Drama

Based in the stunning Parabola Arts Centre, the Drama Department not only benefits from a beautiful 325-seat theatre but also a large number of rehearsal rooms. These are used for academic lessons and for LAMDA and Trinity Speech and Drama classes. In the main College building we also have a black box studio theatre, which is fully equipped with lighting and sound.

College's long theatrical tradition ensures students have many opportunities to enjoy acting in plays and studying performance. Many of the department staff have considerable professional stage experience either as performers or in stage management and design. The Parabola Arts Centre staff are all available to give students the opportunity to experience the reality of work in the performing arts.

Most students who choose to study the subject for formal examinations do so not to pursue a career on the stage, but to gain the transferable skills they learn through the subject.

The confidence to speak in front of a large audience and the teamwork involved in creating a production are applicable to a wide range of professions, whilst the literary and critical skills required in performance studies are useful preparation for careers requiring research and analysis.

There are four main productions each year ranging from the classics to modern plays. Some productions are open to all students and others are cast with students from particular year groups. On alternate years, the main school production is a piece of musical theatre. The technical crew is staffed by students under the guidance of the Theatre Technical Manager, and students can learn how to operate state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment.

There is an annual Open-air Shakespeare festival performed in the College grounds and directed by Sixth Form students. For the youngest students there is a very popular Drama Club, which also stages an annual production.

LC PROGRAMME

Students work in lessons to develop key skills in voice, movement, collaboration, and creativity. They complete a range of activities which provide an opportunity for every student to take part, including watching and evaluating live theatre performances.

UC PROGRAMME

The GCSE syllabus includes both practical and written work, with an emphasis on developing an appreciation of how meaning is communicated to an audience through performance and design skills. Students gain an understanding of acting, devising, directing, lighting, sound, set and costume.

SFC PROGRAMME

The A Level Drama Course builds on the GCSE and consists of a devised performance, a practical exploration of three texts of their choice and a written paper. Students explore theatre practitioners and gain valuable research skills alongside their practical understanding of how meaning is created for an audience..

The IB Theatre course is based on assessments, which are completed during the course and there is no final examination. Higher Level students take four assessments and Standard Level take three. There is a focus on learning about unfamiliar forms of theatre, world theatre, the range of skills required to stage a production, and individual and group performance.

Head of Subject

Mrs Revell, Head of Drama