KS3 Drama

Drama is an inspiring and practical subject. Programmes of study promote an involvement in and enjoyment of drama, as performers and/or designers. Additionally, it provides opportunities to attend live theatre performances and develop thoughtful and informed skills as an audience member.

Term 1

The first term is focused on the skills and techniques that are used and how they create different effects for the audience. Students are assessed on their interpretation of a poem.

  • The concept of Drama and the 4 Cs (confidence, communication, co-operation & co-ordination.)
  • The concept of working as a team.
  • The ability to communicate with their peers.
  • The dramatic convention of freeze frame (still image).
  • Focus, gesture and facial expression.
  • Interpretation of a poem.
  • Still image and narration to present an interpretation of the poem.

Term 2

The second term is focused on developing these skills and interpreting a play by Shakespeare. Students are assessed on their extended performance.

  • The relationships between the characters in Hamlet / Romeo and Juliet.
  • The sub-text of these relationships and interpretative skills.
  • Soliloquy study, interpreting the language and to use this to inform performance.
  • Character and scene construction. To reflect in role as a character from Hamlet or Romeo and Juliet.
  • Iambic rhythm and how it is used in Shakespeare’s language.
  • To create a soliloquy and a performance of the soliloquy for assessment.

Term 3

The third term is focused on the use of all the skills learned and developed using combinations of mediums and strategies to create effective and meaningful work.

Styles, genres and practitioners.

  • Epic theatre and Brecht: used to make the audience think. A range of devices to remind the viewers that they are watching theatre and not real life.
  • Musical theatre: song, dance and dialogue to tell a story.
  • Naturalism and Stanislavski: to use naturalistic performances that are as realistic as possible and study method acting.
  • Physical theatre: techniques such as movement, mime, gesture and dance and to explore complex social and cultural issues.
  • A scripted performance and to write a reflective review of the development phase and the performance.