Special Talent: Drama

DRAMA

Expectations

A Drama scholar is expected to show distinctive dramatic skills, relative to their age, which are reflected in a genuine enthusiasm, an understanding of the medium and a consistency in effort.

All Drama scholars are expected to be involved in a drama club, or society separate to their current school provision, in addition to taking part in school productions,. It is a requirement for all candidates to be a member of a drama society outside of school. Those who are awarded a scholarship will be required to take part in extracurricular Drama at Kingswood.

Assessments for Award:

All candidates must provide a written report from their current Drama teacher, detailing their talent, commitment and approach to the subject.

Year 7: All UK candidates will take part in a short practical workshop with other candidates. This will be led by a member of the department and observed by others.

The workshop will involve games and activities designed to assess the candidate’s dramatic skills. Candidates will be asked to perform a short monologue, which they should have memorised. This monologue should be from a published play and not a poem or other written piece. Candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of their character and of the whole play.

Candidates should be prepared to accept and implement directorial suggestions in front of the group. It is good practice for the monologue to have been learnt specifically for the audition process.

Candidates will be required to fill in a short questionnaire outlining their experiences and achievements in the field of drama.

Year 9 : An interview is arranged during a visit to the Drama Department, providing an opportunity for the Head of Drama or other Departmental staff to talk with the potential scholar.

Each candidate should also prepare: • A portfolio demonstrating interest and involvement in drama. This can include photographs, programmes, • press cuttings, certificates etc. Two short monologues lasting a minimum of 3 minutes in total, which should be memorised. These monologues should be from a published play and not a poem or other written piece. Candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of their characters and of the whole plays. Candidates should be prepared to accept and implement directorial suggestions in front of the group. It is good practice for the monologues to have been learnt specifically for the audition process.

The individual interview will give each candidate the opportunity to demonstrate their passion and knowledge.

Year 12: An interview is arranged during a visit to the Drama Department, providing an opportunity for the Head of Drama or other Departmental staff to talk with the potential scholar.

Each candidate should prepare: • A portfolio demonstrating interest and involvement in drama. This can include photographs, programmes, • press cuttings, certificates etc. Evidence of GCSE coursework (if the students is studying a GCSE • drama course). Two monologues, one modern and one Shakespearean, which they should have memorised.

In addition, candidates will be required to read and perform a previously unseen passage. Candidates should be prepared to accept and implement directorial suggestions in front of the group.

The individual interview will give each candidate the opportunity to demonstrate their passion and knowledge.

Overseas candidates MUST submit photographs, digital files etc to provide evidence of work which is supported by a reference from a Drama teacher at their current school. Candidates awarded a Special Talent Scholarship based on photographic or recorded evidence, will have their skills tested on arrival.

All candidates must take part in regular Drama activities which are extra to the curriculum requirements of their current school.

The school reserves the right to withdraw any such award if it emerges that a student has not made a bona fide application. Head of Drama Mrs Jo Brayton jbrayton@kingswood.bath.sch.uk Tel. Number: 01225 734473