Perhaps the most familiar kinds of activity which
one would usually associate with the word DRAMA are acting,
theatrical productions, radio plays, films, TV, plays, and series…
and so on. These activities are primarily concerned with entertaining
an audience and are more "formal" or traditional expressions
of the Art form that is Drama.
While Educational Drama has performance Aspects,
it is primarily concerned with providing a course of study
to promote and encourage the personal development of each
student. Whilst various practical theatrical techniques are
used (e.g. improvisation, mime, tableau, projection, etc).
In order to achieve this, our ultimate aims are as follows.
- To examine our society in the
light of our own experience and, through research, enquiry
and practical experiment, to extend that experience and
so broaden our understanding.
- To examine ourselves our behaviour,
feelings, motives and aspirations-in order to try to understand
others.
- To promote and encourage awareness,
enjoyment and understanding of a major Art form.
- To develop the confidence and
competence of the individual in using this ART form to
communicate his/her own ideas to others.
Pupils at Hall Mead take Drama as a compulsory
subject in Years 7,8, and 9 Drama is offered at GCSE as an option
subject during the 10th and 11th years where it is an extremely
popular choice! Drama is increasingly regarded in many areas
of employment as being indicative of certain personal abilities
and qualities. It is widely used by industrial trainers to motivate
and build confidence in employees. Drama emphasises the use
of evaluative and self assessment skills which are reflected
in the increasingly popular appraisal schemes in both private
and public sectors. Role play is a respected and effective way
of learning certain skills, acquiring certain types of information
and, more importantly, making decisions. The students work and
learn through safeguarded "pretend" situations as preparation
for adult life.
A director of UBI-understanding British Industry,
a subsidiary of the CBI states in a report on industries which
use Drama as part of their training programmes; "I am entirely
convinced that Drama makes a major contribution towards preparing
young people for the world of work and encourages them to
develop skills which enable them to communicate successfully.
In UBI we have used and encouraged Drama whenever possible."
C Lucas
Head of Department
