HHS Drama

Drama

It is the intention of the Drama staff to offer students of the school the opportunity to explore this subject by using the criteria of creating, performing and responding. We explore many techniques to ensure students interpret and perform pieces of theatre whilst making connections with other subjects from the Performing Arts faculty. Every student will be expected to comprehend the components of the course by using both practical and academic methods. There is an expectation that students show high levels of commitment and motivation when studying this dynamic and vibrant subject.

Key Stage Three

Year Seven

During the first year of this subject students are expected to display the level of control and teamwork necessary for Drama. We consider the use of movement on stage and look at basic characterisation. The remainder of the year looks at the skills necessary to present a devised improvisation. Some lessons involve small or whole class dramas.

Year Eight

In Year Eight students we look at how to create focus for both the audience and the characters on stage. Stage positioning and its importance is constantly reinforced. The students then move onto to consider mime and perform these mimes with a good deal of skill and accuracy.

Year Nine

This year group will follow a scheme of work which follows a series of acting workshops. Character motivation, vocal and physical communication, given circumstances and subtext are all explored extensively. All students will use these skills in small group or solo activities.

Performing Arts Portfolio

All students will be asked to keep a Performing Arts Portfolio. They will be expected to log what they have learnt and what skills they have gained. This portfolio can then be continued into Key Stage Four.

The Key Stage Three curriculum is constantly reviewed and revised. It is intended that the same skills are taught within specific theatrical traditions such as commedia dell arte, melodrama, pantomime, Shakespeare and other drama conventions. It is hoped these reviews will provide a richer and more demanding curriculum.

 

 

Key Stage Four

Drama GCSE

This course will enhance your acting skills and your appreciation of theatre as an art form. You will be expected to take part in practical sessions and workshops almost every lesson. You will be given the opportunity to develop your skill as an actor by contributing to these sessions by exploring specific acting techniques. You must be able to work with other people and attend rehearsals after school in order to meet the requirements of this course.

Coursework
Scripted Performance 30%
Thirty percent of the course requires you to take part in a scripted performance. This script is chosen by the teacher. This play is then shown to an audience and an examiner. You will need to develop your character and be prepared to try a variety of new skills to accomplish high marks. Your ability to interpret the author’s intentions will also be measured.

Devised Performance 30%
After relevant explanation by the teacher you will be given the responsibility of creating and performing a play. Again this production is shown to an audience and an examiner. Your appreciation of theatre of as an art form is put to the test. This element of the course again requires rehearsals after school. It is vastly important that you are self motivated and can work effectively with others.

For each of these components you will be given a mark for how you have worked as a theatre collective and another mark for your acting skills. A final mark is given to an essay which compares your piece of drama to another play.

Written Exam 30%

You will be expected to go to the theatre during the course and write a theatre critique based on that performance. The written exam will test your ability to analyse the effects seen on stage. The department asks that all students attend and pay for the trips organised by the drama staff.

You will study the play Blue Remembered Hills by Dennis Potter. You will be expected to write an essay in the exam based on how you would portray the characters within the play. Lessons will be dedicated to the written element and a folder will be used to keep your notes for revision. Students will be asked to act out extracts of this play.

Drama GCSE should attract students who are prepared to take part in challenging practical workshops. It is therefore important that students on the course have a keen interest in developing their acting skill and showing these skills to an audience on a regular basis.  The written element of the course is crucial and must be considered before embarking on the course.

 

 

Applied Performing Arts Double GCSE

Applied Performing Arts is worth two GCSE grades. This intensive and vocational course allows you to develop your performing arts skills. You will be part of a production company which is given full control of creating and performing showcases or productions. These include the talent show, Christmas concert, main school production, and the remembrance service. You will be expected to take part in all of these performances

You must have a willingness to demonstrate your talents and be a self motivated member of a team. You will have production meetings and targets to meet every week. You have the choice of one or two of the following skills to enhance whilst on the course.

Acting: movement, choreography, improvisation, vocal skills and text work.
Singing: vocal skills, genres, characterisation, interpretation.
Dance: body awareness, centring, co-ordination, dynamics, spatial awareness, rapport.
Music: rhythm, timing, ensemble, solo, score reading, technical elements.
Music Technology: PA set up, keyboard, synthesisers.
Dj’ing: set up, mixing desks, creating sources, plan a set.
Lighting: lighting rig, gobos, colour, cue sheets, focusing, lighting desk.
Sound: public address, playback, sound effects, cue sheets, sound cues.
Stage Management: rehearsal schedules, organise cue sheets, run shows.
Set Designer: scale models, action plans, design a brief, colours, construction.
Costume Designer: accessories, design sheets, colours, costume construction.
Make Up: protheses, colours, design sheets.

You will be expected to keep a portfolio of evidence based on your chosen skill. This portfolio counts towards seventy percent of your final exam grade in the first year and second year. Most lessons are practical but there will be time for the extensive written element of the course to be completed. After two years you would have completed two portfolios.

You will be set commissions or briefs throughout the year. Your final brief will be a public performance in front of an audience. This exam is worth thirty percent of your final exam for both the single and double award. By the end of Year Ten you will be awarded a single GCSE.

To be successful on this course you must want to develop one or more of the above skills. You must also be prepared to write about your development in a portfolio and add to this document after every lesson. It is also important that you are prepared to work in a team throughout the year and perform or demonstrate your skill every lesson. You must also be prepared to take full responsibility for certain aspects of a production and meet the deadlines set by your colleagues and teacher.

 

Recognition of Achievement

The department uses specially designed stickers as merits which possess a code which can be used on www.mysticker.co.uk  The code can win prizes and convert the merits into points in order to keep track of their achievements. When a student receives three merits they are given a praise postcard which is addressed to the parents. If they receive ten merits they are given a Drama badge with the school’s performing arts emblem. These badges are also handed to students who take part in extra curricular performances. Gold badges are awarded to students who show a real commitment to the arts in school. For example, all students involved in the main school production were given a gold badge. Certificates of achievement are also awarded in conjunction with the badges for extra curricular or curriculum presentations.

Extra Curricular

Drama Club

This takes place on Thursdays after school. We reinforce what is learnt in lessons by asking members of the club to present their endeavours to an audience.

Main School Play

Auditions for the Main School Play begin in July and the performance takes place in November. The success of the last performance means that many students want to take part. Lines and songs must be learnt over the summer holidays and attending rehearsals is considered compulsory. It is a chance to take part in a large production which aspires to reach professional standards. It involves all the departments within the Performing Arts Faculty and is performed to the public and the school.

Shakespeare in the Dell

The school takes part in this outside festival every year. Again we plan to allow students the opportunity to take part in this festival, particularly the Year Seven cohort. The Royal Shakespeare Company host and funds the festival and the performance venue is the Bancroft gardens in Stratford Upon Avon. Students are also given the chance to work with representatives from the RSC during the rehearsal period.

Activities Week

This week allows students to work on a project as a year group. Last year allowed participants to chose either to acting, singing, dancing or work on the technical aspects of a performance. We also organise a theatre trip to a West End Theatre in London.

Teaching Spaces

The present Drama Studio and the Main Hall is scheduled to have new lighting and sound equipment installed. Moreover, the new custom-built Performing Arts building will offer state of the art facilities. It is hoped that we have Room A and the new build to ensure that all students have lessons with high quality facilities.

Drama is a growing subject within the school and plays an important part within the Performing Arts Faculty and school life. All students can help this department to develop.