Drama 

Head of Department: Mrs I Wright

Drama in the 1st - 3rd years

Girls have a single period of Drama each week in the 1st year and a double period in the 2nd and 3rd years. In the first three years the following topics are covered:

GCSE Drama (Edexcel Examinations Board)

This course enables the students: to create their own drama through which they can communicate significant meanings; to explore issues using drama strategies and techniques; to respond to theatre and to interpret and perform play texts. They have the opportunity to be creative, to learn drama techniques and skills, to work constructively in teams, to develop sensitivity and insight into human situations and to grow in confidence.

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Drama and Theatre Studies in the Sixth Form (Edexcel Examinations Board)

Edexcel’s Drama and Theatre Studies specification is designed to provide a balance across a range of learning activities.  It combines exploring plays, creating theatre, the performing of plays, the analysis of theatre and the critical evaluation of all these elements.  Students completing the course successfully will have a thorough understanding of drama and theatre, highly toned analytical and creative skills and an ability to communicate effectively with others.

AS-level

The AS level focuses on working with plays, studying them from the point of view of a director, designer, performer and critic. The students acquire knowledge and understanding of the language of drama and theatre as well as developing their performing and analytical skills.  In addition to studying play texts the students will be taken to see a number of classical and contemporary theatre performances.

A-level

The second year of the course focuses on the students’ own creative work; they alternate the roles of playwright, performer/designer and director and apply their knowledge of different theatre forms gained during the AS course as they devise an original performance. 

In the role of director students are individual thinkers determining their own interpretation of the play. As informed critics they are required to make independent judgements in their analysis of the way other directors, designers, performers have applied their craft to the production of a play.

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REQUIREMENTS

It is useful to have taken Drama at GCSE but not essential.  A real interest in learning how plays and theatre communicate ideas and a desire to develop creative theatre skills are essential.

Recent Theatre Visits

Faustus at Windsor Arts Centre
Hamlet performed by the RSC at the Barbican
Stones in his Pockets at the Duke of York's Theatre
The Island at the Old Vic
Dr Faustus at the Young Vic
The Women in Black at the Fortune Theatre

Recent Study Visits

The Theatre Museum at Covent Garden
The Globe Theatre

LAMDA

Many girls have extra lessons in speech, drama, verse, prose and public speaking. They follow the LAMDA syllabuses and achieve excellent results in all grades up to and including Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals.

MUSIC-THEATRE

The Drama department works closely with the Music department to prepare girls for the London School of Music Music Theatre exams. This is a popular extra subject through which girls develop their performance skills.

ETON COLLEGE

St George's Drama department has a strong connection with Eton College, and senior girls are able to audition for parts in their plays and musicals.

Recent productions in which girls from St George's have taken part are: Hair, We Will Rock You, Grease, The Boyfriend, Guys and Dolls, Bugsy Malone.

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