General Skills Developed
- Team building and interaction skills
- Problem solving and idea creation
- Devising skills and strategies
- Memory skills
- Technical design skills
- Vocal skills
- Physical performance skills
- Confidence building
Engagement & Extension
- Lunchtime clubs, rehearsals and clinics
- Extra-curricular productions (Years 7 & 8, Years 9 & 10 and Sixth Form)
- LAMDA classes (at additional cost)
- Residential trips – performance (such as Edinburgh Fringe) or workshop (NYC tour)
- Regular theatre trips to watch live performance
Progression Beyond School
- Higher studies in Theatre, Drama, design/technical arts or combined courses at university, drama schools and conservatory institutions
- Backstage/technical/design career pathways
- Performance pathways
- Education pathways
- Drama therapy pathways
Introduction
The Drama curriculum across years 7, 8 and Shell is designed to provide an opportunity for all students to excel regardless of their dramatic interests or abilities. Each year follows a similar pattern of topics and skills, increasing in complexity and maturity as the years progress such as, exploration of a scripted text and development of dramatic skills like mime and speech giving. This allows students to build on pre-existing knowledge, develop towards the GCSE programme and learn a variety of transferable skills which will benefit them across all their subjects and beyond.
Course Content
- Scripted performance (Year 7 – "Rainbow’s Ending", Year 8 – "Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations" and Shell – "DNA")
- Evaluation of own work, of others work and of live theatre
- History of theatre
- Social exploration – Amadora (immigration, refugees, social integrations)
- Character development
- Commedia dell’arte
- Devising and Design Project
- Speech giving
Introduction
GCSE Drama allows all students to explore their creativity and develop a deeper understanding of how we communicate to audiences through theatrical techniques. They will practically explore both scripted and devised performance and analyse the effect they were able to create. Students will also begin building a better understanding of the technical and design elements of theatre and how these can be used to enhance an audience’s experience.
Course Content
Topics include:
- Exploration of Set Text – "The Crucible or "Noughts and Crosses"
- Theatrical Staging
- Understanding theatre job roles
- Theatrical design – set, costume, lighting and sound
- Creation and performance of original theatre
- Exploration and performance of scripted text
- Analysis and evaluation of your own work
- Analysis and evaluation of live theatre
Exam Board - AQA
Practical
Coursework
Written Examination
Introduction
Our A Level Drama course builds upon the skills developed at GCSE whilst encouraging students to explore a range of practical and theoretical approaches from script to performance. This encourages students to develop the ability to apply practical skills effectively and to analyse and evaluate both their own work and the work of others. Students will practically explore set text and create original devised and scripted theatre with a connection to the work of theatre practitioners and chosen stimulus themes. These skills, whilst enabling them to achieve within the course, are also highly transferable; helping students in other subject areas, and equiping them for higher education or employment.
Course Content
This course consists of four components: two completed in Lower Sixth and two in Upper Sixth.
Component 1: An open book written exam which assesses the students knowledge of two set texts. This explores acting, directorial and design approaches to the text.
Component 2: A practical exploration of both a devised piece based on a prescribed stimulus and a scripted performance from a published play.
Component 3: A practical exploration of a theatre practitioners work combining in a group devised performance with a written coursework analysis/evaluation and a solo devised piece in the same style.
Component 4: A research essay exploring the work of a chosen theatrical style, practitioners work or a particular genre.
Exam Board - Cambridge International
Practical
Coursework
Written Examination
Introduction
Theatre is a dynamic, collaborative and live art form. This practical subject encourages discovery through experimentation, the taking of risks and the presentation of ideas to others. It results in the development of both theatre and life skills; the building of confidence, creativity and working collaboratively. The IB Diploma Theatre course is a multifaceted theatre-making course of study. It gives students the opportunity to make theatre as creators, designers, directors and performers. It emphasises the importance of working both individually and collaboratively as part of an ensemble. It offers the opportunity to engage actively in the creative process, transforming ideas into action as inquisitive and productive artists.
Course Content
Topics include:
- Drama theorist research and exploration
- Practical exploration and directorial development of a set text of their choosing
- Theatrical design – exploring the creation of creative ideas through each design element
- Understanding theatrical context to develop and enhance performance
- Creation and performance of original theatre
- Analysis and evaluation of your own work (performance and process)
- Exploration, development and analysis of a world theatre tradition