DSE Applied Learning
Practical Skills for DSE Success
Applied Learning Course
The Essentials of Theatre Arts
The Essentials of Theatre Arts is one of the Applied Learning (ApL) courses offered to senior secondary students as an elective subject within the senior secondary curriculum. In this course, student-centred learning and teaching activities are designed to engage students in a holistic experience to enrich them as people, drama artists, makers of drama / theatre, and theatre participants through the “Three Key Learning Processes: Performing, Creating and Appreciation”. It provides students with a comprehensive study of drama and theatre production as an art form and introduces them to the professional world of theatre, while developing their creativity, power of imagination, people skills and self-confidence. This course is conducted in Chinese.
Enquiries
For enquiries, please contact the ApL team at 6090 3412 or email at apl.excel@hkapa.edu
Starting from 23 February 2026, students can apply for the Applied Learning courses (Cohort 2026-28) offered by HKAPA through their secondary schools. For more details about the courses, please refer to the link below:
Cohort 2026 – 28
Student Selection Arrangement
Applicants will be invited to undergo a student selection process to ascertain their eligibility for the programme. The audition schedule will be announced via the Education Bureau platform or applicant’s secondary school. In the meantime, please pay attention to the following selection arrangements and fill in the required information:
Selection Procedure
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Online Questionnaire
Applicants are required to submit an online questionnaire form, which includes:
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Personal Information;
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Preference on class day and time;
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A Theatre Study Experience Form (if applicable); and
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A Other Performance Experience Form (if applicable).
Online Questionnaire Link (Chinese version only; applicants will have to sign in their Google account in order to submit the form)
2. Face-to-Face Audition
Applicants are required to attend a face-to-face audition on either 2 May or 9 May 2026 (Saturday). The audition schedule will be announced via the Education Bureau platform or applicant’s secondary school.
Registration venue: Lobby, 3/F, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
The audition includes:
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Presentation skills;
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Theatre Games;
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Improvisation
Remarks:
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Applicants are advised to arrive the registration venue 30 minutes before the scheduled time;
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Wear comfortable clothes for moving around as there will be theatre exercises and games as audition tasks;
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Considering the indoor temperature, it is recommended to bring a light jacket for the audition;
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Shoes off before entering studios.
Cohort 2025 – 27
Timetable
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Phase 1: September 2025 - June 2026 [Download]
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Phase 2: To be announced
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Phase 3: To be announced
Cohort 2024 – 26
Timetable
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Phase 1: September 2024 - May 2025 [Download]
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Phase 2 & 3: August 2025 - January 2026 [Download]
Notes for Learning Progress Report