Drama at Repton | Repton School

EXTRA CURRICULAR

DRAMA

At Repton we understand the value of Performance Drama in promoting the free expression of ideas, opening minds and building self-esteem. It also supports academic learning, teaching young people how to understand and interpret complex texts. Looking to life beyond the Arch, it encourages a healthy work ethic, emphasising the value of teamwork and collaboration, how to respond to healthy criticism, as well as the importance of working to deadlines.

DRAMA PERFORMANCES at REPTON

Performance Drama at Repton sees a thriving, diverse and exciting range of drama performances each year, including popular classics, large-scale West End musicals, and contemporary plays for young people.

Repton Drama produces three main shows each year; two whole school productions and a Lower School production in the Summer Term. Auditions for school productions are open to the whole school, not just those studying academic drama in the classroom. Whatever their skills and aspirations are - be that on stage in an acting role, or behind the scenes as technical crew - all roles are equally important and celebrated. Drama productions are an ideal opportunity for pupils of all abilities to develop their creative, technical and performing craft, as well as building confidence, communication and team-working skills. Recent performances include an adaptation of ‘Frankenstein’, ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘The Snow Dragons’. Repton Drama productions are renowned for their professional standards and play a significant role in the creative and cultural life of the school community.

We have an active Drama Scholarship programme, with regular workshops, trips and other enrichment opportunities, plus an annual Award Holders’ Showcase for B Block pupils at the start of each Michaelmas Term.

Our Director of Drama is an expert in prosthetics and provides pupils with masterclasses as well as develop stunning make up that elevates every production.

Everyone is invited – whether they are on the stage, behind the scenes or in the audience of our wonderful productions. Our hope is that every Reptonian will develop a lifelong appreciation of the theatre.

DID YOU KNOW...

"The 1930s Hollywood swashbuckler Basil Rathbone first trod the boards at Repton and one imagines he’d be mighty impressed by the professional-standard facilities enjoyed by students today – including a black box studio and spectacular 315-seat theatre largely run by students backstage but with professionals such as choreographers brought in when required”

- Good Schools Guide

THE 400 HALL

The award-winning 400 Hall is home to the Drama department, originally built to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the School. Following a multi-million-pound redevelopment in 2011, the theatre was redesigned to provide a capacity of 315 seats on two levels, in a similar theatre design of the horseshoe form developed for the Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre at RADA, giving pupils the learning environment to explore and perform in a diverse variety of theatre styles.

Included within the redevelopment was the addition of a modern and adaptable ‘black box’ Studio Theatre, which supports a dedicated teaching space as well as offering the flexibility to perform and host both intimate drama pieces.

LAMDA

Individual LAMDA speech, communication and performance lessons are also offered at Repton, in which pupils achieve grades to a very high standard in acting and public speaking. LAMDA’s Acting performance examinations use drama to develop self-confidence, physical presence and a strong speaking voice, with pupils developing their craft as an actor, assessed on their interpretation of character and technical ability. Pupils studying towards a Speaking in Public examination will develop the skills necessary for effective oral communication, public presentation and engagement with an audience. LAMDA equips pupils with valuable skills required in this modern world and life beyond the Arch. LAMDA Medal level exams carry UCAS points which beneﬁt university applications. For example, a Grade 8 LAMDA exam result at Distinction level, carries 30 UCAS points (to provide context, a C grade A Level carries 32 UCAS points).