Drama

Ardingly College Drama Department has a long and distinguished history of opening the subject to all. Ranging from the future stars who go on to achieve greatness at the National Youth Theatre, drama schools or even on the big screen, to those for whom drama builds confidence.

For the drama scholars, and those who participate in productions, workshops or masterclasses, there is the opportunity to work with top-flight actors, directors, designers and writers. We are determined that theatre at Ardingly should spark the imagination, entertain and inspire.

Academic Drama and Theatre Studies

Students can opt to study Drama in Shell and can go on to study it at GCSE and A Level. Trips to theatres and workshops, run by practitioners from well-known theatre companies, enhance their subject knowledge.

Drama develops students’ academic and creative skills through the rigorous study of the drama process and the application of theatre. Students will have the opportunity to study some or all of the five key areas of theatre practices; script work, devising, physical theatre, improvisation and theatre in education.

Facilities

Drama is currently housed in the Drama Studios and in our beautiful, vaulted performance space, The Under. There is a long-term plan to build a dedicated theatre in the College grounds.

An Extensive Co-Curricular Programme

Every year the College stages a whole school production in the Michaelmas term. This alternates on a yearly basis between a musical and a play. We also stage a smaller scale Shell and Remove Play in either the Lent or Trinity term, and an edgier and more challenging Sixth Form production in the Drama Studio.

In the Trinity term the Department creates a short piece of interactive and educational theatre, which tours to local primary schools.

LAMDA at Ardingly College

The College has a team of LAMDA teachers who offer tuition in extra-curricular speech and drama. We prepare our students for external examinations in many different skills, from acting and devised drama, to verse and prose, Shakespeare and speaking in public.

We encourage and invite all prospective students and parents to our school productions; for further information please contact eventsteam@ardingly.com.