Drama at Kimbolton
Drama is about discovering the ways in which theatre can be made, the world around us explored, and characters portrayed. We encourage pupils to think about creating challenging and exciting theatre, looking at how stories can be told and examining a range of themes and issues and human behaviour. There is a focus on performance skills as well as pupils developing their interests in the design and technical elements of theatre.
We encourage theatre inside and outside the classroom, offering many opportunities for academic learning and co-curricular development. We cater for everyone, from those wanting to pursue performing arts as a career, to those who want to develop their confidence and public speaking skills.
Curriculum drama
Drama is taught to all pupils in the First to Third Forms. We aim to teach pupils the skills and conventions to create thought-provoking and engaging pieces of work, developing their vocal and physical abilities alongside effective rehearsal techniques.
We encourage pupils to think as writers, devisers and directors as well as actors, and to learn about how meaning is created through design as well as performance. Drama is available as options at both GCSE and A Level, where pupils with particular interests in the subject can develop their passion further.
Drama clubs and LAMDA
Ingrams Drama Club provides excellent opportunities to extend pupils’ learning outside the classroom. We cover audition techniques as well as offering the chance to perform in public.
Third Form and above are also invited to help run the drama clubs, alongside the tutor, allowing pupils to develop leadership, organisation and teamwork skills. We also run a Technical Theatre Club for pupils with interests in lighting, sound, hair, make-up, costume and stage management. This is open to all year groups and no prior experience is necessary.
First to Fifth Form pupils may attain awards accredited by the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) via classes run by an external tutor for an additional termly fee.
The LAMDA awards can be taken in Acting, Devising or Speaking Verse and Prose, and allow pupils to work as individuals or in small groups. The course ends with an external examination taken in Cambridge.
Pupils take LAMDA exams for a range of reasons; they might have a keen interest in the performing arts, want to develop public speaking skills, or just build confidence and have fun working with others.
The course can be taken as a one-off award over one term or continued with a maximum of three LAMDA awards in a year. Letters will be sent to parents advertising the course prior to the start of each term.
Productions
We stage one whole school production a year, which all children in the Senior School are welcome to audition for.
We also stage a junior production for First to Third Form pupils in the summer term, an annual House drama competition and drama showcases throughout the year. We alternate between a play and a musical each year for both the whole school and junior productions, so there are performance opportunities for strong singers and actors.
In the past we have staged Les Misérables, The Tempest and Sweeney Todd. Junior school productions have included The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, and Oliver!
Rehearsals are run at lunchtimes and after school and there are some weekend rehearsals. Please note that the dress and technical rehearsals are compulsory.
