Drama

We are a vibrant and engaging department that seeks to get everyone involved and to help girls to develop in the areas they’re most interested in – from on-stage drama to lighting and set design.

The emphasis in the curriculum is on acting skills and effective communication, but design and technical skills are also addressed throughout Key Stage 3 and into GCSE and A Level Drama.

We have a fantastic purpose-built drama studio which is fully equipped with sound and lighting. Polished performances take place here and pupils can also make use of various digital technologies in their performances.

Students are taught how to evaluate live theatre and trips to attend performances run throughout the year including visits to local productions and ones further afield such as to RSC productions in Stratford-upon-Avon or to performances of popular plays and musicals in London’s West End.

Written homework includes assignments such as writing-in-role, drawing and justifying ideas for theatre costumes, scriptwriting, and documenting and evaluating the practical creative process.

GCSE Drama

At GCSE, pupils can choose to be examined in costume or set design.

There are two components:

• Coursework: Creating and performing three pieces of theatre including an individual performance (2-3 minutes) and two group pieces (15 minutes each)
• Written paper: Pre-release material for the written examination is issued in the Autumn Term of Year 11 and comprises two extended extracts from two different plays. Students will explore the extracts practically and from the perspective of an actor, director and designer.

Co-curricular Activities

Lunchtime drama clubs provide pupils with the chance to relax and meet new friends, learn about theatre skills and produce productions of plays in the drama studio.

Year 7 girls can take part in our Year 7 House Acting Competition in which certificates and prizes are awarded for the best performances.

School Performances

The school plays and musicals are an exciting event in the school calendar.

Recent senior productions have included:

• Matilda
• Wind in the Willows
• The Importance of Being Earnest
• Alice’s Wonderland

Auditions are open to all senior years and for all productions there are plenty of design, technical and backstage jobs that also need to be filled. Pupils evidencing strong organisational skills can apply to be stage manager.

Additional drama evenings and performance opportunities throughout the year provide girls with the opportunity to perform extracts, monologues or duologues before an invited audience of friends and family.

These include:

• COTSY at the Octagon Centre
• Sheffield Girls’ Annual Birthday Celebration
• Sheffield Girls’ Annual Celebration of the Arts
• Winter Showcase at the Octagon Centre

LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art)

Break and lunchtime lessons leading to a LAMDA qualification are available in the following subjects:

• Solo Acting
• Duologue Acting
• Verse and Prose Speaking
• Musical Theatre
• Devising