Drama

Drama works on many levels: our emphasis is the aesthetic but we do not ignore the social aspects of our discipline and it is through this that we can foster the atmosphere from which great creativity can flourish.

We aim to offer a wide ranging and stimulating syllabus that encourages performance and an understanding of Drama. All students work solo, in pairs and in larger groups and are encouraged to realise the academic side of the subject, not just in a written sense, but also in a practical sense. We aim to ensure that every student that studies the subject has the opportunity to think of themselves as an accomplished practitioner of the dramatic art.

The department aims to create, understand and appreciate a variety of theatrical genres, alongside developing social and communication skills.  Students will explore the history of theatre from the Greek’s to contemporary performance practice through text and improvisation work. Whilst working on dramatic projects they will learn to work together imaginatively and cordially. This will enhance their negotiation skills and those associated with presenting an argument or an idea to their peers. Showing these performances to the rest of the class will improve their self-presentation and increase their confidence in this most necessary aspect of personal development. Working like this, students will also develop their voices for everyday and theatrical use, and learn to make the most of their capacities for physical expression.

Drama is based in the Antony Barnard Theatre, a 230 seat theatre with a green room, workshop and prop and costume store.

All students will develop skills in the following areas of drama techniques:

• Concentration
• Performance
• Discussion
• Pair-work
• Small group work
• Whole group work
• Spontaneous and prepared improvisation skills
• Status
• Dramatic shape/structure
• Character
• Dialogue
• Self discipline
• Audience awareness
• Independent learning
• Trust
• Creativity
• Teamwork
• Relationship between the individual and the group

Drama is a lively, active and practical subject taught to all students in the first two years of the Senior School. Drama gives the chance to explore, in a dynamic way, complex social, personal and artistic issues as well as the emotions and ideas of the individual. It provides time and space to step into the other man’s shoes and see things from his point of view.

In Year 9 students can choose Drama as one of their creative options and the course begins to focus more on the sort of work undertaken at GCSE, building towards two performances and the opportunity to explore design elements.

In addition to the course we aim to provide at least one opportunity per year for students in each year group to perform in a major production. Hundreds do and many more become involved in set-building, prop-making, lighting and sound as members of the Stage Crew.

Year 10

In Year 10 we follow the Eduqas GCSE Exam Board Specification

Michaelams Term

During the first term of Drama, students will explore their set text for the written exam from the perspective of a director, designer and actor with a range of practical exercises and written tasks. They will also develop their appreciation of live theatre by watching two performances and learning how to review them.

Lent Term:

During this term students will begin to work with script extracts and will learn group devising skills using theatre practitioners and a variety of genres to suit the individual students.

Performance skills should be reinforced throughout and students should now be developing a much stronger awareness of the audience in the work created and performed.

Summer Term:

During this term students will collaborate on mock performances of text and devised work in order to provide them with some performance experience in preparation for their exams in year 11.

Year 11

Michaelmas Term:

During this term students will devise a performance using an influential theatre practitioner for their Component 1 exam and write a creative log and evaluation of their performance. This requires students to take on a performance role or a performance support role (lighting, sound, set, costume or masks/make-up) in a group student devised play, based on a theme, selected by the examination board.

Lent Term:

During this time students will sit their Component 2 exam which is a performance of an extract of text. This requires students to take on a performance role or a performance support role (lighting, sound, set, costume or masks/make-up).

With the diverse range of theatre on our doorstep in London students are able to see a wide range of theatrical genres to practice their review writing skills for examinations and to inspire their practical work. GCSE classes will write at least one controlled assessment theatre review each term.

Workshops with professional theatre companies (such as Frantic Assembly and Splendid and Complicite) are arranged to develop students’ understanding of their working practices or theatrical genres.

Co-curricular work in Drama is seen as essential to the success of the department providing opportunities for all of our students to take part in performances if they wish to. Every lunch time and each night after school there is a rehearsal of some kind taking place in the Antony Barnard Theatre and frequently the dance studio too.

Each year there will be a range of opportunities for students to be involved in including:

• A Senior School musical
• A Lower School play
• A Middle School play
• The House Drama competition

• Mrs K Robinson BA MA (Director of Drama)
• Mrs S Mann BA
• Mr C Devellerez BA MA (Deputy Head Sixth Form)
• Mr J Jenkins BA (Hons) (Technical Manager)
• Mr E Collings (Theatre Technician)