Content of A Level in Drama and Theatre (H459)

The OCR A Level in Drama and Theatre (H459) is designed to develop students' understanding of drama and theatre through practical and theoretical engagement with a range of plays, practitioners, and performance styles. The course is divided into three components: Devising (Component 01), Text in Performance (Component 02), and Theatre Makers in Practice (Component 03). Component 01 requires students to create an original piece of theatre based on a stimulus, using the techniques of a chosen practitioner. Component 02 involves performing two extracts from a published play, one as a monologue or duologue and one as a group piece. Component 03 is a written exam that tests knowledge of two set plays and the work of a live theatre production.

This qualification is crucial for students aiming to pursue drama, theatre, or performance at university or as a career. It builds skills in collaboration, creativity, critical analysis, and communication. The course encourages students to explore the relationship between theory and practice, understanding how theatrical choices convey meaning to an audience. By studying a range of practitioners—such as Stanislavski, Brecht, or Artaud—students learn to apply different methodologies to their own work, making them versatile theatre makers.

Within the wider subject of Drama and Theatre, this A Level sits alongside other creative arts subjects like English Literature or Music, but it is distinct in its focus on live performance and the practical application of dramatic theory. It prepares students for further study in drama schools or university courses, as well as for careers in theatre, film, television, and education. The course also develops transferable skills such as problem-solving, time management, and public speaking, which are valuable in any professional field.