Drama

Drama at Blundell's

Blundell’s Drama Department offers a rich and varied programme designed to develop confidence, resilience, and cultural appreciation.

Pupils engage in numerous activities, including three major productions annually, weekly lunchtime play-reading groups, and opportunities to participate in national auditions through links with casting agencies. Enrichment opportunities such as theatre trips, workshops with industry professionals, and Q&A sessions with actors and directors provide valuable insight into the world of theatre. Scholars take a leading role in the department, participating in specialist lunches, mentoring younger pupils, and representing the school at drama events.

pRODUCTIONS
Blundell’s stages three diverse productions each year, ensuring opportunities for pupils of all ages and abilities. Recent shows include Lorna Doone (a historical romance set during the Monmouth Rebellion), Les Misérables (a 19th-century French musical), and Emil and the Detectives (a children’s mystery set in 1920s Berlin). Productions are chosen to reflect a variety of cultural contexts, fostering an appreciation for global narratives. Pupils are involved in every aspect of performance, from acting and singing to set building, costume design, and technical theatre, gaining confidence and resilience through collaboration and challenge.
sPEECH AND DRAMA
The Speech & Drama programme at Blundell’s is highly regarded, with over 80 pupils currently enrolled. Lessons are tailored to individual interests, covering acting, devising, public speaking, and reading for performance. The programme consistently achieves exceptional examination results, with pupils regularly earning national awards for excellence. Annual recitals showcase talent across all year groups, with scholars expected to lead performances and support younger pupils. The programme also provides specialist support for international students, helping them develop strong communication skills. Speech & Drama plays a vital role in building self-confidence, articulation, and emotional intelligence.
FACILITIES
Blundell’s boasts first-class facilities, including the state-of-the-art Ondaatje Theatre, providing pupils with professional-standard spaces for rehearsal and performance. The department offers extensive opportunities for students interested in theatre design, with training in lighting, sound, set construction, and costume design. Pupils gain practical experience working on school productions, guided by a specialist team dedicated to delivering high-quality technical theatre training. These facilities support a holistic approach to drama education, ensuring that students not only excel on stage but also develop a deep understanding of the technical and creative aspects of theatre production.
Opportunities
We are dedicated to providing opportunities to those who are passionate about performing and our links with Nina Gold Casting agency allows a number of pupils to audition for roles in TV and Film. Casting calls in the past have included Harry Potter and Lord of the Flies. We also prepare pupils for auditions with NYT, NYMT and BYMT and many are involved with community and regional theatre.
Preparing our Pupils for life beyond Blundell’s
Many of our pupils go onto various careers within the creative industry and it is our job to ensure each and every one is provided with exceptional support and guidance in preparing for their next steps. Individually tailored audition workshops are ran with our pupils preparing for entrance to Drama Schools and Conservatoires. Studying Drama and being involved in the extracurricular offerings provides pupils with invaluable experience in preparing for life after Blundell’s. Experience in Drama has led pupils on to achieving success in a number of areas after including Law, Medicine, History, Classics & Anthropology. Those who have gone on to work in the industry include Acting for Theatre, Film and TV, Stage Management, Lighting Design, Script Writing and Directing.
Theatre Design at Blundell’s
Drama is not just about performance and we are passionate about providing the highest level of training for pupils who want to develop skills in Lighting, Sound, Set & Costume. There are opportunities to study this within the GCSE and A-Level programme as well as having hands on practical experience within the school productions. Our specialist team are dedicated to providing training in all areas of theatre design, as well as Stage Management.
Scholar’s Programme
We offer a superb scholar’s programme here at Blundell’s and it is our philosophy to provide the highest level of training for those passionate about performance, writing, directing, stage management and technical theatre. Scholars are expected to be fully committed to Drama here at Blundell’s. They will participate in workshops with industry professionals and meet visiting speakers at our specialist scholar’s lunches and Creative Arts Evenings. They will participate in a programme that includes watching a range of theatre productions that will both inspire and challenge them as theatre academics. Scholars are expected to be role models for the younger years and are integral to the growth of the department. Assisting with lower school productions, helping with set building and painting, and running activities with the younger years, including play reading, script writing, acting skills, improvisation and dance, they will both lead and inspire the creative minds of today. Each academic year scholars have access to a range of theatre productions and opportunities to visit a number of theatres in the West End and Stratford-Upon-Avon aswell as regional trips to Bristol, Bath, Exeter & Cornwall. These are often coupled with specially tailored workshops and Q&As, giving our scholars the opportunity feed their intellectual curiosity. Performance scholars are provided with Speech & Drama tuition and expected to take at least one examination each year. Many go on to achieve a Diploma in their chosen specialism. They will perform at the annual Speech and Drama Recital evenings and be expected to read at various school occasions including Remembrance and Christmas & Easter services. Technical Theatre Scholars are provided with training in their chosen area of interest and expected to work on the various school productions throughout the year, assisting with both the design and operation of a show. All Drama Scholars are expected to inspire and encourage their peers and lead by example. They will be actively involved in all community projects, assisting with the running of workshops to local primary & secondary schools. Drama Scholars are expected to work hard in their academic studies and act as role models and conduct themselves in a highly professional manner at all times.
13+ Scholarships
Candidates will be assessed on their performance skills through an audition on a prepared monologue and participation in a group workshop, which will showcase their skills in improvisation, creative throught, teamwork and leadership. They are expected to showcase a range of both vocal and physcial skills and the ability to create and develop character. They will also be interviewed by the Head of Drama where they are expected to discuss attributes they can bring to the department alongside a discussion on theatre and performance. They are expected to demonstrate an unwavering passion for Drama and be prepared to discuss previous productions they have both been involved with, and watched. They will be expected to assist in show weeks, helping backstage and FoH, when not involved on the stage. Successful candidates are expected to study GCSE Drama.
16+ Scholarships
Performance Candidates will be assessed on their performance skills through an audition on a prepared monologue and participation in a group workshop, which will showcase their skills in improvisation, creative throught, teamwork and leadership. They are expected to showcase exceptional potential in both vocal and physical skills and be able to create and develop a role to a professional standard. They need to be willing to challenge themselves and show the ability to respond intuitively to redirection. They will be interviewed by the Head of Drama and Artistic Director. Design candidates will be assessed on their design skills during a practical session with the Theatre Technician/Design teacher and an interview with the Head of Drama. During the interview all candidates are expected to discuss attributes they can bring to the department alongside a discussion on theatre and performance. They are expected to demonstrate an unwavering passion for Drama and be prepared to discuss previous productions they have both been involved with and watched. Performance Scholars will be expected to assist in show weeks, helping backstage and FoH, when not involved on the stage, and Design Scholars will be expected to contribute to the design and running of the school productions. All Drama Scholars are expected to participate in the running of workshops with the younger years. Successful candidates are expected to study A-Level Drama & Theatre.
Successful Candidates
Successful candidates will demonstrate exceptional abilities in performance/theatre design. They will have an interest in theatre and strive to push themselves, both practically and academically. They are expected to have seen a wide range of productions and be able to discuss, in detail, the theatrical decisions made by the creative team. They will have experience in performing/designing, both in and out of school and be passionate about developing their skills and pushing themselves to achieve their true potential.