Warwick School

Drama plays a key role in life at Warwick School through both the curriculum and extra curricular programmes.

Drama is a very popular subject, taught in the Lower School and as a Lower Fifth option (for 2007-8 half the year group have chosen drama as an option). It is an examination option at GCSE and A and AS level. Examination courses build on the grounding achieved in the lower years and develop further technique for creating, performing and evaluating drama. Additional workshops and masterclasses are provided throughout the year and students regularly collaborate with those from King’s High School.

In the Lower School pupils work through an enjoyable programme of mime, movement, role play, improvisation and storytelling. This is designed to both develop creative theatrical understanding but just as importantly it develops self- confidence, presentation skills and team work.

There are drama clubs open to all pupils throughout the school week and on Saturday mornings. The clubs continue whilst productions are worked on – mainly after school

Students have access to some outstanding facilities, resources and theatre professionals. The Bridge House Theatre serves school and community with an ambitious programme of events, and students have opportunities to directly access all parts of its operations, including working within its technical, design and marketing teams. With two professional plays a year produced by the Bridge House Theatre there is tremendous scope for students to work closely with professional theatre practitioners.

There is a full and inclusive programme of productions throughout the year which reflects a wide range of theatrical styles and traditions. 2006-7 programme included: Pageant, Much Ado About Nothing, Animal Farm, and Lord of the Flies.
In 2007 the department’s production of ‘Victims of Duty’ was selected as one of the ten best productions for the National Student Drama Festival. As the only school selected it was an impressive achievement to return with two major awards.

Drama has a major role to play in the wider education of students at Warwick School. Some students going on to pursue careers in the theatre but the broader skills encouraged by this subject serve as an excellent complement to other subjects in the curriculum and develop transferable skills valued by a rapidly changing world.