Drama
Drama Holiday Incursion
Our recent holiday Drama Incursion was a resounding success, leaving students inspired and eager for more theatrical adventures. Spanning two action-packed days, the event offered a rich blend of workshops led by industry professionals, providing students with invaluable skills and unforgettable experiences. Esteemed practitioners from Belvoir, Bell Shakespeare, Sport for Jove, and Action Academy shared their expertise, making the incursion a truly enriching experience for our eager drama students.
Belvoir – Building a Character
The day started with a transformative session on “Building Character” facilitated by Belvoir’s education coordinator – Claudia Ware. Claudia led a series of dynamic exercises activities that explored energy levels, inside-out character development, hot seating, and paired scene work. Students learned to fully embody unique characters by focusing on physical and psychological traits, projecting energy, and interacting with others. Claudia’s expert guidance and engaging activities provided students with invaluable tools for character creation, significantly enhancing their acting skills and deepening their appreciation for the art of performance.
Belvoir – Monologues
Next, Claudia led the group through an in-depth monologue workshop where students learnt the art of dissecting text into small, actionable units and beats. They explored foundational skills including given circumstances and character objectives, using physical exercises to embody characters’ emotional journeys and learning how to heighten dramatic tension. Providing individualised feedback, Claudia added complexity and depth to the work of our students, who bravely put themselves on the line for creative critique.
Bell Shakespeare
The Shakespeare workshop was facilitated by Bell Shakespeare’s resident artists Emily and Cat. Students participated in dynamic activities embodying famous Shakespearean lines through movement and action. The “Radioactive Richard” game added excitement and teamwork, with complex variations to keep students on their toes. They created imaginative tableaux, bringing scenarios and objects to life, and competed in a high stakes rap battle using Shakespearean insults. The workshop culminated in group performances of “All the World’s a Stage,” focusing on creating vivid images through ensemble choreography, and leaving students with a deeper appreciation of Shakespeare’s timeless works.
Sport for Jove
The Sport for Jove workshop, led by George and Max, began with a lively warm up and observation activity focusing on attention to detail and physical expression. The workshop then shifted focus to the prologue of “Romeo and Juliet,” where students read, unpacked, and broke down text into unified chorus lines, working on rhythm, pace, energy, and projection.
Finally, students engaged in rehearsal-style performance using extracts from Shakespeare’s famous plays, allowing them to develop their directorial skills with authenticity and immediacy. This hands-on approach deepened our students’ understanding of Shakespearean text and boosted their confidence. The session culminated with students performing their scenes and refining their performance skills through live feedback from our Shakespeare professionals.
Musical Theatre Workshop with Kate and Maggie
The Musical Theatre workshop with our very own Kate and Maggie kicked off with a vocal warm-up focusing on vowels, breathwork, and choral rounds. Students were then guided through the soprano and alto lines for “Hard Knock Life,” where Maggie emphasised skills in rhythm and vocal dynamics. The focus was on developing two-line harmonies and characters appropriate to the performance style. Next, Kate choreographed the accompanying sections of movement, keeping our girls physically fit enough to dance a routine while maintaining vocal clarity.
The workshop emphasised the integration of vocal performance and choreography, teaching students how character development and song style contribute to a cohesive performance. Students performed the learned sections in small groups, receiving feedback that allowed them to refine both their singing and dancing. This immersive experience in musical theatre left students with improved skills in harmony, rhythm, and characterisation, preparing them for future performances.
Action Academy: Stage Fighting
Finally, we hosted a stage fighting workshop, facilitated by Action Academy specialists Blake and Lauren. The session began with a discussion of fight choreography from an industry perspective, highlighting roles such as stunt doubles and key skill specialists, as well as comparing techniques used in film versus theatre. Emphasising safety and partner awareness, Blake and Lauren taught students how to create the illusion of internal struggle in fight sequences, with tips and tricks on how to make sure the victim, rather than aggressor, controls the action. The workshop also covered punches and uppercuts, demonstrating techniques to safely execute these moves while using effective sound and distance skills to complete the illusion. This comprehensive session left students with a deeper understanding of stage combat, enhancing their performance skills while prioritising safety and realism.
A huge thank you to all our expert theatre practitioners, and our drama students for their creativity and bravery!
Rebecca York
Co-curricular Drama Co-ordinator