Drama and Theatre Studies

Head of Department: Kim Chandley. Email: K-Chandley@epsomcollege.org.uk

The Year 9 Drama curriculum offers all pupils in the year a solid foundation in Drama, not only in acting and performance work but also in lighting, sound and mask design as well as stage management. All pupils stage a performance evening in May of their class work to a public audience. Drama is a popular subject at the College and many students pursue it as a GCSE option. Currently we have three sets in both year groups at GCSE. 

GCSE Drama and AS/A2 level Theatre Studies courses offer those with a strong interest and commitment to Drama the opportunity to develop their performance, direction and design skills and broaden their understanding of theatre. Regular theatre trips, professional workshops and drama tours are at the centre of the learning process, providing students with the opportunity to participate actively in the wider, challenging world of theatre arts.

Students learn all aspects of stagecraft in the purpose built space and are encouraged to explore their ideas through the concrete language of the stage, rather than being purely classroom-based. All academic courses are with AQA and, as such, are intellectually demanding courses, which introduce students to the social, philosophical, cultural and historical backgrounds of the plays we study, perform and analyse from live theatre review or unseen commentary and analysis.

Theatre Studies forms a natural progression from GCSE Drama, though it is not essential to have studied it prior to joining the course. There are two papers at AS and A2 levels: one is practical, worth 40%; the other is written, though we approach the work practically. Students study set plays each year in close detail, developing a confident knowledge of the historical, cultural and political influences of the day. The AS text studied this year is Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew; at A2 level, the texts are Berkoff's The Trial and Moliere's Tartuffe.

Students also gain an insight into the theories and practice of two physical theatre companies - Complicite and Shared Experience, as well as studying the work of Artaud and Berkoff, whose ideas have transformed the face of modern drama. Students see many different productions and participate in professional workshops in order to develop their understanding of physical theatre and expressionism as a key influence on their own performances, consisting of a devised performance at A2 and a scripted performance at AS level.

 Students learn to critically appreciate the plays that they visit, as with GCSE Drama. Trips have included The Cherry Orchard, RNT; Medea, Queen's Theatre; Mnemonic, RNT; The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre; Shockheaded Peter, Piccadilly Theatre; Three Sisters, Chichester Festival Theatre; and Hell, Barbican Theatre.

Facilities and staffing

Drama Studio 1 was converted and designed for the start of September 2000, at which point Kim Chandley became Head of Department. Academic Drama and Theatre Arts at Key Stage 3,4 and post 16 has been delivered for the past 8 years. Paul Henson joined the department in 2001 and became the Theatre Technician for the College and Head of Extra Curricular Drama. In 2007, Kim Chandley became Director of Drama, amalgamating the academic department role with the organisation of extra curricular drama at the College. In addition, a second specialist Drama Studio was designed and opened in April 2007, supporting the development of the department and enabling students to gain access to two purpose built, specialist Drama studios. In April 2008 Alex Hughes was appointed as a school technician, with full responsibility for supporting the technical work of academic and extra curricular theatre and their respective buildings.

In just 8 short years the Drama and Theatre Studies department has expanded in terms of numbers, facilities and ambitious programmes and we have maintained a high standard of excellence for all exam and school performance work. Our academic results are outstanding at GCSE and A level and we take pride in the many trips and tours we offer our students at Epsom, encouraging a highly rich, rewarding cultural experience for all.

Our two specialist studios are equipped with professional standard lighting, sound and multi-media projection facilities. Students are trained in their use and we are proud to have a strong record of design students at GCSE and post 16 gaining top grades. Both Studios have been developed to accommodate the increasing demands of candidates specialising in technical modules in Lighting and Sound at GCSE, AS and A2 levels. Devised theatre study has been enhanced further with the introduction of two digital cameras and state of the art projection units, as well as AV data mixers in each Studio. Drama Studio 2 has a balcony and is an interesting theatre space for exam performance work; over the past year it has encouraged circus skills work, and AS students have specialised in silks work. Both studios house an office and a control room, along with more storage areas for our technical and design properties, sets, masks, lanterns and other backstage resources.

Results

Our academic results fully reflect our aim to strive for excellence and creative flair as a department, with students gaining 95% A*- B grade passes at GCSE and 91% A-B grade passes at AS and A2. Candidates had 100% grade A success in 2006 at A2 level and 100% at AS level in 2007. Our class sizes are small and intimate, with a maximum of 16 at AS/A2 and 20 at GCSE.

Our practical results are excellent across the board and we have gained a reputation as a centre of excellence with AQA, having been moderated by the chief examiner for Theatre Studies. AQA have asked for Epsom AS and A2 written exam answers to be used as exemplar material for national teacher moderation and training purposes. We remain one of the leading departments in terms of exam success and value added success in all three exam levels within the school. We average +2 above the students' expected achievement in terms of their value added.

We are constantly seeking to improve our delivery, teaching methodology and approach through inset and the sharing of good practice. Our teaching approach treats each student individually, enabling them to pursue their own theatre skill specialisms and work on their weaker areas, with close one to one teacher attention.

Our first Cambridge graduate in Theatre and Education gained a first this summer and we have another student on the same course, due to qualify next year. Equally, we have many ex-pupils in the entertainment business in the West End and in LA, both in acting and design. We have many pupils who choose not to pursue their Drama academically at University and who have been able to secure places at top universities on courses such as medicine and Psychology because of their high achievement in Theatre Studies.

Creating a rich cultural climate

Theatre trips this term are varied, as follows:

GCSE Drama:

• Mine, Shared Experience at Hampstead Theatre
• The Lion King, Taymor's direction and design at The Lyceum Theatre

AS Theatre Studies:

• Mine, Shared Experience at Hampstead Theatre
• A Disappearing Number, Complicite at The Barbican Theatre
• Joyce Henderson, an Associate member of Complicite, will deliver a 4 hour professional workshop to AS students this term on Complicite's approach

A2 Theatre Studies:

• Creditors, Strindberg at The Donmar Warehouse
• Turandot, Brecht at Hampstead Theatre
• Splendid Theatre's Kerry Frampton, will deliver a 4 hour professional workshop to A2 students this term on Brecht's Epic theatre

In addition to these trips, students at A2 level will participate in a residency with Complicite in the summer, whilst GCSE Drama students have the opportunity to attend New York on a 5 day Broadway tour, seeing 5 shows and participating in three professional workshops. This is a popular trip and was attended by 32 pupils in April 2008. In addition, Theatre Studies groups have visited and performed at The Edinburgh Festival, seeing over 50 plays and performing to a wide audience.

Our academic and extra curricular Drama productions are ambitious and well received, creating a cultural climate which is alive to new theatre styles and techniques. We regularly have pupils who audition for Drama schools and the National Youth theatre of Great Britain, both as actors and designers. We have an excellent success rate in each area.