Unit 1 Theatre Studies
Presentation Nights
On Tuesday 10th and Thursday 12th May, the Unit 1 Theatre Studies class held their presentation nights. Each evening began with an exhibition of their completed design work in the L2 ‘Black Box Theatre Gallery’. This was followed by performances of, largely self-directed, scenes from various Shakespeare plays, which took place in the L1 ‘Drama/Dance Studio’. The event is meant to be very relaxed and focussed on the growth that students have made.
The student design work covered all phases of the production process from planning, through development to presentation. The planning included a display of the research that they had undertaken to learn about two theatrical eras in history – Commedia dell’arte and Realism. Their development and presentation stages took the form of two-dimensional costume and set designs for a pre-modern character and play, as well as a display of their costume creation on mannequins and blue board walls, and set design models.
The performance section of the evening began with students performing lines from the prologue of Henry V using only torch light to illuminate themselves. This was followed by scenes from the following performers:
Macbeth
Erica Loten, Madi Jones, Sophie Evans
Macbeth
Harry Williams
Macbeth
Mitchell Mays & Orion Rigano
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Jade Campbell & Bianca Mizzi
Romeo and Juliet
Saraya Pollock & Mikey Foster (James Keam)
Two Gentlemen of Verona
Jade Campbell & Amber Higgins
Macbeth
Nathan Bromfield & Nicholas Schulte
Much Ado About Nothing
Elijah Keam, Brock Foster, Callum Forster, Sam Holness (Absent) (James Keam)
Much Ado About Nothing
Freya Makin, Abi Burke, Lily Newton
Macbeth
Nathan Bromfield & Nicholas Schulte
Macbeth
Erica Loten, Madi Jones, Sophie Evans
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From dramatic lightsabre and sword fights to romantic heartbreak and comical tradies, the year 11 theatre studies presentation nights were so exciting and really enjoyable for all that performed.
We had sell-out shows with audiences who were extremely supportive on both nights and very respectful of the performers.
We focused on scenes written by the legendary immortal William Shakespeare. The class also each created a realistic set design based on the theatre style of Realism and a costume designed for Commedia dell’arte.
As much as we were all nervous, we all had such an amazing time performing and we look forward to doing it again. Also, I would like to give a special thanks to James Keam (ex-student) for coming back and filling in for those who were away. Also, a humongous thank you Ms Birrell for setting everything up behind the scenes, without her we would not have been able to perform and have so much fun.
By Mitchell Mays
Unit 1 Theatre Studies student
Beryl Birrell
Learning Specialist