Drama and Theatre Studies

Drama and Theatre Studies is an exciting subject which challenges students across the board. It enables girls to work creatively as performers, directors and designers, while encouraging them to manage projects and work as a team. We strive to develop and nurture enthusiasm for Theatre and Performing Arts, offering a variety of opportunities to take part in performance work including Drama Clubs, Seasonal Projects, involvement in the Whole School Production. We offer the subject at both GCSE and A-level.

At Key Stage 3, Drama follows a series of interactive projects using play texts, improvisation and storytelling techniques to develop interpersonal skills, social dynamics and communication. Our exceptionally popular Drama Clubs for both Upper 3 (Year 7) and Lower 4 (Year 8) run weekly during lunch breaks.

All girls are encouraged to take part in our many school productions both on stage and in technical roles including sound and lighting management, costume & set design, directing and producing. The yearly whole school production is open to students from Upper 4 (Year 9) to Upper 6 and is not only a fabulous event which showcases the talent and ability of our students but also is a chance for girls across the year groups to work together collaboratively. Productions have included musicals ‘Evita’ and ‘Jesus Chris Superstar’, both of which were performed at The Barnfield Theatre in Exeter.

GCSE

The GCSE course (Edexcel examination) offers an opportunity for performance work with practical exploration of different genres of theatre and theatre practitioners both old and new. Experiencing professional work is vital to personal progress and our many theatre trips make students aware of the work happening in British theatres today. We try, where possible, to forge links with professional companies and independent practitioners, including Frantic Assembly, Theatre Alibi, Pilot Theatre Company, Cygnet Drama School, and the Shakespeare for Schools Festival.