Drama

Children are encouraged to express and communicate their ideas, thoughts and feelings through imaginative movement and role plays. The use of available resources to create props to support role play is encouraged.

All pupils take part in our annual nativity play. Potential talent in this area is recognised and encouraged, with opportunities to speak and perform at regular concerts and assemblies.

Drama is introduced through English lessons in Year 3, as children are encouraged to express themselves through drama and speaking activities.

In Year 4, children analyse play scripts as part of their English studies, which links to the Year 4 play, in which all pupils have the opportunity to participate.

LAMDA speech and drama lessons are available as an extra-curricular activity. Many children also take LAMDA exams at school, for which we are proud to have a 100% pass rate over an impressive number of years, with many achieving a Merit or Distinction.

Year 5 pupils begin to work towards a higher standard of drama, building basic skills of organisation and acquiring an understanding of how a play becomes a performance. Awareness of language, teamwork and problem solving is introduced with elements of physical theatre and use of space.

Pupils use drama to explore ideas that occur in every day life, studying topics such as Physical Drama and the Titanic.

Year 6 pupils further enhance their performance skills whilst understanding what is required to become a skilful actor. Pupils acquire an understanding of Shakespeare and his influence on Drama and study Macbeth. The use of vocal skills, masks, body language and interaction allows pupils to use drama as a tool whereby a message can be portrayed.

LAMDA speech and drama lessons are available as an extra-curricular activity. Many children also take LAMDA exams at school, for which we are proud to have a 100% pass rate over an impressive number of years, with many achieving a Merit or Distinction.

Pupils are encouraged to deliver depth in their performances and are able to use ‘Issue Drama’ and ‘Stage Drama’ to illustrate what can be achieved through the medium of drama.

Issues such as Gender and World War I are studied, allowing the serious nature of the topics to be conveyed with depth through performance.

Year 7 and 8 pupils are invited to audition for the Courtauld House Annual production.

Mary Skills Awards are available for those who possess a talent in Drama.

LAMDA speech and drama lessons continue to be available as an extra-curricular activity. Many children also take LAMDA exams at school, for which we are proud to have a 100% pass rate over an impressive number of years, with many achieving a Merit or Distinction.

Drama Scholarships are available for Year 9 entry.

All new Year 9 pupils stake part in acting auditions to assess their level of talent.

Drama is studied in Year 9 by all pupils, and can be studied as an option at GCSE Level, with acting for performance a major component part of the examination.

Drama coaching and LAMDA speech and drama lessons continue to be available as an extra-curricular activity. Many children also take LAMDA exams at school, for which we are proud to have a 100% pass rate over an impressive number of years, with many achieving a Merit or Distinction.

Pupils may join the cast of school productions including the major production in the Autumn term. You can view photos and reviews from recent productions linked above on this webpage.

A Spring Term production is usually a non-musical performance and a monologue/duologue competition takes place in the Summer for our Year 9 and 10 pupils.

Drama scholars are encouraged to take part in all drama productions and activities.

There are regular opportunities to attend professional drama and comedy performances, hosted in the School Hunt Theatre. There are also regular trip to theatres in the West End and elsewhere.

Drama Scholarships are available for Year 12 entry and Drama can be studied as an A Level option in the Sixth Form.

Drama coaching and LAMDA speech and drama lessons continue to be available as an extra-curricular activity. Many children also take LAMDA exams at school, for which we are proud to have a 100% pass rate over an impressive number of years, with many achieving a Merit or Distinction.

Pupils may join the cast of school productions including the major production in the Autumn term. You can view photos and reviews from recent productions linked above on this webpage.

Drama scholars are encouraged to take part in all drama productions and activities.

There are regular opportunities to attend professional drama and comedy performances, hosted in the School Hunt Theatre. There are also regular trip to theatres in the West End and elsewhere.

Expert advice is given to those wishing to study Drama at university and we have a successful track record of preparing our students well for National Youth Theatre auditions.

Felsted's Hunt Theatre is equipped technically to the standard of any small professional theatre: the extensive facilities include flexible seating for 128, fully computerised lighting and sound controls, an impressive range of lanterns and sound equipment, dressing rooms, a front-of-house box office and a licensed bar.

Larger scale productions are put on in the Senior School's majestic Grignon Hall and the Prep School’s Ross Hall.

The Felsted Hunt Theatre regularly receives productions by major national and international touring companies; all our pupils, parents and members of the local Felsted community are invited to enjoy professional productions on their doorstep!

The School's Thespian Society is enormously popular, and enables pupils to see a remarkable range of professional shows. Felstedians have the opportunity to make regular visits to provincial theatres and those in the West End of London, including productions by The Royal Shakespeare Company and The Royal National Theatre, as well as more popular musical shows.