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- Drama & Theatre Studies
Drama & Theatre Studies
Drama and Theatre Studies provides students with opportunities that they are unlikely to find in their other secondary school subjects.
Whether it is public speaking, learning how to work successfully in teams, creative expression, or simply the building of personal confidence, Drama provides learners with a unique skillset that will continue to serve them well long after their years here at school.
From the earliest recorded days of theatre back in the times of Ancient Greece, we know that human beings have used the dramatic arts to tell their own stories and explore the perspectives of others. That’s how we approach the subject at BISJ.
From KS3 onwards, students should expect to be experimenting with the tried and tested techniques of the craft, exploring the scripts of great, international playwrights, and working alongside others to devise their own unique performances.
As the culture around us evolves and live performance takes on a vital importance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the youthful field of Drama and Theatre has never been more energised here. These are exciting courses for exciting people living in exciting times. We look forward to seeing you on stage!
Our Key Stage 3 curriculum is all about unlocking creativity and building essential theatrical skills. Students dive deep into the art form, exploring techniques like still image, mime, and physical theatre. It's not just about acting; it's also about finding your voice, expressing yourself, and feeling confident on stage.
One of the most exciting parts of our drama classes is devising. Here, students come together to create their own original performances from scratch. It's a journey of discovery, where they brainstorm ideas, develop characters, and weave stories together. Through this process, they learn how to think critically, solve problems, and collaborate effectively.
Of course, we also dig into scripted material. From classic plays to contemporary works, students analyse texts, dissect characters, and bring stories to life. Our goal is to understand the deeper meaning behind the words to help us connect with the audience.
But drama doesn't exist in a vacuum. We believe in making connections across subjects, which is why we often collaborate with the English and History departments. By exploring themes and ideas from different angles, students gain a richer understanding of the world around them, enhancing their theatrical experiences with insights from literature and history.
And as students’ progress through Key Stage 3, we're not just preparing them for the next grade – we're preparing them for their theatrical journey ahead. With a strong foundation in creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking, this course sets students up for success in the IB Theatre course and beyond – shaping future storytellers, leaders, and innovators.
The IGCSE Drama course offered by Cambridge is an extensive programme that combines practical exercises with theoretical study, enabling learners to gain a profound understanding of drama.
The course emphasises the development of both individual and group skills, which are crucial for effectively communicating ideas and emotions to an audience. Students are encouraged to explore the performance potential of various texts and stimuli, as well as to create their own dramatic works, thus nurturing creativity and originality.
A key aspect of the course is the cultivation of performance skills, which are integral to the assessments that include both written examinations and coursework. Designed to be both engaging and educational, the course aims to foster a lasting passion for drama amongst its participants.
Syllabus Cambridge IGCSE Drama
The IB Theatre course is offered at both higher and standard level. The Higher-Level Theatre course offers students the opportunity to:
- explore theatre genres from around the world
- deepen their knowledge of theatre theorists
- develop their theatre production design skills
- and create collaboratively with their peers, through devising a group performance for a live audience.
The Standard-Level Theatre course offers students the same opportunities, although they will focus on production, collaboration and world theatre aspects, without the theatre theorist element of study.