We are very proud at Radlett Prep of the standard of our drama productions. The children are encouraged to develop their confidence and performance skills in front of an audience on several occasions during their school career.
The first introduction to performing in front of an audience of parents is in Reception at Christmas time when each class learns a poem and a song with actions. This is performed in our school hall on the stage with costumes and scenery.
This is then developed in Year 1 when the children take part in a short Christmas play. There are lines to learn, songs to sing and dances to perform in costume to parents, using stage lighting with props and scenery.
In Year 3 the children perform a play for parents to watch in the Spring Term. The choice of play is always linked to some aspect of the curriculum and the Class teachers work with the Drama and Music teachers to produce the play. Everyone has lines to say and every class participates in the songs, dances and action.
Finally, in Year 6 the children have the opportunity to perform a full-length, staged musical production at the Radlett Centre Theatre where they learn many of the skills involved in staging a play. They perform on a full-sized theatre stage aided by technical professionals who manage the lighting, sound equipment and special effects. Everyone is encouraged to take part whether it is on stage or backstage, managing the props and scenery. Auditions are held for the various parts but a great emphasis is placed on the need for a ‘team effort’ and everyone is important in making the production successful. Many, happy, lasting memories result from the Year 6 productions which prepare the children in many ways for future experiences in their next school.
Apart from the productions the children have many other opportunities to perform in front of an audience such as delivering a report on a sporting event or participating in a class assembly in front of the whole school. Classes often prepare small playlets in Drama based on historical themes such as the Tudors or Greeks. These are then performed to each of the classes in their Year group. All of these occasions help to develop a confident child in preparation for future interviews or situations when they have to speak independently.