Drama

Meet Our Teachers!

Introducing Tahmara Thomas

Tahmara Thomas is one of our co-curricular Drama teachers who works tirelessly in a variety of classes, including Drama Skills and Eisteddfod Drama classes. Since leaving school, she has continued her passion for drama through acting and writing for shows, film, and documentary creation both nationally and internationally.

What made you love drama?

Growing up, I was incredibly shy. Someone who would always rather be in the background.  But drama changed that. It gave me a voice and a means for self-expression. It’s given me so much confidence that has extended to other aspects of my life.

Drama isn’t just about acting; it’s about understanding people. You have to step into someone else’s shoes, feel their emotions, and bring their story to life. Through that process, you learn so much about human behaviour, communication and empathy.

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

I absolutely adore teaching. My favourite part about teaching is being in the privileged position of witnessing a student’s growth, confidence and self-discovery in real-time. One of the most magical moments is when a student starts out hesitant, unsure of themselves. They have a spark of an idea, and then, with a little encouragement, they take that first step. They explore, and suddenly, they transform. Watching a student who was once nervous come alive on stage, owning their moment – there’s nothing quite like it.

What is the most important thing you have learnt from a student?

Teaching is such a two-way street. The more I teach, the more I learn. If there’s one thing they’ve taught me above all else, it’s the sheer power of courage. Drama is one of those things where you really have to leave your inhibitions at the door. I’ve seen students push past their fears and step into roles that feel so unfamiliar. They are resilient and just do the things that feel scary. There is a lot of vulnerability that comes with getting up on stage and it’s very powerful to see. Especially the students who are new to drama – to see them just have a go and put themselves out there during Centerstage – it’s just amazing.

What are you focusing on in classes?

Right now, we’re exploring a range of drama techniques that not only enhance performances but also build skills that extend beyond the stage.

On the performance side, we’re focusing on vocal variety – learning how to use pitch, pace and tone to bring dialogue to life. We’re also working on soundscaping to create atmosphere and looking at tableau work, creating frozen images that help with the devising process. We’re delving into characterisation – how to inhabit a character rather than just play one.

We are also working on other transferable skills that can be used far beyond drama. Skills like voice projection, eye contact and body language work, and articulation. These skills don’t just make students better performers; they make them stronger communicators. These lessons can help with interviews, presentations, self-advocacy and more.

We look forward to introducing you to many more incredible teachers from the co-curricular Drama program over the coming months!

Drama Shirts

We would like to let you know that Drama shirts are once again available from the uniform shop and that they are being implemented this year as part of the Drama uniform for all co-curricular classes.

Rebecca York

Co-curricular Drama Co-ordinator