Drama at Malvern
Drama at Malvern provides every pupil in the College with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and experience of Theatre and Drama, both from a historical and a practical perspective. They will also develop skills and talents in various aspects of Theatre. These opportunities are provided both within and outside the organised curriculum. The College is fortunate to have its own theatre. The theatre is the centre of the department's activities. It is a flexible performance space, which lends itself to many styles of staging, from traditional Proscenium Arch to Theatre in the Round. The lighting provision is excellent, with a large stock of lanterns and fully computerised control equipment. Stage design and set construction are well catered for and there is a large and varied stock of costumes. Pupils are encouraged to play a full part in all these aspects of theatre.
In the Foundation Year (year 9) pupils undergo a ten-week induction course, in a timetabled 'circus' with the Art and Music department. The basis of the course is to use theatre games, simple improvisations and short script extracts to develop basic skills of movement, response, speech, use of performance space and audience awareness.
About thirty pupils a year currently opt for Drama at GCSE level. In the first year of the course, the pupils develop experience of working practically with scripts and on unscripted pieces which they devise themselves. They are expected to work together quickly and purposefully in groups of various sizes and with different people. In the third term a practical project is usually undertaken which can provide marks towards their GCSE.
During the second year of the GCSE course, much of the work is directed firmly towards the production and performance of established text and devised pieces. Again this contributes marks towards their GCSE, and towards preparing pupils for the written examination at the end of the course.
In the Sixth Form, pupils have a choice between the International Baccalaureate and A-levels. They may opt for IB Theatre as part of their programme, either at Higher or at Standard level. The course presents students with a challenging and wide-ranging insight into practices of theatre in different parts of the world. Study is part theoretical, part practical, with a strong emphasis on each student's individual research. AS/A2 Theatre Studies was introduced in September 2007 and is a popular course. The combination of textual study and scripted/devised performances, together with responding to live theatre productions provides students with a challenging and stimulating course.
Drama is also active outside the timetable. A framework of productions is provided throughout the year. A large-scale major presentation is staged in November; a house-based, one-act play competition occurs in the Autumn and Spring terms; in the Summer term the FY and Remove each present a drama production. Summer 2010 will also see the premiere of a production staged at the newly constructed Open Air Theatre alongside the Sports Complex/Hospitality Suite.
A full programme of visits to live theatre in the region is organised every term, including regular trips to Stratford and the nearby Malvern Theatres. Most trips are voluntary with pupils opting to attend.