Drama

We must all do theatre, to find out who we are and to discover who we could become – Augusto Boal

Taking the stage can be a small step for some and a massive leap for others. At Kew House School, Drama is something we want every pupil to experience, no matter the size of the part. Taking part in a dramatic production either in front of an audience or behind the scenes is a life changing experience – building confidence, developing new skills and achieving a sense of accomplishment.

Drama is a timetabled lesson for Year 7 so that all our students get a taste of this important discipline. Part of their lessons will be devising original work, spoken word as well as performing set pieces. Additionally Drama lessons concentrate on educating our students broader lessons about the craft including textual analysis, technical skills and directing. There are also frequent trips to see West End productions from Shakespeare to musicals.

At Kew House, pupils can opt to study Drama from Year 9. We follow the AQA GSCE Drama syllabus which allows pupils to pursue acting and/or design options such as set, lighting, costume or puppet design. The course offers both practical and written components. Pupils create their own work, explore play-texts and go on LOTS of trips to the theatre.

At A-Level, students also study the AQA syllabus which inspires students to become independent learners with the skills they need to go on to higher education, whether that is to study a course in drama and theatre, or another subject. This qualification emphasises practical creativity alongside research and theoretical understanding. Students learn through experience and will gain many invaluable skills, both theatrical and transferable, to expand their horizons.

Extra-curricular Drama

Kew House offers a rich programme with weekly clubs for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 pupils. In these clubs, pupils develop their Drama skills and socialise – it’s serious fun. We also offer a Film Club where pupils can learn about this exciting art form and make their own movies.

Pupils have the opportunity to enter local and national performing arts competitions such as:

  • The English-Speaking Union’s ‘Performing Shakespeare’ Competition’
  • The Independent Schools’ Association Drama Festival
  • Richmond-Upon-Thames Performing Arts Festival.

In the past we have had great success in these competitions with Kew House pupils taking first place in many categories.

Pupils from Kew House have also taken part in the National Youth Theatre (NYT) and National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) summer programmes, and several students have successfully auditioned for the Youth Lyric, NYT, and NYMT companies and productions.

Productions

Every November we showcase our main school production, usually a musical. These productions give the pupils a flavour of what it’s like to be in a professional production, whether on stage or behind the scenes.

Past productions include:

  • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream-coat
  • Guys ‘n’ Dolls
  • Pygmalion
  • Little Shop of Horrors
  • High Society
  • Sister Act

At the end of the Summer Term, the focus turns to our youngest performers with the annual Year 7 and 8 Summer Showcase. Pupils from these year groups present a range of scenes from Shakespeare and other classic plays, interspersed with musical and dance items.

Students may also study for LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) grades with our specialist teacher on Mondays and Tuesdays after school. Kew House pupils have maintained a 100% pass rate and several of our senior students have attained their Gold Medal.

Why not explore?