Drama
Lights, camera, action! Our Drama department, as you would expect, is a hive of creativity and innovation but is also a is a safe space where pupils 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, as a department 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
Pupils at Lomond School take part in Drama classes from Junior 1 through to S6. In the Junior School, the children develop skills in communication, co-operation and creativity in weekly Drama lessons. As our pupils 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 pupils the chance to learn about the technical aspects of theatre as well as performance skills. Drama is offered at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
Drama - National 5
The National 5 Drama course is a practical and experiential introduction to Drama Skills and Production Skills. Pupils 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 drama in a group
- Experimenting with form, genre, structure and style of a drama
- Research skills
- Evaluating and reflecting their own and other’s work
For the final exam, pupils 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 aims of the course are 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 own learning and progress
As learners develop practical skills 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.
Drama - Higher
The National 5 Drama course is a practical and experiential introduction to Drama Skills and Production Skills. Pupils 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 drama in a group
- Experimenting with form, genre, structure and style of a drama
- Research skills
- Evaluating and reflecting their own and other’s work
For the final exam, pupils 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 aims of the course are 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 own learning and progress
As learners develop practical skills 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.
Drama - Advanced Higher
At Advanced Higher level, the pupils study two key theatre practitioners and consider how their theories may influence their own practise of acting, directing or design. The pupils also embark on a project dissertation about an issue in theatre that interests them.
Higher and Advanced Higher Drama students get the opportunity to experience lots of live theatre as well as study a play from three perspectives (Actor, Director and Designer). The courses aim to inspire, challenge and educate the pupils, whilst also nurturing their creative independence and appreciation for performance art.
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.