation: Students will analyse and evaluate a piece of live theatre they have seen.
Section B: Page to Stage - Realising a Performance Text: Students will explore how a performance text is interpreted and brought to life in performance, from page to stage.
Section C: Interpreting a Performance Text: Students will study one complete performance text and explore how it can be adapted for a contemporary audience, considering the work of the original playwright and the influence of a chosen practitioner.

This structured approach ensures that students gain practical experience in performing and creating theatre, alongside critical and analytical skills through the study of texts and live theatre.

Where can this take you?

A Level Drama & Theatre course can lead to various opportunities in higher education and diverse career paths. Many students pursue degrees in drama, theatre, or related arts, while others branch into fields such as media, literature, or cultural studies. Career prospects include performing arts roles like acting, directing, and playwriting, as well as positions in film, television, education, technical theatre, and arts administration. The course also imparts valuable transferable skills in communication, teamwork, creative problem-solving, and critical analysis, which are applicable in numerous professions such as public relations, marketing, project management, and research.

Student Destinations

St Mary's University Medical School - Medicine
Royal Holloway University - Drama and English
Guildford School of Acting - Musical Theatre
London School of Musical Theatre - Musical Theatre
Central School of Speech and Drama - Production

Key information

Download Entry Requirements

Student Testimonials

"Studying Drama at St Edward's School was a transformative experience that built my confidence and teamwork skills. Our teacher encouraged us to take creative risks and think critically, which was helpful across all my subjects. This early exposure sparked a passion for theatre that I’m excited to explore further in the future. The transferable skills are invaluable and has made me such a more confident, happier person."

KS5 Drama student