Clifton College Website

Drama/Theatre Studies

One of the main goals of the Drama Department at Clifton is to provide all of our students with the opportunity to improve their self-confidence and communication skills as well as giving them a firm foundation in various aspects of performance. We aim to deliver a programme that is both challenging and enriching, with considerable emphasis placed on the collaborative nature of the performing arts. An exciting range of opportunities are available for students to become involved in all aspects of theatre art and the College has a reputation for presenting school productions of the highest calibre.

Director of Drama/Theatre Studies
Mrs Karen Pickles BA (Hons), BEd (Hons), NPQH
Teachers
Mr William Corrie BA (Hons) Mrs Jody Lewarne BA (Hons), LRAD, PGCE:DT, QTS

Teaching

In 2006 the Drama Department moved to a new home next to the Redgrave Theatre. There is a second Drama studio located in Hallward’s House and the Prichard Room is an additional, slightly larger, venue for rehearsals and movement work. The Redgrave Theatre provides an excellent venue for a range of school performances and two professional technicians support the development of technical skills within the theatre.

Drama forms part of the core curriculum for all students entering the College, reflecting the College’s commitment to educating the whole person. The programme allows students to examine a range of social, moral and cultural issues and explore their own responses to them through performance.

Drama is a popular option at GCSE (AQA Drama and Theatre Arts) and increasing numbers of students are choosing to follow the Theatre Studies courses offered at AS and A2 level. We also offer a play directing option in Sector E of the sixth form curriculum.

GCSE

See the gallery

The Drama GCSE (Fifth Form) group are working on their devised thematic topic in preparation for their practical examination at the end of the Michaelmas term 2010. The workshop was thoroughly enjoyed by all as they learnt techniques to bring their characters alive whilst wearing a mask. Mr. Joyce (a professional mask actor) brought the masks alive as he portrayed a variety of characters’ traits and movements.

The group will be performing their devised pieces on 25th November where they will be moderated for their GCSE and then a week later will taking their Silver medal LAMDA Devised Group examination. Their last devised group work was very successful and each received a high Distinction for their LAMDA Bronze and high marks for their practical work for GCSE. The performance is open to come along and enjoy – 5pm in the Music School!

Co-curricular Activities

In addition to the main productions that take place within the school calendar, there are a number of other Drama activities that encourage students to enjoy exploring the challenges of performance and learn more about the theatre. LAMDA is thriving and a large proportion of entrants received Distinctions and Merits last year; 2010 figures are equally impressive.

As part of Clifton in the Community, our 'Theatre In Education' group travels to local primary schools to stage short performances for younger students. Students are also encouraged to get involved in technical work in the Redgrave Theatre, where possible.

The academic curriculum is supported by an extensive calendar of theatre visits including regular trips to London, Stratford, Cardiff and a range of theatres in Bristol and Bath. The region has a flourishing theatre scene and our students are encouraged to experience a broad range of theatrical forms for personal enrichment and to support their curriculum studies.

Productions

Various productions are staged each year within the College. The main school production is in November and rehearsals take place through the first eight weeks of the Michaelmas term.

In the Lent term, the House Drama Festival sees each house mounting a full-scale dramatic piece, directed, supported and acted entirely by pupils: ten productions in all, and usually involving approximately half the student body.

The Junior play is performed the weekend prior to Commemoration weekend (in May) and is for pupils in their first two years in the Upper School. There are also opportunities for GCSE and A level students to perform devised and scripted pieces at various points throughout the year and this year saw the revival of the sixth form play which took place just after the summer Half term. There is much scope for students to get involved in different types of theatre, whether it is performed in the Redgrave Theatre or ‘site-specific’.

House Play Festival 2011

House Play Festival 2010

House Play Festival 2009

House Play Festival 2008

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