Drama

Year 7

Autumn – Who Am I? Students learn the basic skills and techniques needed in performance through an exploration of evacuees. Students will develop an understanding of a character’s emotions and how to emanate these emotions.

Spring– Global citizens: Students will explore the written works of Roald Dahl in several styles of theatre including physical theatre, musical theatre and story-telling all whilst continuing to develop their basic drama skills and techniques.

Summer- Festival performance: In the final term, students explore the historical text of the Cornish Ordinalia. Students explore how to rehearse as an ensemble and create their own version of the play, experimenting with choral speech and movement, body as prop and creative staging.

Year 8

Autumn – Page to Stage: Students explore the role of both an actor and director looking at how a play is taken from page to stage. Students will explore Willy Russel’s play: Our Day Out and have opportunities not only to explore the performance side of theatre but the other roles including lighting and set designers.

Spring – Physical Theatre: Students apply Frantic Assembly’s techniques to a series of motifs in solo and group performances. This unit refines their skills in movement, expression and empathy. The lessons allow learners the opportunity to grow confidence in the art of communication using body and shape, without words.

Summer – Musical Theatre: The class immerse themselves into the world of Musical Theatre exploring the elements of the Broadway show Matilda. In this topic, students are able to explore dance and singing in order to showcase a wide variety of performance skills.

Year 9

Autumn – Theatre in Education: Students explore one potential career option in the performing arts by creating their own theatre in education company. Students explore the techniques needed in order to engage younger audiences and tech about the dangers of alcohol through theatre. Students also explore moral dilemmas and the consequences these important decisions can have.

Spring 1 – Scripted performance: The class study the play Blood Brothers through practical workshops, beginning with thematic work. As the sessions develop, students connect with the political and social climate of the play through characterisation.

Spring 2 – Devising: Students are presented with a stimulus pack containing lines from a wide range of plays. The project refines student’s abilities to devise theatre and performance, present character through physical and vocal expression and also to create and imagine a clear intention for an audience.

Summer – Film Making: Exploring yet another career option in the Arts, students take inspiration from the film Be Kind Rewind and use both their performance and film editing skills to recreate their favourite movies. This topic again allows students to explore the design elements of drama including costume, set and prop design.

Year 10

Autumn 1- Workshop exploration of text: Beginning the Pearson’s BTEC course, students begin the year with Component 2. In this term, they will explore an existing repertoire during workshops, which helps students to understand the context of the play and the skills required to perform. They will record their skills development using a logbook.

Autumn 2– Rehearsal and Performance:  Students will use the skills and techniques developed in the first half term and rehearse and perform and adaptation of the play selected. Students will be able to full explore acting styles, costume and set design to produce a professional standard performance.

Spring – Practical exploration of practitioners: Students will delve into the work of several practitioners including Konstantin Stanislavski, Bertolt Brecht, DV8, Artaud and many more. Students will explore the work of these practitioners in relation to several plays performed in relevant performance styles.         

Summer– Devising: In groups, students devise an original piece of theatre based on a selection of stimuli. This project encourages innovation and imagination. Students refine their acting and production skills as they create a play of their own design. Teamwork skills and communication are key for success in this project as the students autonomously devise their final piece.

Year 11

Autumn 1 – Devising Reflection: Students watch their filmed performances and self-evaluate as well as offering peer critique to each other. Constructively, students reflect on their developments and complete section 2 and section 3 of their working diary. The sessions encourage effective criticism and celebration of their performance successes. Students analyse and evaluate their use of physical and vocal skills in role.

Autumn 2 – Theatre roles and responsibilities: Students explore the different roles and responsibilities in the Performing Arts world of work. Pupils will explore how these roles differ between performance styles and relate this to the explorative work they have done with practitioners.

Summer – Theatre company devising: In groups, students are given a brief. Following this brief, they must create a performance of their own. Taking inspiration from the theatre styles, practitioners and devising work they have done, students must work together to create a professional performance that not only fits the brief but used a wide range of performance and design skills and techniques.