ELEMENTARY SCHOOL drama lessons provide the students with an opportunity to develop their creative expression through class improvisations by retelling and dramatizing myths, fables, and fairy tales from various cultures and times. Through improvisations they become increasingly proficient at using the body, the voice and the imagination to express ideas. Every student in the Elementary school is involved in an annual production. There is a Grade 4 and 5 production and a separate Grade 1, 2 and 3 production. The choice of plays tries to reflect units of study in the curriculum where appropriate.

ALI BABA AND THE BONGO BANDITS
December 3, 2019
Grade 4 and 5 students treated their audience to non-stop funny, witty one-liners in the play, and kept the audience on their toes.

MIDDLE SCHOOL students in drama class experience a range of theatrical genres including units on Shakespeare, Greek Theater, Protest Theater, African Theater and Improvisation. There is a strong emphasis on building self-confidence and self-image, as well as developing group work and collaboration skills. Every Middle School student participates in a public performance (usually a musical production for students in Grades 7 and 8, and a piece of formal theater in Grade 6).

The PRODUCTION ELECTIVE encourages Upper School students to develop their interest in and enjoyment of Musical Theater. The course provides an opportunity to combine into performance both solo and chorus singing, dancing, and acting skills. Students also explore all the elements of production such as set and costume design, performance and marketing. Classes include the application of drama, music, and dance and include research, reflection, and critique on various aspects of Musical Theater. Production students showcase their work in a musical production in the third term.

ANNIE
April 17 & 18, 2019
A 20-strong cast of middle schoolers wowed us in their musical theater performance of Annie. The students of our Middle School Production class worked hard all year to bring this musical together, from developing character, designing set and costumes, managing the staging, props, lighting, mic and tech needs, not to mention the singing, acting, and dancing skills that every cast member demonstrated in this demanding piece of theater. Our Production class members gave a truly polished, confident, and talented performance. Bravo! Encore!

HIGH SCHOOL students who take this elective course are introduced to a wide range of disciplines in theater by means of practical application. The course is designed to give students practical experience in aspects of theater including performance, set and costume design, marketing, directing and theory. There are two Theater Arts public performances per annum (one per semester). Besides their performance roles, students are also heavily involved in the planning, marketing and managing of these productions. There is a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration as well as theatrical technique.

THE SINGLE MAN
November 19 & 20, 2019
This was a completely student-run  production where the Theater Arts students were responsible for choosing the script, casting the roles, sourcing or making the props, designing all the tech elements, finding costumes as well as doing the marketing and ticket sales for the two performance nights. The group worked effectively, taking on an area of responsibility and giving everyone an opportunity to show off their leadership respective skills. They were challenged constantly with their vocal and physical skills in their characterization work and were always open to constant feedback, so they could give of their best on the nights. A job well done!