Drama
Key skills (subject specific) that are developed:
Drama education at All Saints Catholic School aims to provide students with a range of skills related to theatrical arts, fostering creativity, collaboration, and self-expression. Here are some of the skills that students will learn during their time with us:
- Acting Techniques:
- Developing fundamental acting skills, including voice projection, diction, and physical expression.
- Exploring different acting methods and approaches.
- Character Development:
- Learning how to create and portray distinct characters.
- Understanding the psychological and emotional aspects of character development.
- Script Analysis:
- Analysing and interpreting scripts to understand characters, themes, and plot.
- Studying different dramatic structures and styles.
- Improvisation:
- Developing the ability to think on one's feet and create spontaneous scenes.
- Improving creativity and adaptability through improvisational exercises.
- Stage Presence:
- Learning how to command attention and engage with an audience.
- Developing physical and vocal techniques for effective stage presence.
- Collaboration and Ensemble Work:
- Working collaboratively with peers in the creation and performance of theatrical works.
- Understanding the importance of teamwork in a theatrical production.
- Stagecraft:
- Gaining basic knowledge of stage design, lighting, sound, and props.
- Understanding the technical aspects of producing a play.
- Directing Skills:
- Exploring the principles of directing, including blocking, pacing, and character direction.
- Understanding the director's role in shaping a production.
- Theatrical History and Appreciation:
- Studying the history of theatre and its evolution over time.
- Analysing the contributions of significant playwrights, directors, and actors.
- Critical Thinking and Analysis:
- Developing the ability to critically analyse performances, scripts, and theatrical concepts.
- Understanding the impact of theatre on culture and society.
- Auditioning Skills:
- Learning how to prepare for and participate in auditions.
- Understanding the expectations and etiquette of the audition process.
- Adaptability and Resilience:
- Building resilience and adaptability, as live performances may require adjustments on the spot.
- Developing problem-solving skills in the context of theatrical production.
These skills not only contribute to a student's understanding and appreciation of Drama but also provide a foundation for effective communication, personal character development, confidence, creativity, and collaboration in various aspects of life.
Performing Arts
All Saints Catholic School has a thriving Performing Arts faculty that aims to challenge and stretch the students, not only as performers but as individuals through the disciplines of Drama and Music.
The faculty is an inclusive, stimulating environment in which students are encouraged to fulfil their potential by way of acquiring and developing new skills and experiences within the framework of explaining, improvisation, rehearsal and performance.
The Performing Arts are a powerful tool that helps students understand the world they live in whilst nurturing self-confidence and strengthening their spiritual, moral and cultural awareness and creativity. An enjoyable and varied curriculum is compulsory at KS3 with students participating in 200 minutes of Performing Arts lessons per fortnight.
KS4
Summary
Drama is an extremely popular option choice at All Saints Catholic School with students participating in 5 hours of drama per-fortnight. Students study the Edexcel GCSE drama syllabus in which students explore a whole variety of themes, stimuli and topics that aim to develop and build their academic knowledge along with performance skills creating a well-rounded performer.
Students are assessed practically through their practical drama work, coursework and then sit a final written exam. The breakdown of the course click on the following link:
GCSE Drama allows students to develop not only their performance skills, but also their group working skills as well as building their cultural capital. Previous Drama students have gone on to study at top universities and into a diverse range of careers, from nursing to teaching, performance to law and many more.
Transferable Skills in Drama:
Drama education fosters a range of transferable skills that extend beyond the stage, contributing to personal and professional development. Some key transferable skills cultivated through drama include:
- Communication Skills:
- Expression of ideas, emotions, and narratives enhances verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Teamwork and Collaboration:
- Ensemble work in drama encourages cooperation, collaboration, and the ability to work effectively within a group.
- Confidence and Presentation Skills:
- Regular performances build confidence, poise, and effective presentation skills in front of an audience.
- Critical Thinking and Analysis:
- Analysing scripts, characters, and performances develops critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Creativity and Innovation:
- Drama encourages creative thinking, problem-solving, and innovative approaches to storytelling and performance.
- Adaptability and Flexibility:
- Improvisational exercises enhance adaptability and the ability to think on one's feet in various situations.
- Empathy and Emotional Intelligence:
- Portraying diverse characters fosters empathy and emotional intelligence, enhancing interpersonal skills.
- Time Management:
- Preparing for performances requires effective time management and organizational skills.
- Resilience and Perseverance:
- Overcoming challenges in rehearsals and performances builds resilience and perseverance.
- Self-awareness:
- Reflective practices in drama encourage self-awareness, helping individuals understand their strengths and areas for improvement.
- Cultural Awareness:
- Exploring diverse scripts and theatrical traditions promotes cultural awareness and sensitivity.
- Leadership Skills:
- Taking on directing or leadership roles within a drama production develops leadership and decision-making abilities.
- Problem-solving:
- Negotiating and resolving issues that arise during rehearsals or performances hones problem-solving skills.
- Memory and Concentration:
- Learning lines and cues improves memory and concentration.
- Effective Listening:
- Engaging in ensemble work and responding to cues sharpens active listening skills.
These transferable skills acquired through drama education can benefit individuals in a variety of fields, including communication-focused professions, leadership roles, and any situation that requires creativity, adaptability, and effective interpersonal skills.
Additional reading:
https://www.franticassembly.co.uk/about - From a reckless leap into the unknown 25 years ago, Frantic Assembly has developed into one of the UK's most successful and best loved theatre companies.
https://kneehighcookbook.co.uk/ - From their home in Cornwall, Kneehigh have built a reputation for creating vigorous and popular theatre for audiences throughout the UK and beyond. The cookbook is their digital education online platform and is a unique experience.
https://www.digitaltheatreplus.com/education - An online platform which houses a collection of performances, as well as a series of guides, essays and commentaries in all aspects of Performing Arts.
Co-Curricular
Co-curricular Drama and Music play an important role within the life of All Saints Catholic School. Alongside the traditional subject interventions held for both GCSE Drama and Music, and our KS3 Drama club, we have various performance events such as our magical Carol Service and Summer Showcase.
Our annual school production has become an exciting and much anticipated event in the All Saints calendar. This over-subscribed performance project begins each September with open auditions and culminates in a full-scale production in mid-February. Students and staff from many areas of the school play their part to ensure each year is bigger and better than the last.
Extra-Curricular
Extracurricular Drama and Music plays an important role within the life of All Saints Catholic School. Alongside the traditional subject interventions held for both GCSE Drama and Music, and our KS3 Drama club, we have music events such as our magical Christmas Concert and Drama and Music Showcase Evenings.
Our annual school production has become an exciting and much anticipated event in the All Saints calendar. This over-subscribed performance project begins each September with open auditions and culminates in a full-scale production in mid-February. Students and staff from many areas of the school play their part to ensure each year is bigger and better than the last.
