IB Theatre, available at both Standard and Higher Levels, is tremendously exciting and provides a real freedom to explore all aspects of theatre-making dynamically and practically. As well as being introduced to a variety of ways of creating theatre, we explore the methodology and practices that lie behind theatre of different traditions and cultures, and see, and talk about, a lot of shows. The ability to communicate effectively is intrinsic to both theatrical performance and everyday life and is a valuable asset for any career path. Students who study drama are strong leaders with excellent interpersonal skills. They are versatile, creative, open-minded and collaborative, all of which open a diverse range of career opportunities for them. Within the world of drama itself, performing, directing and designing are just three career paths that are widely discussed, but there are also opportunities for careers in drama therapy, film, stage management and education to name a few. The course combines the practicality of theatre-making with the theory and ideology that underpins its success. Thus research into the theory and history of theatre practice including practitioners, such as Artaud, Boal and Grotowski, and international theatre forms, such as Kathakali or Topeng Dance, is further developed through physical and practical work. Students participate in research, workshops, rehearsal and performance; fulfilling the roles of dramaturge, director, designer, performer and audience. IB Literature and Performance (which is available at Standard Level) is also offered at KES. This is an interdisciplinary subject which combines studying the ways that literature works when performed on stage, and the different ways that texts can be transformed by the performance process. It provides an opportunity for careful and enthusiastic engagement with the detail of how writers express their ideas, helping to transform our understanding of ourselves and others, and with this understanding being enhanced further through performance. The Drama department produces two school productions in Ruddock Hall each year. The Junior Production takes place in November and is open to students in Years 8-10, followed by the Senior Production which takes place in January for Years 11-13. The shows offer students a chance to develop their skills in the technical aspects of theatre too, with students assisting with design and stage management. Some of our most recent performances include Burn (2021), Pride and Prejudice (2022), Goodnight Mister Tom (2022) and Little Shop of Horrors (2023). Each year group also has their own Drama Club which rehearses during one lunchtime every week. The Drama Clubs enable students to work with like-minded individuals, gain experience performing in front of an audience and improve performance skills to assist in future projects. Drama Clubs are open to everyone and the work produced within the sessions is celebrated through a drama showcase for each club at the end of the year. House Drama competitions are an event in which students from each of the eight Houses stage a short extract from a play of their choosing. Students have a real sense of agency with this competition, sourcing their props, costumes and sets to enhance their performance. The Drama department organises a range of trips to theatres throughout the year to strengthen students’ understanding of and appreciation for live performance, enriching their theatrical experience as they progress through the school. We often organise workshops with external theatre companies and value the contributions that they make to pupils’ learning and creativity within the field.