Drama

Drama is a cherished element of the curriculum at Cranleigh Abu Dhabi and is integral to the solid foundation that our School offers.

Pupils have the opportunity to develop a wide variety of skills for life, such as collaboration, creativity, confidence and many more. Specialist Drama lessons are timetabled weekly for Years 3 to 9. This is an excellent way to extend knowledge and appreciation through cross-curricular activities and for delving into themes and events. Drama is an essential active-learning tool, allowing rich exploration into a range of topics that we face as a society.

Flickr album: Drama at Cranleigh AD | Height: 430px | Theme: Justified | Skin: Default Skin

Creating, Performing and Responding skills ensure that teamwork, focus and reflection are as important as the art of performing. They provide a framework that facilitates guidance and growth. Each individual is responsible for their own Drama targets, identifying what they want to focus on and what they need to do to achieve success as they move forward. The transferable skills of Drama benefit pupils both within the Drama studio and across all other areas of study and life.

Like theatre, drama in schools can unlock the use of imagination, intellect, empathy and courage. Through it, ideas, responses and feelings can be expressed and communicated. It carries the potential to challenge, to question and to bring about change.

Jude Kelly,
Theatre Director

Drama in the Senior School

As our pupils move into Senior School education, Drama is available as an examination option at GCSE and A Level. We study the AQA Drama GCSE, where students explore thought-provoking topics, whilst expanding on practical acting skills. They use body and voice to create a wide range of different characters, as well as experimenting with various performance styles. We study a range of texts and watch live performances for discussion and evaluation. They have the opportunity to create their own work, whilst also looking at plays written by playwrights. Students also develop a working knowledge of the technical aspects of the theatre; including direction, set design and lighting.

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Drama in the Sixth Form

We offer AQA A-Level Drama in Sixth form. Students evolve an understanding of how all production elements work together with acting, to create an effective and meaningful performance. Drama at A Level builds upon the devising and scripted work of GCSE. At this stage, pupils explore theatre practitioners, a variety of theatre history and live theatre analysis. The work is both creative and collaborative by nature. The transferable skills of Drama A Level are applicable to any degree and future profession.