Drama Year 7

For many students, drama in year 7 is the first experience of studying drama in school and the first experience of taking part in an active and practical lesson, inside the classroom. Drama in year 7 is all about building skill and confidence, introducing students to the world of drama in a safe and enjoyable way.

Term one: Drama basics & Pantomime.

The first six weeks in year 7 ease students into drama routines with a short course in drama basics and essentials; this involves time spent negotiating classroom rules and procedures (the freeze rule, always bring your trainers, alphabetical circles etc) to make students feel comfortable in this new environment, moving on to essential drama skills. Students will look at the basic principles of improvisation, physical theatre, mime, transitions, narration, freeze frames and use of voice. Many of the warm up games and team building exercises students learnt here will set them in good stead for the rest of their drama career and they will re visit them many times throughout their drama studies. In the second half of this term, students will move on to study elements of pantomime (to help get into the Christmas spirit!). As well as exploring the ingredients that make up a pantomime, students will finish the first term with a small group performance of a well known panto.

Term two: Greek Theatre

As well as giving the students a firm grounding in a crucial part of theatre history through the exploration of Geek theatre and myths, students begin to make the most progress in their capabilities in term two. In this unit, students will explore parts of the tragic tale of Oedipus the King and move on later to bring to life the famous tale of Theseus and the Minotaur – a particularly favourite moment for most students is the creation of the monster, through physical theatre and finally, the killing of the monster in a bloody battle! In recreating these tales, students learn about the features of a ‘chorus’ in drama, also how to use transitions and the impact of thought tracking and monologue – skills which will pave their way to success as they continue to study drama. The unit ends with small groups choosing their own Greek Myth to perform.

Term Three: Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations!

This well known play by the fantastic playwright ‘Alan Ayckbourn’ is a great script for students to end the year on – Ernie, a young and imaginative chap is taken to the doctor by his parents to see about his ‘illucinations’! It is here that the audience learns that Ernie’s fantastic imagination has been bringing all sorts of strange events to real life – from saving his granny from a burning helicopter, to watching his great Auntie May knock out the heavy weight world champion in the boxing ring! As students read and explore the play, not only do they build upon the new skills they have learnt throughout the year, but they face one last challenge – to structure their own performance, inventing their own ‘illucination’ for Ernie to daydream into real life! This is the biggest challenge that students face in terms of directing and organising themselves- which is one of the most valuable skills that drama addresses, and features heavily as students progress onwards and upwards.