Drama & Theatre Studies 

AQA

Content and Assessment overview

A-level Drama and Theatre is designed to give students an inspiring and hands-on experience of theatre. The course balances practical creativity with research and theoretical understanding, allowing students to learn through doing – by watching theatre, exploring plays practically, devising original work, and taking part in performances.

Students have the opportunity to specialise as a performer, designer (lighting, sound, set, costume, puppets), director, or even combine these roles. Whichever path they choose, they will develop valuable theatrical expertise as well as transferable skills that will benefit them far beyond the subject.

The qualification encourages students to:

• Engage with a wide range of theatrical styles and contexts.
  
  

• Develop creativity and imagination in interpreting set texts.
  
  

• Think independently when evaluating live theatre productions.
  
  

• Work collaboratively to devise and realise original ideas.
  
  

Assessment

The assessment approach is designed to be engaging and supportive, with exams and practical components that build students’ confidence. Each paper is structured to allow students to demonstrate originality, imagination, and analytical thinking, while ensuring that the results fairly reflect their achievements.

Progression

The course has been developed with input from higher education institutions, ensuring that students are well prepared for university-level study in drama and theatre, as well as a wide range of other subjects.

Transferable Skills

Alongside their theatrical training, students refine:

• Collaborative and communication skills.
  
  

• Critical and analytical thinking.
  
  

• Research and evaluative skills.
  
  

• Confidence, creativity, and maturity.
  
  

These skills equip students not just for further study, but also for future careers, giving them a strong foundation whatever direction they choose to take.

Component 1: Drama and theatre

What's assessed

• Knowledge and understanding of drama and theatre

• Study of two set plays, one chosen from List A, one chosen from List B

• Analysis and evaluation of the work of live theatre makers

How it's assessed

• Written exam: 3 hours

• Open book

• 80 marks

• 40% of A-level

Questions

• Section A: one question (from a choice) on one of the set plays from List A (25 marks)

• Section B: one three part question on a given extract from one of the set plays from List B (30 marks)

• Section C: one question (from a choice) on the work of theatre makers in a single live theatre production (25 marks)

Component 2: Creating original drama (practical)

What's assessed

• Process of creating devised drama

• Performance of devised drama (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)

Devised piece must be influenced by the work and methodologies of one prescribed practitioner

How it's assessed

• Working notebook (40 marks)

• Devised performance (20 marks)

• 60 marks in total

• 30% of A-level

This component is marked by teachers and moderated by AQA.

Component 3: Making theatre (practical)

What's assessed

• Practical exploration and interpretation of three extracts (Extract 1, 2 and 3), each taken from a different play

Methodology of a prescribed practitioner must be applied to Extract 3

Extract 3 is to be performed as a final assessed piece (students may contribute as performer, designer or director)

• Reflective report analysing and evaluating the theatrical interpretation of all three extracts

How it's assessed

• Performance of Extract 3 (40 marks)

• Reflective report (20 marks)

• 60 marks in total

• 30% of A-level

This component is marked by AQA.

Overview of the Course

A-level Drama and Theatre allows students to explore drama as a practical art form, where ideas and meaning are communicated to an audience through choices of form, style, and convention.

Throughout the course, students will:

• Create, perform, and respond to drama and theatre.
  
  

• Develop the creativity and independence needed to become confident and effective theatre makers.
  
  

• Explore the connection between theory and practice, working with a range of theatrical styles, periods, and cultural contexts.
  
  

• Learn how research, analysis, and live theatre evaluation can inform creative decisions and strengthen practical work.
  
  

• Gain first-hand experience of how theatre makers collaborate to bring a production from page to stage.
  
  

Course Structure

The subject content is organised into three main components:

1. Drama and Theatre – exploring set texts and developing analytical skills.
   
   

2. Creating Original Drama – devising and performing original work.
   
   

3. Making Theatre – applying practical skills in performing, designing, or directing.
   
   

For the practical components, students can specialise as performers, designers (lighting, sound, set, costume, or puppets), or directors, tailoring the course to individual strengths and interests.

Jodie Carney

Head of Drama Primary & Secondary