Drama at Emanuel School 

The Drama Department at Emanuel is a dynamic and vibrant hub of creativity, offering students an inspiring blend of outstanding teaching and a rich programme of performances, workshops, and theatre visits. Drama is central to life at Emanuel, thriving as both an academic subject and a co-curricular passion, where students are encouraged to explore, create, and perform at the highest level. 

Our award-winning programme reflects the energy and ambition of the department. In 2022, Emanuel was proud to win the National Independent Schools’ Award for Performing Arts., and in 2024, we received the National School Theatre Award for Best Song in a Musical alongside a nomination for Best Musical. These accolades demonstrate our commitment to empowering students to excel and innovate in theatre.

Scholarships and Opportunities 

Emanuel’s Drama Scholarship Programme supports the next generation of performers and theatre-makers. Open to students entering Year 6, Year 7, or Year 12, the programme offers tailored opportunities such as:

  • Workshops with industry professionals.
  • One-on-one mentoring with our expert staff.
  • Priority roles in co-curricular productions.
  • Scholars only theatre visits and Q+A sessions

Scholars develop their craft within a dynamic and supportive environment, gaining invaluable experience on stage and behind the scenes. 

For more information about applying for a Drama Scholarship click here. 

A Pathway to the Performing Arts 

Emanuel’s Drama Department is dedicated to supporting students who aspire to careers in the performing arts. From audition masterclasses to one-on-one coaching, we guide students through every stage of their journey—whether applying to drama schools, universities, or entering the industry directly. 

Drama at Emanuel is more than just a subject; it’s a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and excellence. We invite you to explore all that our department has to offer and discover how we bring the magic of theatre to life. 

Co-Curricular Drama 

Emanuel’s co-curricular drama programme is a vibrant extension of classroom learning, offering students unparalleled opportunities to perform, create, and collaborate. 

 

Drama Academic Curriculum 

Drama is a cornerstone of education at Emanuel, with opportunities for all students to explore the art of theatre-making from Year 6 through to Sixth Form. 

Lower School (Years 6–9) 

Every student in Years 6–9 has dedicated Drama lessons, developing core skills such as characterisation, devising, and stagecraft. The curriculum is diverse and exciting, featuring text-based units on the process of moving from page to stage with play texts such as Wendy and Peter, A Monster Calls, and DNA in addition to devising-based exploratory work such as: 

  • Verbatim Theatre
  • Stage Combat
  • Physical Theatre
  • Physical Comedy
  • Puppetry
  • Naturalism

Students also participate in workshops with leading theatre companies such as Frantic Assembly, Theatre Re, and Stage Combat experts, ensuring they experience a variety of professional approaches. 

IGCSE Drama 

Students in Years 10 and 11 follow the Cambridge IGCSE Drama specification, blending practical performance with theoretical analysis. Practical coursework (60%) includes monologues, duologues, and group-devised performances, inspired by influential practitioners such as Stanislavski, Brecht, and The Paper Birds. Results consistently exceed national averages, with most students achieving a Grade 7 or above and many attaining a Level 9. 

A-Level Drama and Theatre 

Our A-Level Drama and Theatre course follows the Edexcel specification, inspiring students to engage critically and creatively with theatre. Students explore:

  • Devised performances using Frantic Assembly techniques developed in workshops, supported by written portfolios.
  • Scripted monologues and group performances, directed by our experienced staff.
  • In-depth study of texts, such as Accidental Death of an Anarchist (Dario Fo) and Antigone, with innovative concepts inspired by companies like Punchdrunk.

This course equips students with a deep understanding of theatre-making, preparing them for both further education and professional opportunities. A variety of theatre visits are organised to compliment the course as well as develop skills in analysis and evaluation.  

Facilities 

The Drama Department is housed in the Fiennes Theatre, a purpose-built space with professional-grade lighting and sound, seating up to 118. Larger productions take place in the Hampden Hall, a versatile venue accommodating up to 500 people. Additional rehearsal spaces and a modern film/TV studio further enrich the creative opportunities available to students.

The department is supported by two full-time dedicated theatre technicians with expertise in sound, costume, and lighting design, as well as a part-time theatre manager. We also have a director in residence, who enriches the programme with specialist expertise and additional creative opportunities for students. Our facilities are available for private hire. If interested, please contact laura.bradley@emanuel.org.uk.

Beyond the Classroom
Drama

Clubs and Societies

We offer a range of drama clubs to inspire students’ creativity: 

  • Musical Theatre Club: A non-auditioned club for students to explore their love of the genre and performance. Recent performances include numbers from Hairspray, Tick Tick Boom, Les Mis, and Mamma Mia at our annual Cabaret event.  
  • Drama Club: Each year group in the Lower School has its own club, culminating in exciting showcases. Year 6 students perform their devised Pantomime in the Headmaster’s Christmas Assembly. 
  • Technical Theatre Club: For students interested in lighting, sound, and stage management. Pupils who participate in this club are able to design and operate for the school productions. Emanuel Tech Alumni have previously secured offers at RADA, Rose Bruford, and LAMDA.  
  • Dance Club: There is one dance group for lower school and another for senior pupils. These are held weekly in the dance studio in the Sports Block by an external West-End professional. 
  • Costume and Craft Club: A creative hub for designing and constructing costumes, props, and set for our productions.

Productions

  • Year 6 Play: A full-scale production performed by every Year 6 pupil. These a rehearsed during drama lessons. Recent productions include Grimm Tales, Matilda Jr., Shrek Jr.,and The Aristocats.  
  • Junior Play (Years 7–8): A hugely popular summer performance with a highly competitive audition process. Previous performances include Tuesday, Mam There’s a Spaceship in our Backyard, Wendy and Peter, The Mouse and his Child. 
  • Middle School (Years 9-11) and Senior Plays (Years 10-13): Biennial productions featuring standout works such as The 39 Steps, Oedipus, Antigone, One Man, Two Guvnors and Twelfth Night. 
  • Musical Theatre: One of the key features which sets Emanuel drama apart from other London day school’s is that we produce and perform a large-scale musical each year. We alternate the year groups involved so that we can produce a more eclectic range of productions. This enables members of the senior school who wish to audition for drama schools and conservatoires the ability to add more mature performance work to their repertoire. Previous productions include Beauty and the Beast, School of Rock, We will Rock You, Made in Dagenham, and The Addams Family.  
  • Emanuel Cabaret: Non-auditioned performance platform for pupils taking part in drama, music, and dance co-curricular clubs and societies.  
  • Play in a Week: A celebratory end-of-year project which typically takes the form of either a modernist play or a promenade/ site-specific performance. 
  • Edinburgh Festival Fringe: Every other year, the Emanuel Theatre Company (ETC) performs at the world-renowned Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Past productions, including The Picture of Dorian Grey, Hamlet Hears a Who, Hound of the Baskervilles, and Our Teacher’s a Troll, have achieved sold-out audiences and critical acclaim. 

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