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Drama

The Drama Department is committed to offering a welcoming, secure environment where pupils are encouraged to think creatively, and to be independent, collaborative and collective learners. In doing so, our pupils gain the confidence and interpersonal skills to creatively communicate their beliefs and feelings; vital attributes in their future lives and careers.

Drama forms part of the core skills provision for all Senior and Junior Years pupils, reflecting our commitment to educating the whole person. The Drama programme allows students to examine a range of social, moral and cultural issues and to explore their own responses to them through devised and scripted practical performance.

Study is offered in Performance (Acting) and Technical Theatre (Lighting, Sound, Costume, Set, Directing, Stage Management, Prop Design). Whilst the acquisition of these theatrical skills give an excellent grounding to those wishing to pursue a career in the arts, this unique process of learning is of inestimable value to all pupils.

L5 — L7 pupils' transition to the Senior Years is aided by the introduction of subject specialist teaching. The pupils' formal drama training commences at this time and they explore themes and issues through various dramatic techniques such as role-play, mime, movement, improvisation and storytelling through drama. Drama provision in F1 - F2 is increased to weekly lessons in which pupils are introduced to specific drama skills such as stage fighting, Commedia Dell Arte, textual analysis, script writing, mime, movement, sound and lighting design, characterisation and use of voice. Pupils are encouraged to reflect, record and discuss their practical activities through collaboration and negotiation with others. F3 – F4 pupils who choose Drama as an academic subject embark on a two-year course of study culminating in an award at National 5 level. All areas of theatre arts are covered during the course with pupils able to ‘major’ in an area of theatre specialism in an assessed performance. F5 – F6 pupils who have a particular talent or interest in either Directing, Design or Acting may choose to further their study in Higher and Advanced Higher Drama, courses which offer both the practical and theoretical study of theatre.

21st Century drama practitioners and their influence on theatrical concepts in world theatre are an inherent part of the courses. The department actively encourages and facilitates theatre going in all levels of the curriculum. Many of our pupils have gained entry to top drama institutions in the field of performance and technical theatre.

The Drama Department contributes significantly to the life of the school through the varied co-curricular opportunities which the pupils may choose to be involved in. As well as directing talent shows and concerts, the department produces a biennial, large-scale musical and two plays in alternate years for F2-6. Pupils routinely form the backstage and technical crew for all main school productions. Regular trips to major Scottish theatre venues are on offer to all year groups. The department has organised performing arts trips to Europe, USA and the UK. These activities are open to all interested pupils regardless of their uptake of drama as a certificate subject. Participation in the dramatic opportunities available during their school years provides pupils with positive and life long memories.