Drama Department

The Drama Department at Nonsuch has grown considerably over the past few years. Drama is a popular subject and students at Nonsuch and the department take great pride in contributing to the thriving arts activities across the school.

The 2005 academic year saw the department finally housed in permanent accommodation. Our accommodation consists of two well sized studio spaces. Drama Studio One has blackout facilities to enable practical work and most importantly our examination performances. Studio Two is a bright and open space which provides students with the perfect location for lesson activities, rehearsals and a back stage area on performance nights. Our range of technical equipment continues to grow and offers both GCSE and A Level students the possibility to experiment with ways to use staging, lighting and sound to enhance their work. Studio One now has permanent loud speakers for us with portable sound desk. Our A Level students are also ever challenging the use of technology in their work and make constant use of projection and digital devices to achieve this.

The standard of our performance work continues to be a huge strength of the department. Each year, a high proportion of our GCSE and A Level students are awarded full performance marks by our visiting examiners and moderators. Most notably the chief practical moderator for AQA stated that the work of our GCSE students was exemplary and clearly beyond the standard expected at GCSE level study.

The Curriculum

Years 7, 8 and 9 have two one hour Drama lessons across the two-week timetable. Students are taught a range of performance and technical skills as well as learning transferable skills. Key issues faced by teenagers are also explored through practical work and discussion tasks. The Drama Department is committed to the delivery of Citizenship and the promotion of spiritual, moral and cultural awareness.

Many GCSE and A Level students continue their dramatic study with us; a number of students also read Drama at degree level and forge successful careers in the arts and related fields. Recent students have specialised in Theatre Design, Fashion Design, Stage Management and Musical Theatre. Past students return to report how invaluable their drama skills have been in their chosen fields.

Extra Curricular Activities

Our students are constantly engaged in a range of arts activities both inside school and beyond…

	Arts Award -
	Nonsuch is a registered Arts Award centre. 17 of our pilot candidates gained their Silver award in May 2007. This year we have 50 students participating in the scheme supported by 4 trained advisors. The Bronze, Silver and Gold awards are an excellent complement to GCSE and A Level qualifications and are increasingly recognised by universities and arts institutions. For more information see the Arts Award site www.artsaward.org.uk
	School Productions -
	Years 7 to 10 have the opportunity to take part in our school productions. Our last show was 'Peter Plan'. Planning is currently under way for a large production in 2009.

Theatre Trips -

The department takes all year groups to the theatre and arranges workshops with professionals. Recent trips include: 'The Enchanted Pig' at the Young Vic 'Twelfth Night' by Propeller Theatre Company Tim Supple's highly acclaimed 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' 'Tin Tin' at the Barbican Theatre 'Woyzeck' free tickets supplied to A Level students by The Young Vic A viewing of Trevor Nunn's 'Twelfth Night' followed by a master class with Kevin Spacey 'Blood Brothers' 'The Women in Black'

Many of our students continue their drama study outside school. Nonsuch students are members of the National Youth Theatre, Epsom Playhouse and Laine Theatre Arts.