Performing Arts
Introduction
At William Morris Sixth Form, subjects within the Performing Arts Curriculum Area are taught by specialist teachers in Dance and Drama.
In BTEC and GCSE Performing Arts courses students create and perform a variety of work from scripted plays to site specific dance pieces at a variety of venues in the borough including Fulham Palace, the BBC Media Centre and the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith. Students are introduced to diverse practices and are encouraged to incorporate new as well as established techniques into their own work. Most course units culminate in some form of presentation or performance and this assists the students in learning about the processes of devising performance work and meeting deadlines. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own work so that they feel they have ownership of a project and the ethos of the department is to promote a conscientious attitude, with respect for the subject being studied and a desire for all students to achieve their full potential.
The A Level Drama pathway allows students to fully explore the history, theory and practice of theatre through practical workshops, written coursework and the performance of monologues and/or duologues and a full length play. Examined performances are for a public audience and allow students to fully explore and demonstrate the drama techniques they have learnt through lessons in performance.
The A Level Performing Arts (Dance or Technical Theatre) course allows dance students to develop their technique further through an exploration of ballet, contemporary and street dance. The focus of the course is creative and students work together as a company to choreograph dances for public performance at WMSF, the Royal Ballet School and the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith. Students may also develop their knowledge of lighting, sound, theatre design and theatre administration through this course.
The Performing Arts facilities comprise two purpose-built studios. Studio 1 is equipped with a 60amp lighting rig, portable staging and a sprung floor. Studio 2 has changing rooms, a sprung wooden floor and is equipped with full length mirrors.