Drama

Campbell College has always had a thriving dramatic tradition.  There are numerous opportunities for pupils to participate in the theatrical life of the school: either on stage, as part of the technical crew, front of house, directing or designing.
 
The Drama Department was established in 2004 by Mrs McIlvenny (Director of Drama) and our school theatre officially opened in 2006. 
 

Since this period, we have performed several plays as well as five musicals: ‘Little Shop of Horror’s,’ ‘Oliver’, ‘South Pacific,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Hairspray.’ These productions have been in collaboration with Strathearn School.  The school has its own fully equipped theatre as well as one dedicated drama classroom and a greenroom.

 

Department Structure

Head of Drama:  Mrs Elizabeth McIlvenny
Drama Staff:  Mrs Lynsey Anderson and Mr David Gilliland

Additional Responsibilities (Drama)

Mrs L. Anderson:  Middle School Drama Club Coordinator
Mrs E. McIlvenny: Director of Dramatic Society
Mr David Gilliland: House Drama Coordinator

The Department  
At present three specialist teachers deliver a programme of Drama to students in Key Stage 3. We offer courses in GCSE Drama and “A” Levels in Drama and Theatre Studies.  We also collaborate with Bloomfield School at AS/A2 and currently have three Bloomfield students studying at Campbell College. In addition, we have over fifty students studying Drama for GCSE.
 

Success
The results achieved by our large numbers of senior students are excellent.  In 2012, 83% of candidates entered into GCSE Drama achieved A*-B. Standards are very high and many past pupils continue to develop successful careers in the performing arts.
One notable Old Campbellian, David Caves, has had much success both with the RSC and now on screen in Silent Witness. Some of our first “A” Level graduates have gone on to careers within Theatre: Alex Harbinson- Design, Jason McLaughlin- Acting.  Jason, after completing a law degree, secured a place in the Lyric Theatre Drama Studio and has been touring with Lynne Parker’s Macbeth. Tom Saunders is currently undertaking a PHD in Drama and Theatre.
Recently one of our GCSE students, Sam Jordan, secured one of the lead roles in ‘Honk’ performed in the Opera House, Belfast. Nathan Braniff and Patrick Taylor, both GCSE drama students also secured roles.  In addition, one of our AS students, Ryan Armstrong, also secured the lead role in Oedipus in the Lyric Theatre.
 
Extra-Curricular
We provide a range of extra-curricular activities including a Junior Drama club, theatre visits, school productions and departmental residential trips to London. In addition, we have a House-Drama competition once a year; these are pupil-directed productions.
 

In the past we have worked on various dance projects in collaboration with other schools and have participated in lessons with Clarkes.
 
Benefits
Theatre Studies is seen an invaluable addition to a range of other subjects and career choices, improving self-confidence, inter-personal and presentational skills and cultural awareness. The Drama Department is committed to providing opportunities for students to develop their confidence and performance skills whilst enriching their communication skills. 
 

Drama at Key Stage 3
 
Drama is a key component of the curriculum. Your son will have two periods of Drama per week in years 8 to 10. The course at Key Stage 3 is very practical and provides an excellent foundation for GCSE Drama. It helps to develop confidence, inter-personal skills, communication, imagination, creativity as well as promoting better articulation and delivery in oral communication.
 
For GCSE Drama course content, please click here 
For A Level Drama course content, please click here