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Drama Department
Drama News
It has been another busy year for the Drama Department, with record numbers taking GCSE this year; forty candidates took the course and thirty nine took the final examination. AS and A2 numbers were relatively small, four in each year group but next year’s AS group is larger than ever with 23 students opting to take the course. The highlight of the year for me was directing the musical “Sweet Charity” and I have nothing but praise for the energy and enthusiasm of the team of pupils and staff that made it such a success. Particular thanks must go to the crew of the production who put a huge amount of work in at the last minute: Seth Richards, Russell Fleming, Michael Saupe, Sasha Synytskyy and Hunter Warden gave a lead to the younger members of the crew and are as much deserving of praise as those ‘in the limelight’.
Sadly, after a period of illness, Mark Ashmore left the department and we are very grateful to Maurice Marshall and his team from the Northcott Theatre and Stage Electrics for supporting and facilitating the technical aspects of our many productions since February of this year. Maurice and his team coped with the changing demands that were placed on them and did everything required with consummate skill and considerable good humour. All of us in the drama department are very grateful for your contribution.
Ondaatje Hall is becoming increasingly busy and, now that it is used as a classroom, the demands for the space are sometimes more than we can cope with. It seems that the pressures and demands placed on pupils are also increasing and for the first time since I have been at Blundell’s the year 9 and 10 play had to be cancelled. Mrs Milne who was directing it found that a lack of rehearsal time, and a busy Summer calendar which prevented the performance date being moved, made the project unworkable.
The Drama Department is very much a ‘team event’ and I am very grateful for the support of the stalwarts, Rachel Milne, Heather Corden, and Caroline Steel. In addition thanks are due to various members of the Music Department, in particular James Taylor, who contributed to the department productions with such enthusiasm.Fiona Baddeley
Director of Drama
Blundell's and 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'
On 25th September five Blundell’s students were given the opportunity to audition for the lead role in Disney’s Voyage of the Dawn Treader. A casting agent, representing the production company put the students through their paces and filmed the results. He was impressed by both the enthusiasm and skill of the students. It will be at least a couple of months before they will find out if they have been successful and go on to the next round of auditions in this nationwide search. Watch this space…
House Play season
 FH: 'Allo 'Allo |
 OH: Fawlty Towers |
 Petergate: Laugh? I Nearly Went to Miami! |
Here are some images from last year's House Play season that saw young Blundellians transport audiences from war time France, to a run down hotel in Torquay, via Miami with a suitcase of stolen money.
Drama Department Policy Statement
As part of the whole school curriculum students will be provided with a rich and diverse experience of the historical, cultural and practical aspects of drama.
Drama classes will be taught in the specially equipped teaching spaces by staff who are either subject specialists in their own right, or who have undertaken additional training in the teaching of drama.
The breadth and balance of the drama curriculum will ensure that students are taught how to create, perform, and respond to drama by working with a variety of stimuli from different sources and traditions.
Students will be taught the skills involved in different aspects of drama. The art of the playwright, director, designer, technician and critic will be as much part of the students experience as the art of the actor.
Students will be given frequent opportunities to watch and learn from peers and professionals. Every possible opportunity to invite professionals into the school will be taken and every student will be given the opportunity to make at least one visit to a theatre, or to support the Ondaatje Hall programme, at each stage of the curriculum.
Where possible, cross curricular opportunities will be developed with other departments.
Students will be encouraged to fulfil their individual potential and to reflect critically on their own achievements.
The department will aim to provide a disciplined, organised and supportive environment.
It will be made clear to the students what they are learning and why.
Students will keep records of their work.
Students’ progress in creating, performing and responding to drama will be monitored and recorded at least twice a term and reported on at least twice a year.
There will be at least two major school productions per year, one for the lower school and one for the upper school. Open auditions will be held for these. While plays are usually directed by a member of the drama department, this may not necessarily be the case and other members of staff are encouraged to do so.
Houses will also be encouraged to put on plays and will be supported by the Drama Department.
The Drama Department may also offer various clubs in activity time, depending
on staffing and interests.
| Staff |
| Miss Fiona Baddeley, Director
Of Drama, B.A. Hons. University of York, M.A Hons. Courtauld Institute of Art, PGCE University of Cambridge Mrs Heather Corden (Drama Teacher), Specialises in costume design Mrs Rachel Milne (Drama Teacher), B.A. Hons. University of Wales Aberystwyth, PGCE University of Exeter Mr Roger Winwood, BSc Hons. OU (Technician) |
Contacting the Drama department
Tel: 01884 232350
E-mail: fab@blundells.org / ma@blundells.org