Academic Offer

The drama department works with the music department to offer A Level Performing Arts. The course offers students opportunities to develop their skills, whether in drama performance, directing, stage management, costume design and technical aspects of production.  At GCSE the department offers Drama through CEA, and offers students opportunities for devised performance, improvisation, dance drama, mime or design support.  At both GCSE and A level, students have many opportunities to present their work through performances for parents/guardians, friends and fellow students.

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Extra Curricular Offer

The drama department offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including:

 

• Drama club

• Annual  musical production

• Shimna’s Summer Theatre Academy

 

The drama department also organises theatre visits, both to experience a range of performances and also to tour backstage.  The department hosts visiting artists and theatre companies who work alongside students throughout the year.

 

What We Do Well

The drama department is going from strength to strength.  Our drama OldScholars are now studying theatre in universities throughout Ireland and the UK.  Career destinations include acting with a theatre company in New York  for one student who studied at the The Lir Academy, Ireland’s National Academy of Dramatic Art at Trinity College Dublin.  Another student, who herself has cerebral palsy, has an exciting career working with companies which make drama accessible to everyone.  Another OldScholar works as a drama therapist in Cambridge.

 

As a department, we have made links with our local schools, giving our students the opportunity to share their work in different environments.  This year our students were invited to perform their work at the Slieve Donard Hotel at the annual NICIE conference.  Our current GCSE class has also entered a drama performance for the Carson Awards. We have been successful in winning funding for our Shakespeare Summer School from the IEF.