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Drama and performing arts

Through creative exploration of performance and design elements, the study of drama engages, inspires and challenges students, immersing them in the world of storytelling as an art form. Students will explore approaches to drama influenced by practitioners from a range of cultural backgrounds, with an appreciation of the importance and relevance of theatre in society.

Drama at Bedlington Academy leads students on a journey of creativity and self-expression through the exploration of core knowledge and skills.    

Students are encouraged to develop their skills as an actor, directors and designers through the creation of original and pre-published performance material. As well as developing subject-specific skills, drama provides students with the opportunity to build a range of transferable skills, from effective communication to problem-solving.   

Across the key stages, students develop acting, directorial and design skills through a range of practical workshops, analysis of live theatre and interpretation seminars. Students perform using a range of drama conventions, mediums and strategies of increasing complexity.   

Students enjoy drama because it allows them to be whoever they want to be. It gives them a voice and an opportunity to share how they view the world.  Students develop the ability to work collaboratively and are inspired to become storytellers for their audience.  

It’s not only Drama lessons that allow students to express themselves creatively: There are formal and informal performances throughout the year including variety showcases, musicals and involvement with the Connections Festival in partnership with London’s National Theatre.  

The drama department offers many extra-curricular clubs including opportunities to act, dance, sing and gain experience as designers and directors. As well as this, there are a range of opportunities to attend live theatre productions outside of school and participate in professional workshops. 

Curriculum information

Year 

Autumn 

Spring 

Summer 

Introducing Stagecraft

  

  • Learn how to create different characters and a portray a range of different emotions

 

  • Explore the beginnings of performing extracts from scripts

Introducing Page to Stage 

 

  • Learn how to use vocal and physical skills including tone, body language and facial expressions to perform extracts from a script

 

Introducing Creating Theatre  

 

  • Explore how to create your own performance generating ideas from a stimulus

Developing Stagecraft  

 

  • Discover the techniques required when performing a range of emotions using different styles of theatre including naturalistic and non-naturalistic genres

Developing Page to Stage

  

  • Develop your vocal skills through use of tone, pitch and pace as well as physical skills of body language, facial expression and levels to perform a more challenging script 

Developing Creating Theatre  

 

  • Develop Physical Theatre skills to generate performance ideas based on a stimulus 

Mastering Stagecraft  

 

  • Develop a character and adapt performance material to suit a range of stage configurations

Mastering Page to Stage  

 

  • Develop your vocal and physical skills to accurately and fluently demonstrate character to an audience

Mastering Creating Theatre  

 

  • Create your own performance material using a range of stylistic qualities  

10 

 

Interpreting Theatre  

  • Create your own performance material using stylistic qualities of a selected practitioner 

Interpreting Theatre 

 

  • Practically explore the set text working as an actor, director and designer  

 

Devising Theatre 

  • Create your own performance material from a stimulus using stylistic qualities of a selected practitioner
     

 

 

 

Devising Theatre 

 

  • Create and perform a devised piece based on chosen stimulus material   

Interpreting Theatre 

 

  • Practically explore the set text working as an actor, director and designer  

 

 

11 

Performing from a Text

 

  • Students will perform two extracts from a play or realise a design for the actors within the play.  

Interpreting Theatre  

  • Practically explore a contemporary play from an actor, director’s and a designer’s perspective, prior to realising vision in a written response. 

Interpreting Theatre  

  • Practically explore a contemporary play from an actor, director’s and a designer’s perspective, prior to realising vision in a written response. 

Perform from a text

  • Explore an extract from a text to communicate meaning to an audience
  • Evaluate live theatre from an acting and design perspective 

Interpreting Theatre 

  • Create a vision for a contemporary play from an actor, director’s and a designer’s perspective, prior to realising in a written exam.

 

  • Evaluate live theatre from an acting and design perspective.


 


 

Y12

Introduction to Practitioner ‘s  

  • Explore various practitioner’s methods and learn how to apply these to performance styles. 

 

Component 3: Text in Performance  

  • Practically explore a pre 1956 play from an actor, director’s and a designer’s perspective, prior to realising the vision in a written response   

 

Component 2: Text in Action. Students may choose to be assessed on Acting or a Design element 

·       Develop and realise a devised piece based on stimulus material  

·       Rehearse and realise an extract from a script  

·       Document the process and final outcomes of performance material through an evaluation report. 

·       Evaluate live theatre seen throughout the course.

 

 

Component 1: Theatre Workshop. 

·       Reinterpret a text for performance using the methods of an influential theatre practitioner  

·       Develop a creative log  

 

 

Component 1: Theatre Workshop. 

·       Reinterpret a text for performance using the methods of an influential theatre practitioner  

·       Develop a creative log 

 

Component 2: Text in Action. Students may choose to be assessed on Acting or a Design element 

·       Develop and realise a devised piece based on stimulus material  

·       Rehearse and realise an extract from a script  

·       Document the process and final outcomes of performance material through an evaluation report. 

·       Evaluate live theatre seen throughout the course.

Y13

 

Component 3: Text in Performance  

·       Practically explore a post 1956 play from an actor, director’s and a designer’s perspective, prior to realising vision in a written response  

Component 2: Text in Action. Students may choose to be assessed on Acting or a Design element 

·       Develop and realise a devised piece based on stimulus material  

·       Rehearse and realise an extract from a script  

·       Document the process and final outcomes of performance material through an evaluation report. 

·       Evaluate live theatre seen throughout the course.

Component 2: Text in Action. Students may choose to be assessed on Acting or a Design element 

·       Develop and realise a devised piece based on stimulus material  

·       Rehearse and realise an extract from a script  

·       Document the process and final outcomes of performance material through an evaluation report. 

·       Evaluate live theatre seen throughout the course.

Component 3: Text in Performance  

·       Practically explore a contemporary play from an actor, director’s and a designer’s perspective, prior to realising vision in a written response  

·       Evaluate live theatre seen throughout the course. 

Component 3: Text in Performance  

·       Practically explore a contemporary play from an actor, director’s and a designer’s perspective, prior to realising vision in a written response  

·       Evaluate live theatre seen throughout the course. 

 

 

Drama has allowed me to express myself. I enjoy creating my own material and developing interesting characters.
Year 11 student
I love working as a team in drama so that we can inspire an audience.
Year 8 student