The drama department is heavily involved in the extra-curricular life of the college. Pupils at Key Stage 3 and4 have opportunities to participate in a varied programme of workshops,competitions and theatrical visits. In addition the school has established in recent years the tradition of producing a play, pantomime or talent show every two years. This gives pupils the opportunity to showcase their talents indrama, dance and music.

Successful school productions inrecent years have included:

• Sleeping Beauty (2007)
• Cinderella(2009)
• Shakespeare Schools Festival – Macbeth (2008)
• Shakespeare Schools Festival – A Midsummer’s Nights Dream (2010)
• Alice in Wonderland/ PeterPan (2008)
• Super Fit Superheroes/ (2008)
• The Emperor’s New Clothes/Little White Lies (2009)
• The Snow Queen/ The Magic Mirror (2010)
• Mean Teens (2010)
• Sleepy Hollow & Ring a Ring a Rosie’s (2011)
• St Paul’s Has Got Talent (2008 & 2011)

For more information regarding recent productions please click here to view the photo gallery.

In addition Year 11 and 12 Performing Arts students devise and present an original play for their GCSE course in May each year. This performance is staged for the school community and feeder primary schools in advance of the examination and is the undoubted drama highlight of the year.

For Year 8 pupils wishing to take part in extra-curricular activities, we have a range of fun opportunities in the college. The Year 8 Glee Club meets once a week at lunch time in the second term and is a great way for pupils to showcase their singing talents and meet new friends.

Year 10 pupils recently had the opportunity to be involved in a very unusual and innovative theatre project called ‘Operation Blitzed’ led by ‘The Big Telly Theatre Company’ in November.

OPERATION BLITZED

Operation Blitzed is a pilot programme by Big Telly designed to raise awareness about the consequences of alcohol consumption by young people. The pilot programme was commissioned by Coleraine District Policing Partnership and Coleraine Community Safety Partnership to take place within the Coleraine Borough over the course of one day, Friday18th November.

The Situation

Two new pupils(siblings) start in the school having just moved to the area. The older of the two arrives drunk and a public confrontation takes place between them in the assembly hall in front of a large number of pupils. After the actors leave the principal declares it is a piece of theatre. The issues raised during this piece of invisible theatre focus on the destructive consequences of underage drinking.

Issues

The impact of alcohol on peer relationships

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The Story

The selected year groups are assembled in the hall. One actor in school uniform joins the group.Just before the assembly (uniform check) begins (or shortly afterwards), a second actor (Pat), also in school uniform, but clearly dishevelled, enters the hall, calling a name (Jo). The first actor (Jo) initially makes no response,and Pat climbs up onto the stage (or separates him or herself from the main group) in order to get a clearer view. Pat is talking about the great night(s)he had with his/her mates, drinking in the park. Jo should have come too.Pat is clearly drunk, slurring his/her words, not making a lot of sense. Jo listens for a while but eventually, (s)he has had enough. (S)he confronts Pat about the scene that (s)he witnessed last night when (s)he went looking for him/her. (S)he was a mess, staggering about, trying to dance, had been sick on her(him)self. Jo was frightened. The others were laughing. Jo has been covering up for Pat with their parents. (S)he pretended to them that Pat was still in bed this morning when they were leaving for work. She promised to get her/him up and get them to school on time but there was no sign of Pat when (s)he was leaving. The scene ends with both actors leaving the hall.

Year 11 and 12 pupils had the beneficial experience of a professional travelling production/ workshop by Arty- Fact theatre company performing their version of Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” in November. This is a text that is studied by every pupil at GCSE level and the interactive workshop proved invaluable to their GCSE revision.

'Of Mice & Men'

Suitable for GCSE & Drama Studies

Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, John Steinbeck's masterpiece tells the story of two migrant workers who find employment on a California ranch and finally seem to be within reach of having a home to call their own.But "the best laid schemes o' mice and men" begin to unravel, forcing ordinary people to make profound choices.

The Workshop incorporated:

"Guys like us that work on ranches are the loneliest guys in the world. They got no family. They don't belong no place."

Theatre Trips

Theatre trips are a fantastic opportunity for students to see a working professional Theatre, experience new ideas, play wrights and dramatic skills in action.

Previous Theatre trips have included:

·        Cinderella at the Waterfront Hall

·        The Wizard of OZ at The Grand Opera House

Recent Trips

We have recently visited 'The Play house Theatre Derry' for an exciting workshop based on “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” as part of the 2010 Shakespeare School’s Festival. The pupils were given the opportunity to work with real actors, and a director. They thoroughly enjoyed their experience.

Reactions from the students:

'It was so much fun; I hope we can do workshops every year' Niall Mc Kenna Year 12

Upcoming Events

2012 is set to be an exciting year for the Drama Department.

·        In May Year 12 pupils will be doing a performance of “A Clown’s Play” as part oftheir Performing Arts GCSE. We wish them every success and look forward to attending their performance.

Whether your child wishes to grasp every opportunity to perform, or simply to gain confidence and self-esteem, they will find Drama at St Paul’s College a challenging, exciting and rewarding experience.

• An hour and twenty minutes of quality theatre
• Performance & lively discussion
• Costumes, Set,Scenery & Lights
• Bringing live theatre to your school
• Performance notes as a download