Drama

Drama at St Bede's is quite literally open to everyone - as performers, technicians, designers and backstage crew - both students and staff alike.  The Department thrives on the input of all who enter through its doors and it is considered a safe, vibrant and positive area of school life at St Bede's.

It is possible to access Drama and Theatre at St Bede's through both the academic and activity programmes.  Drama, Theatre Studies and Performing Arts are currently our academic choices and a great deal of success is gained at a both GCSE and A Level standard.  The most recent figure for AS/A2 subject is 100% A-E and GCSE's is 97% A*-C.

We pride ourselves on a professional approach to all performance work regardless of the ability or experience of our students.  The expectations are high and students universally rise to this challenge to produce focussed, innovative and entertaining performances.  Throughout the academic year, the Drama Department is responsible for five or more productions that are opened to the general public plus six examined performances, this gives great scope to be part of a team and to learn how to produce Theatre with high production values.

Being part of a cast helps students to socialise across a wider peer group.  Students from First Year to UVIth will be encouraged to work together thus stretching the skills and comfort zones of both sets of students and creating a feeling throughout the whole school of camaraderie.  Enjoyment is paramount to the success of the department and the three full time teachers of Drama and the Production Manager make it a priority to see that all individuals are encouraged to contribute freely to discussions in class and decisions regarding performances and therefore grow from their experiences both as performers and crew.  Also, the social benefits enjoyed by students who involve themselves in both academic and activity Drama are vast. 

In previous years students have gone on from the Drama Department to study Acting and Stage Management at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Central School of Music and Drama, East 15 Acting School, Drama Centre and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.

Drama is, in short, an area of school life that will in inevitably be with students in their adult lives in a positive and unavoidable way.  Drama is self expression, it is confidence, it is exploration, it is relationships, it is communication - in short Drama is life!

Sarah Cakebread
Head of Drama