Drama at King's
King's has a thriving drama and performing arts scene. Every year the department stages a large-scale blockbuster performance, alternating between a musical and a play.
Pupils of all ages can get involved, from acting, dancing, singing and playing in the band, to back stage costume and make-up artist work, and set building and lighting.
Performances
Pupils have gone on to study the subject at drama school and university, and work in the profession in a number of careers both on stage and behind the scenes.
Ours is a working theatre, at the heart of our community, and pupils are actively encouraged to involve themselves in its day-to-day running, thereby learning new skills. We try to offer a wide variety of performances in which to participate. For example:
- Large-scale musical Grease
- The Scholars’ Murder Mystery,
- Classic drama in the form of The Great Gatsby
Past productions have included:
Charlotte's Webb; Twelfth Night; Alice in Wonderland; The Wizard of Oz; Guys and Dolls; Much Ado About Nothing; An Inspector Calls; The Ice Palace; The Sound of Music; Metamorphosis; The Importance of Being Earnest; Fantastic Mr Fox; The Lady in the Van; The Great Gatsby; Grease; and A Christmas Carol.
Our Facilities
The school is very fortunate in having a 250-seat dedicated theatre fully equipped with computer lighting desk, a large inventory of lanterns, up-to-date sound systems and flexible staging plus a full-time theatre manager to which the drama department has full access.
The department itself also has a black box drama studio with dance floor, staging and computer lighting desk and sound system. In addition it has a dedicated teaching space and extensive costume and prop stores, which enable pupils to access equipment easily in daily drama classes and this is encouraged.
Our wonderful amphitheatre, is an exciting facility that gives us an excellent opportunity perform outside and in the round.
Opportunities
Our pupils are afforded every opportunity to challenge themselves creatively during their time at King’s. Many take their acting and performing incredibly seriously, and a handful of pupils take the decision to pursue this as their chosen career.
In recent years, Janet K gained a place at the National Youth Theatre, and more recently, Sixth Form pupils Cerian C and Daniela M have gained places at a prestigious drama school for acting.
Pupils often expand their knowledge and skills by entering events and competitions. We’re fortunate enough to have a number of festivals in our home town of Taunton (music, drama, and dance), but a little further afield, the Exeter Northcott Theatre continues to develop events and opportunities for young people to get create. Ralph H has entered the theatre’s short film competition and has attended two interviews so far, with the winner announcement pending …
Commenting, our Head of Drama and Performing Arts, Ms Agg-Manning, says: “We are very lucky to have such talented students at King’s who are extremely driven, when they put their mind to it, and more often than not they succeed. The Performing Arts Department sees many successes and we are so fortunate to have the resources to help support them in their journey, be it acting or technical. I am thrilled with having two students this year accepted to drama schools, and I cannot wait to see Ralph’s film in all its glory."