Dramatic Arts

THE DRAMATIC ARTS: DRAMA & THEATRE STUDIES

Why study the Dramatic Arts?

In the 21st Century, the deployment of people in preference for computers has seen the rise of the Creative Class. Training in the Dramatic Arts is a unique preparation of students for today’s challenges and demands, mentally and physically. It is a perfect addition to Science and Humanities in holistic education, imparting critical life skills and the ability to develop and display leadership qualities and confidence.

Future Employment:

Qualifications in the Dramatic Arts have been accepted into the workforce in Team Leadership positions, the Police Force, Company Development and Design  (media, film, event design) and the lucrative entertainment business (producers, managers, directors, actresses, stage managers, technicians, costume designers, choreographers). 

The ability to bring a Concept to a Conclusion within a deadline through measured practical involvement, individually and in a team,  is the fundamental requirement of all professions and is the basis of all  Dramatic Arts programmes. Preparation, planning, teamwork, presentation, meeting challenges and evaluation are all skills honed within the projects of Dramatic Arts. Drama workshops are a part of company team-building programmes today due to their importance. 

Personal Skills: 

Participation in the Dramatic Arts creates cognitive assonance between thought, speech and action demanding expert communication, debating, questioning, researching, devising and presentation skills. Performance is a small part of the process, but a vital culmination of creativity and planning.  

Projects involve social, cultural and historical understanding, the focus on thinking ‘out of the box’, the development of personal empowerment and the training to empower others. It is a very important development programme, practically incorporating and enhancing understanding of science, history, mathematics, budgeting and economics, design and languages.

Locations:

All training will be conducted in the KES Drama Suite purposely built 

• Black box/lecture theatre with projection screen, mirrored wall, lighting rig, camera, sound system and changing room  
• A drama studio with a green screen, lighting rig, mirrors and sound system 
• The KES multipurpose stage with access to LED screens and full lighting rig and a sound system
• Access to digital virtual theatre links with international theatres
• External off-campus locations for workshops with professional directors

Qualification: 

Key Stage 4 IGCSE Drama 

(which progresses to Key Stage 5 Drama and Theatre Studies AS and A2)

On completion of KS3 in year 9 students will have acquired the basic skills and terminology required for IGCSE. The development will create in-depth projects to display a multimedia message to audience members and examiners using dramatic elements and proxemics. 

IGCSE  Drama: Cambridge Syllabus 0411

Component 1: a written examination consisting of 3 sections (2.5 hours)

• The evaluation and description of practical application within two scripted plays 
• The evaluation and description of practical application  

Component 2:  three practical filmed presentations 

• An individual performance, a staged scripted monolgue from a play performed to an audience  (3 – 5 minutes)
• A staged group performance of a play extract to an audience (20 minutes) A group devised performance performed to an audience  (20 minutes) 

Component 1: 40% Written Examination – 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Component 2: 60%  Practical Examinations.

A prerequisite of this course is that the student takes IGCSE First Language English, due to the structure of the 40% written examination.

KES Drama and Theatre Arts alumni include:

1. Shadi Alfons: a celebrated  film/TV actor, scriptwriter, award ceremony commentator and was a major contributor to the creation of Saturday Night Live (Arabia). He is part of the celebrity duo ‘Shadi and Khalid’, Shadi has kindly agreed to be patron of theatre students of KES.
2. Nadia Ahmed: Nadia Ahmed: a TV celebrity, documentary & filmaker and founder and director of LAPA International

KES was founded in 1978 by Mr. Mohamed Jassim Al Saddah and Mrs. Rhoda Elizabeth Muhmood.