Dance & Drama

DRAMA

Here at LHAA, our focus is to inspire
students with the confidence and creativity to understand the world, both on and off the stage, in a variety of new and engaging ways. It is a common misconception that Drama is just for those who want to be ‘actors’. In fact, it is a subject concerned with the development of transferrable skills that are relevant to all, in terms of personal and social awareness and future employability, whatever the ultimate career choice. However, in our lessons, we also work hard to develop the performance skills of our students (rather than following an issues-based curriculum) so those who wish to study the subject at GCSE and A Level are well prepared.  

The Drama curriculum is ambitious and challenging, using the work of some of the most influential drama practitioners.  

Like the other arts, Drama involves imagination and feelings; it helps us to make sense of the world. We want students to be able to communicate and engage with others in a positive and confident fashion. The language of theatre provides an opportunity for pupils to explore the world of people from other places, times and cultures, and to examine differences and similarities with their own environment. Students will learn to look for solutions to very real problems- problems from their own life, or problems faced by characters in literature or historical figures.  

Drama at LHAA is exciting, interesting and varied. There is a balance of practical and written lessons. Students have opportunities to devise their own work, use drama techniques to explore themes, issues and ideas, interpret the work of playwrights and theatre practitioners and realise text. Practically they develop their physical and vocal skills in performing to an audience and explore how meaning is communicated to an audience through choices of form, style and convention. Through written work we focus on developing evaluative skills; analysing writer’s choices and crafting together clearly communicated points on performance and technical based features. In this way Drama accomplishes several goals at once-enriching students' school experience through the wider curriculum as well as reinforcing traditional academic skills.  

At Key Stage 3, we encourage the students to think of themselves as actors, learning their craft. We develop their vocal and physical skills through the work of practitioners including Berkoff and Brecht. We also give them an understanding of theatre from other times and cultures including Greek Theatre, Commedia Dell’Arte, Victorian Melodrama, Chinese Theatre and Japanese Kabuki Theatre.  

From the streets of Liverpool with Blood Brothers, to the engaging choices of the Live Theatre component, the Drama curriculum at KS4 follows the engaging AQA specification.  

Students are expected to be able to devise their own drama, write a devising log, study a play, review a live performance and perform a script. At LHAA, we wholeheartedly believe that drama can enable our students to grow into more rounded and self-aware young adults. Drama, in short, is essential. 

DANCE

At LHAA, we recognise the vital role of dance in allowing curiosity, creativity and self –expression to develop alongside resilience, confidence and critical thinking skills. Dance embodies some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality Dance education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of Art. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of Dance.