Drama Classes

During our weekly after-school classes, we encourage children’s innate instinct to play with drama-based games and exercises.

Each class includes icebreaker games (to energise and build rapport), drama exercises (to introduce and develop specific techniques) and scenarios (to give pupils a framework around which to create their own unique scenes). Each term is built around a set theme and culminates in a Devised Performance (which is showcased as part of a digital exam, a class performance or a school showcase).

This creative and collaborative process provides endless fun whilst developing pupils’ social and emotional skills. Check out our Instagram feed to see what our pupils get up to in class each week!

Teaching style
We adopt a progressive and nurturing teaching style which puts play and exploration at the centre of learning. Traditional approaches to teaching often instruct children to absorb and repeat information (at the expense of them understanding what is actually being taught). At Dramatis, we put children’s ideas first and help our pupils to really make sense of concepts and characters. Pivotal to this approach, is having a strong sense of who our pupils are – their strengths, challenges, skills and personalities. By building a strong rapport with pupils, we’re better able to support them as they create their own unique devised scenes.

Term Outcomes
To ensure structure, we align closely with the Trinity College London Speech and Drama syllabus. Each term also has a specific outcome in the form of a Devised Performance.

In the Spring Term, pupils work towards a performance to camera as part of a Trinity College graded exam. The Trinity exams use a positive marking system that does not deduct marks for mistakes, but rewards for successes. Examiners give constructive and encouraging feedback, which helps to build confidence at the start of the year. The exam and filming process also give children a goal to work towards before performing in front of an audience.

In the Summer Term, we build on this confidence as children work towards an in-class performance, during which they demonstrate what they’ve been working on to their parents (and classmate’s parents). This informal sharing gives children the foundations to perform to an audience.

In the Autumn Term, our school showcase incorporates all pupils and includes professional lighting, props and costumes. The event is ticketed with friends and family invited along. This more formal performance gives children the opportunity to share their work in a public arena.

Class Groups
Our groups are structured according to the National Curriculum’s Key Stage learning groups (based on the age pupils are on the first day of term):

GROUP	AGE	KEY STAGE	SCHOOL YEAR	DAY	TIME
The Garrick	7-11	2	Years 3 to 6	Mon	4.30pm to 5.30pm
The Royal Court	11-14	3	Years 7 to 9	Mon	5.45pm to 6.45pm

FREE Trial Sessions and Workshops
Nervous about your child committing to a new hobby? We offer free trial sessions and workshops throughout the year so children can get a feel for what Dramatis classes are all about before joining. To find out more and book in, CLICK HERE.

Bring A Friend Day (BAFD)
Each term includes a Bring a Friend Day where pupil’s can bring a friend along to the class for free. As well as introducing more children to the benefits of drama, this also helps pupils to integrate their friendship groups and provides parents with a free Play Date activity. Whilst we hope some of our guests might sign up for the full term, there is no pressure to do so (and we do not take email addresses or follow up with any marketing).

SUMMER TERM 2024

Have you got a little monster in the making at home? Or a sensitive soul who tends to shy away? Or a tweenager who’s ghosting you in more ways than one? This Summer Term’s theme is Spooky Spectacles and pupils will be channelling their creative energies into all things scary as they develop unique characters and storylines. Drama based games and exercises will be focused on Spontaneous Improvisation which will help pupils to elevate their devised scenes. These will be shown to parents at then end of term during a Class Performance. Ready to get silly with the spooky? Come join us…

What: Spooky Spectacles (full term)
Dates: Mon 15 Apr to Mon 22 Jul
Age Groups: The Garrick (7-11) and The Royal Court (11-14)
Start Time: The Garrick (4.30pm) and The Royal Court (5.45pm)
No. of Classes: 13 (including Class Performance)
Price: £136.50 (£10.50 per lesson)
Discounts: 10% Earlybird discount if booking before 15 March
Bring a Friend Day (BAFD): Mon 29 Apr
Bank Holiday: Mon 6 May (no classes!)
Half Term: Mon 27 May (no classes!)
Class Performance: Mon 15 July