Drama Workshop is an engaging class exploring many areas of drama within a friendly, creative environment.
Work in the Autumn term focuses on the learning and development of specific skills. Additionally, every student is offered the opportunity to take part in our annual Christmas Concert. This is a delightful showcase of work from the school and is often considered by our audiences to mark the beginning of Christmas festivities. Drama Workshop students contribute a fun-filled selection of work including improvisation, script work and mime. Groups have recently contributed to the Concert play extracts, TV parodies, advertisements, game-show performances and other improvised formats.

In the Winter term students begin work relating to a chosen play or scripted piece which they will study over this period. A student attending Drama Workshop over several years will therefore cover a wide variety of dramatic material and experience numerous roles and styles of literature. An extract or several scenes of the chosen work are selected and students will then rehearse in a group with a Drama Workshop tutor. Each extract is explored and developed for performance at a number of local competitive drama festivals. Each group performs for live audiences and is assessed by festival adjudicators. Outstanding performances may be awarded 3rd, 2nd or 1st places and trophies in the competition. All entries receive a written report which students can use to reflect on their ongoing development of individual skills.

In the Spring / Summer term students work towards a graded group examination with the Trinity Guildhall examination board, for which they will be entered in July. Stage 84 is a registered examination centre, thereby eliminating a requirement to travel to another Centre or for students to work in unfamiliar surroundings. We have achieved a 100% pass rate in these examinations since first entering in 1984. In 2006 we received the highest mark in Great Britain in a Group Drama exam at Grade 6 (96%) and students were awarded a prestigious Exhibition Award by Trinity College London in recognition of their achievement.

Trinity Guildhall is a highly respected board to be examined by. Their certificates are held in high esteem and will enhance any CV. Older students holding Trinity Guildhall certificates applying to further and higher education institutions will find them advantageous, as evidence of extra curricular education and development. Advanced level qualifications (Grades 6-8) are formally recognised within the UCAS Tariff for entry to UK higher education, effective from 2008.

Class Times
Classes run on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings at the Old Fire Station, Idle and are organised as follows:
Wednesday - Drama Workshop 1/2 - Ages 7-14, 5.00pm-6.30pm
Wednesday - Drama Workshop 3 - Ages 14-20+, 6.30pm-8.00pm
Saturday - Drama Workshop 4 - Ages 7-14, 10.00am-11.00am
Saturday - Drama Workshop 5 - Ages 14-20+, 11.00am-12.00noon.

Uniform
Throughout the year students are expected to wear sensible clothing to enable them to move safely, easily and comfortably during workshop activities. Flat shoes and trousers / bottoms are desirable, wearing of jewellery is discouraged. Hair should be tied back so the face can be seen clearly.
For group examinations held in July, all students are required to wear Stage 84 t-shirt, black bottoms, black socks and black footwear. Information here.

Drama Workshop offers young people of every age and ability the opportunity to perform for live audiences, be trained by experienced professionals, learn new skills and build confidence. Disciplines learned in Drama Workshop classes often become life skills a young person may draw upon in later life. Every student is valued as an individual and guided to achieve their own potential. All students have the opportunity to be represented by the School for potential work in professional television, film, radio and theatre productions.

If you are interested in joining a Drama Workshop class at Stage 84, please navigate to our Contact page for contact details.