Drama
Drama is central to the cultural life at Reed’s, with pupils in all year groups given the chance to perform, be involved as a stage technician or as a member of the audience.
Productions
Reed's has a reputation for putting on outstanding productions in a variety of styles. There are an impressive number staged each year, ensuring that all pupils have the opportunity to be involved in the Drama department.
The Main School Production involves pupils from all year groups, with a complete transformation of the performance space to best suit the needs of the play; innovative stage design is at the heart of what we do. Our adventurous approaches have included rain, fire, falling walls, revolves and even building an indoor circus tent!
Recent productions have included 'Chariots of Fire' by Mike Bartlett, a version of Gogol's 'The Government Inspector', 'The Tempest' by William Shakespeare, 'There Is A War' by Tom Basden among many others.
There are also a number of smaller scale productions throughout the year which are age group specific, giving pupils from all year groups the chance to take on a lead role.
The drama department also regularly participates in the Leatherhead, Woking and National Theatre Connections Festivals. We have had much success in recent years, winning a number of awards for our festival performances. GCSE and A Level Drama Showcases take place throughout the year.
Pupils have the opportunity to perform in professional theatres like the Rose Theatre Kingston, Greenwich Theatre and the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking.
Facilities & Opportunities
The school employs a full-time technical manager who oversees the department’s technical needs. This is another invaluable resource for pupils and the Stage Tech Club is a very popular activity. Pupils are given the opportunity to be involved in every aspect of a production: sound, lighting, stage management and front of house.
Pupils can also participate in LAMDA lessons and are offered a variety of strands, depending on the pupil’s skill level and interest. These currently include group acting, group devising, verse & prose and public speaking.
The department also runs a playwriting group as part of the National Theatre New Views programme. Working with a professional writer, all students produce a play to be entered in a national competition. In 2014 Sixth Former, Katherine Thomas, was a finalist in this programme and was privileged to have a professional reading of her play on stage at the National Theatre.
Each year over twenty theatre trips take place to venues such as the National Theatre, Royal Court, Almeida, Bush and the West End. Lengthier trips to venues such as the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, the Edinburgh Fringe and New York City are also offered.
A number of pupils have used their experience to successfully apply for the National Youth Theatre and top drama schools such as Arts Ed and LAMDA.
VIEW OUR ARTS CALENDAR FOR 2023 -2024
Drama Scholarships
Reed’s offers Drama Scholarships to talented and enthusiastic actors who demonstrate outstanding potential. Further details can be found on our Scholarships page.
