Year 9 – The actor and the audience

‘I can take any empty space and call it a bare stage. A man walks across this empty space, whilst someone else is watching him, and this is all that is needed for an act of theatre to be engaged’ Peter Brook

In Year 9 students will study the unique relationship between the actor and the audience. The Year 9 curriculum will adapt and develop accordingly over the next 2 years to ensure students have the best knowledge of theatre, dramatic devices and practitioners of drama in preparation for GCSE and beyond. Students will start by studying Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ which they will also have the opportunity to audition for in September as part of our annual Shakespeare production.

Throughout the year students will have the opportunity to study a range of post 2000 play texts and innovative theatre companies of the 21st century, discovering more challenging dramatic techniques, themes and characters. Students will finish the year exploring Theatre in Education and consider the impact that theatre can have on its audience; educating, engaging and enthusing. Some students will be selected to perform in a short Theatre in Education tour of local primary schools.

At the end of Year 9, students will consider the question ‘How does theatre communicate with its audience?’ They will draw together their understanding of how theatre inspires people and the importance of an actor’s ability to tell a story and engage an audience.

The Drama Department provides opportunities for Year 9 students to be involved outside of class, including taking part in the senior show directed by Leeds University students, attending specialist skills workshops, going on theatre trips, becoming a Drama Ambassador and auditioning to be in school shows.

Useful links:

Revision- BBC Bitesize Drama KS3/KS4

GCSE (9-1) Drama-Eduqas

Local theatres - Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Grand Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall, Northern School of Contemporary dance and The Carriage Works.

Local Drama Groups - First Floor at Leeds Playhouse, Young Theatre Makers at the Carriage Works, Stagecoach Theatre Arts, Drama Rama- Leeds, Rebel Theatre School and Casting Agency and the Yorkshire School of Acting.