closely with a professional playwright from the National Theatre to develop their own play. Students engage in lively debate and analysis of literary form and are also invited to see productions at the National Theatre to discuss plot, character and different actor-audience relationships.
Dance is now taught discreetly to all Lower School and Middle pupils as part of their Drama lessons. Dance requires academic thinking, with demands placed on both the brain and body, and pupils are being given skills to develop good control of the body and its movements, in order to express ideas, emotions and create something artistically through the body’s physicality of muscles and joints. Performance analysis and diverse dance practices are embedded into the schemes of work. Every year, dozens of pupils are involved in school productions in the Edward Alleyn Theatre, promenade or site specific performances within the wider College campus, or off site, directed and designed to exacting professional standards. As part of the Shakespeare 400 celebrations, pupils performed in a newly commissioned play from Olivier Award-winning playwright, Jessica Swale, at the Sam Wannamaker Playhouse. They were involved in the script-writing process throughout; from initial workshops to devising narrative and honing character. In 2019 a version of Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus will be performed at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank. Rising to the challenge of intensive and rigorous performance schedules can be gruelling but ultimately incredibly rewarding and unforgettable for pupils involved.
A level original drama performance in 2018.
Additionally twenty-four House productions are staged every year with pupils responsible for the creating, shaping and developing of ideas, exploring diverse genre and dramatic form. The standard of work is exceptional; pupils are assiduous in their endeavours and there is healthy rivalry for cups and prizes. ‘I was most struck by the vibrancy, and shared endeavour that the active and progressive theatre community at Dulwich College contributes to the life, education and socialisation of these young minds.’ Tess Dignan Guest Voice Coach RSC & Head of Voice, Rose Bruford College Our A level Plus Page to Stage & Script to Screen courses allow students to gain appreciation of transferring the written word to the live medium of theatre or the visual language of celluloid. Pupils have enjoyed workshops to enrich understanding of how text may be interpreted, driven by informed understanding of the practical methods involved in the process. Seminars with industry professionals Nick Gottschalk [OA] - Art Director on the BAFTA award-winning film Darkest Hour , and actors Lesley Sharp and Nicholas Gleaves gave valuable insight into design decision-making and finding meaning from the page. Students have also had the privilege of discussing film production with Oscar-winning producer David Parfitt, who shared his experiences of working knowledge of the pre and post-production process.
Drama at Dulwich is inclusive and we aim to imbue all our pupils with an appreciation of theatre both as practitioners and audience. Taking advantage of the wider connections the department enjoys, notably with The Globe Theatre, the Rose Playhouse and with Young Pleasance on the Edinburgh and London Fringe; pupils are encouraged to be ambitious and raise their horizons beyond the classroom. Behind the scenes at a Grease rehearsal.
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