Drama | Beyond The Classroom | St. Christophers School | Isa Town, Bahrain

Drama Beyond the Classroom

At St Christopher’s School, Drama is an exciting journey that extends far beyond the classroom, offering students a wealth of enriching opportunities to explore and showcase their talents.

Our school musicals are a highlight of the year, with productions staged at both Junior and Senior School. We pride ourselves on selecting a diverse range of shows, allowing students to experience different styles and genres. Junior School performances have included Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Oliver, Matilda, and Mary Poppins, while Senior School students have taken on productions such as Chicago, Hairspray, West Side Story, Seussical, and We Will Rock You.

In addition to musicals, we stage a range of captivating plays that challenge and inspire our students. These have included classics like Macbeth, Alice and The Boy Who Fell Into A Book and original works such as Twisted Tales, Screenagers and Tribes (a creative adaptation of Lord of the Flies).
 

Our Drama department provides platforms for students to excel not only on stage but also behind the scenes. Students can take on a variety of vital roles that are integral to the success of a production, including lighting and sound design, backstage crew, costume design, and hair and make-up.

Additionally, they can gain valuable experience in front-of-house roles, learning about the management and hospitality aspects of theatre.

These opportunities allow students to develop practical skills, work collaboratively, and contribute meaningfully to the production process. Building on the success of the St Chris Music Festival, we are proud to introduce the Performing Arts Festival, now encompassing Drama and Dance. With Drama categories including solo and group acting, the festival celebrates the creativity, talent, and dedication of our students. This exciting event promotes a sense of community and achievement across all performing arts disciplines, providing a platform for students to shine and share their passion.

Through these experiences, students enhance their performance skills while also developing confidence, teamwork, and commitment.

They cultivate creativity and compassion as they work collaboratively, demonstrate courage in taking risks, and nurture curiosity as they explore new ideas and techniques.

Drama at St Christopher’s empowers students to thrive both on and off the stage, helping them discover their potential and ignite their passion for the performing arts.


 

Drama in the Curriculum

At St Christopher’s, the Drama curriculum is designed to ignite creativity and build a strong foundation of skills that equip students for both the stage and beyond. In Years 7, 8 and 9, double Drama lessons each week provide students with opportunities to develop their abilities as performers, collaborators, and theatre makers. By exploring a diverse range of content, from bringing play texts to life through page-to-stage techniques to devising original material, students cultivate confidence, critical thinking, and teamwork. They also delve into the rich history of theatre, starting with Ancient Greek tragedy, gaining an understanding of its influence on modern performance.
 

Recognising the importance of evolving technologies, the curriculum also introduces students to digital performance.

Units on silent movies, documentary filmmaking, and acting for the camera enhance their technical and creative skills, preparing them for the demands of contemporary theatre and media.

At GCSE, students achieve exceptional results, with some earning accolades such as ‘Best in the World.’ Studying under the Edexcel examination board, they tailor their learning by specialising as actors or designers, enabling them to refine their craft and excel in their chosen area.

In years 12-13, students have the choice of two pathways: A Level Drama or BTEC Performing Arts: Acting. The introduction of the BTEC pathway has further enriched the curriculum, creating partnerships with professional theatre companies and sessions with professional actors and directors providing real-world insights into the performing arts industry.

Whether performing, creating, or working behind the scenes, Drama at St Christopher’s develops essential skills such as creativity, resilience, and collaboration, inspiring a lifelong passion for the performing arts and preparing students to thrive in whichever path they choose.