Drama
Lights, camera, action! Our Drama department, as you would expect, is a hive of creativity and innovation but is also a safe space where students can be themselves and explore their creative ideas freely.
As well as the expected focus on traditional drama skills and theory that you would expect, we aim to foster an environment of respect, hard work and high expectations. We provide learners with the opportunity to:
- explore the human condition and why people do what they do
- build confidence and determination
- promote analytical thinking
- develop skills in self and peer evaluation
- foster creativity and ideas
- create valuable leadership and teamwork opportunities
Students at Lomond School take part in Drama classes from Junior 4 through to S6. In the Junior School, the children develop skills in communication, co-operation and creativity in regular Drama lessons. As our students progress into Transitus and the Senior School, the focus in lessons extends to more specific Drama skills as well as maintaining the core values that help them to become well-rounded and confident individuals.
The drama studio is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art, theatre space that offers students the chance to learn about the technical aspects of theatre as well as performance skills. Drama is offered at National 5. IB Theatre Studies is offered for students in S5-6.
Drama - National 5
The National 5 Drama course is a practical and experiential introduction to Drama Skills and Production Skills. Students are continually assessed on the following areas:
- Acting skills: voice, movement and characterisation
- Production skills: application of lighting, costume, props and make-up
- Responding to stimuli
- Creating dramatic pieces collaboratively
- Experimenting with form, genre, structure and style of a drama
- Research skills
- Evaluating and reflecting on their own and other’s work
For the final exam, students will choose one area to be assessed on practically (acting, lighting, costume, hair and make-up, props, set, sound) and complete a written paper.
The course aims to enable learners to:
- generate and communicate thoughts and ideas when creating drama
- develop a knowledge and understanding of a range of social and cultural influences on drama
- develop a range of skills in presenting drama
- develop knowledge, understanding and application of a range of production skills (costume, make-up, props, lighting)
- explore form, genre, structure and style
- evaluate and reflect on their learning and progress
As learners develop practical skills in creating and presenting drama, they will also develop knowledge and understanding of cultural and social influences on drama. Learners will analyse and evaluate how the use of self-expression, language and movement can develop their ideas for drama. Learners will develop critical thinking skills as they investigate, develop and apply a range of drama skills.
The course uses an integrated approach to learning which develops practical skills as well as theoretical knowledge and understanding of drama. Through creating and presenting drama, evaluation skills will also be developed as learners evaluate their own work and progress, and that of others.
IB Theatre Studies
The International Baccalaureate Theatre Studies course at Lomond School is a multifaceted theatre-making course. It allows students to make theatre as creators, designers, directors and performers. It emphasises the importance of working both individually and as part of an ensemble. It offers the opportunity to engage actively in the creative process of inquiring, developing, presenting and evaluating.
Students are encouraged to work as inquisitive and imaginative artists, transforming ideas into action and communicating these to an audience. Theatre students learn to apply research and theory to inform and contextualise their work as they experience the course through practical and physical engagement. They understand that knowledge resides in the body and that research can be conducted physically through both action and practice. In this respect, the theatre course encourages students to appreciate that through the processes of researching, creating, preparing, presenting and critically reflecting on theatre—as participants and spectators—they gain a richer understanding of themselves, their community and the world.
Through the study of theatre, students strengthen their awareness of their own personal and cultural perspectives, developing an appreciation of the diversity of theatre practices, their processes and their modes of presentation. This enables students to discover and engage with different forms of theatre
Course Components:
1. Theatre in Context (TIC):
- Objective: Explore the historical, cultural, and social aspects of theatre.
- Activities: Research projects, discussions, and analysis of theatrical texts.
2. Theatre Processes (TP):
- Objective: Engage in the practical aspects of theatre creation and performance.
- Activities: Workshops, rehearsals, and collaborative projects.
3. Independent Project (IP):
- Objective: Conduct an in-depth, independent exploration of a theatre-related topic.
- Activities: Research, planning, and execution of a project.
Course Structure:
Year 1 (IB Theatre Studies Standard Level – SL):
- Introduction to Theatre in Context and Theatre Processes.
- Exploration of key theatrical styles and traditions.
- Practical workshops and collaborative projects.
- Initial planning for the Independent Project.
Year 2 (Continuation to IB Theatre Studies Higher Level – HL):
- In-depth study of Theatre in Context with a focus on global perspectives.
- Advanced practical work, including directing and acting projects.
- Completion and presentation of the Independent Project.
Assessment:
Having followed the theatre course at SL or HL, students will be expected to fulfil the following objectives at assessment:
Inquiry
a. Carry out academic and physical research and identify valuable information and resources to support work in theatre
b. Inquire into, and contextualize, the theatrical work and ideas of others
Development
a. Develop informed and imaginative theatre-maker intentions for making and staging theatre
b. Practically and collaboratively explore how performance and production elements combine in practice to create effective moments of theatre
Presentation
a. Present theatre work to others to fulfil theatre-maker intentions
b. Communicate theatrical ideas in a variety of forms, formats and contexts
Evaluation
a. Reflect on feedback from others and consider their own development as theatre-makers
b. Evaluate the effectiveness of theatre work.
Extra Curricular and further IB information
Students are actively encouraged to participate in school productions, drama clubs, workshops and theatre-related events.
IB course descriptor – https://www.ibo.org/globalassets/new-structure/programmes/dp/pdfs/theatre-subject-brief-sl-hl-en.pdf
There are lots of opportunities for extra-curricular drama. In addition to a wide variety of Junior School shows, we also run a school musical for senior pupils. Past productions have included Grease, Guys and Dolls and The Addams Family. The certificate classes present their acting exam pieces in the Evening of Drama every Spring and a S1/2 Drama club runs in the summer term.
Book a tour
To find out more about how we engender hard work and determination in our young people, come and visit us and meet our dedicated teaching staff and speak to our pupils.