Drama - Hurstpierpoint College

Drama

Drama is a thriving art form at Hurst and there are numerous opportunities for students to engage in the theatrical life of the school. Whether students want to take part in one of more than 20 annual extra-curricular productions, or simply study Drama as an academic subject, we believe that one thing is certain: they will leave us with greater self-confidence, and an abundance of theatrical skills.

Sixth Form student dressed in a black suit singing in a drama productionStudents will improve their practical performance and technical skills, develop an appreciation of live theatre, and learn how to communicate meaning through various styles and genres. They will study a range of theatrical texts, from Ancient Greek comedies to modern-day classics, fostering a love of drama in all its guises.

The Drama & Theatre A-level course demands practical, creative, academic and communication skills in almost equal measure. Students will extend their ability to create drama and theatre, either in a performing or production role. They will also be required to write about drama and to develop their powers of analysis to become an informed critic. The course involves taking part in drama productions, as well as studying plays, playwrights and practitioners. They may be keen on acting, writing or on the visual and technical side of theatre and wish to develop their skills in some or all of these areas. Equally they will be interested in going to the theatre to see plays performed by different theatre companies. We follow the EDEXCEL specification which is split into three components, studied across the two-year programme.

Hurst has an impressive suite of new performing arts facilities, including a brand new, state-of-the-art theatre; a drama studio; two newly-built teaching/rehearsal classrooms; drama rooms for one-to-one LAMDA lessons; costume and props stores and access to sound, lighting and staging technology (overseen by two resident technicians).

Co-curricular opportunities

Boy learning over technology laid on table

Extra-curricular opportunities are extensive. Each year Hurst stages more than 20 productions, from large-scale musicals with a professional orchestra, to small-scale scripted and devised plays. All productions offer students the opportunity to act, provide technical support or direct.

Full details about our co-curricular Drama opportunities can be found on the Co-curricular Drama page.

The Drama department also runs The Hurst Stage summer school for children age 9 to 18 years. This takes place during one week in August and is open to pupils across Sussex. It is an all-round theatre experience supported by West End professionals. For further information about The Hurst Stage please email hurst.stage@hppc.co.uk or contact the College Drama department.

Higher Education and career opportunities

The Drama department runs practical workshops for those wishing to study Drama at higher education establishments. At the end of this course, students could go on to study Drama at university or apply to acting courses at recognised drama schools.

The balance of analytical and practical presentational skills which this course demands are also relevant to careers in film and television, media, advertising, public relations, personnel management, marketing and law.

I am hoping to go on to study Medicine at university and taking A-level Dance has benefitted me greatly as it has helped me to develop an acute awareness of the body. I love the anatomical theory aspect of the course and how I can relate it to my own body through dancing. Also, taking dance helps to differentiate me from other medical applicants as it shows I have interests beyond the Sciences. A-level Dance student