Drama and Theatre Studies

Head of Drama Mr H.Jones

Drama is unique in being both a subject and a teaching method. As such, it is one of the most valuable of learning tools, building up a wide variety of transferable skills, ranging from decision-making and role-playing to team-building and innovative thinking.

The passion for Drama is here to be experienced and shared by all - from the extrovert would-be actor to the shyly-retiring academic who wants to enhance confidence, creativity, and communication skills for the world of work and higher education beyond school.

Here, at Kent College, Drama aims to be at the heart of the school community. The increasingly popular GCSE and Advanced Level Theatre Studies courses are augmented by a lively programme of Drama activities for all.

These include regular theatre trips to local and London theatres, visiting professional theatre companies, Kent College Youth Theatre, and a variety of College productions, ranging from lavish musicals, through more intimate drama productions and informal workshop performances, to children's theatre for local schools.

Whatever the involvement in Drama at the College, we hope to provide something positive and valuable for everyone : we are proud to add value to the linguists and business students, as well as to the future artists.

 

College productions have gained a reputation for their quality and vitality, whether big-scale musicals, such as Anything Goes, challenging modern drama, such as Steven Berkoff's Metamorphosis, rollicking entertainments like Chaucer's The Canterbury tales, or innovative interpretations of the classics, such as The Tempest, recently staged on the professional stage of the Gulbenkian Theatre as part of the national Schools' Shakespeare Festival. For those who prefer to be backstage, students can become competent stage crew and technicians under the experienced mentoring of the school's resident theatre technician. Others may have the opportunity to direct or assist in production design, choreography, or publicity. GCSE and A Level Drama and Theatre Studies students take part in several performances a year, create and lead projects for primary school pupils, and make numerous visits to learn from the extraordinary breadth of professional theatre available to us.

It is sometimes said that all you need for Drama are "bare boards and a passion". Here, at Kent College, we can offer rather more than that. The Chapel doubles as a performance venue, and has well-equipped theatre facilities, including a computerised lighting system and sophisticated sound equipment, while the intimate and flexible Drama Studio is also well-equipped as a dedicated facility for small-scale performances, rehearsals, workshops and classes.

The College's Head of Drama has wide experience as teacher, advisory teacher, writer, director, arts centre director and GCSE and A-Level examiner. With the support of colleagues, each inputting their own skills and enthusiasms - ranging from mask-making to sound-mixing - he is determined to ensure Drama is a dynamic spirit at the centre of College life.

We welcome your involvement, your ideas, and your passion!