Rathkeale College - Drama

We offer a full and exciting programme of study in Drama at Rathkeale. The opportunities for boys to succeed and perform are many and varied. Every student experiences a taste of the subject at Year 9 and may choose to take it for a half-year or full-year option in Year 10. During these two years a student can expect to learn about and practise the techniques of stage, radio and film acting. They will be introduced to theatre history and a number of different theatre forms including Greek and Shakespearean Theatre, through to contemporary NZ Theatre. They will also devise their own plays and learn about and use the technologies of theatre, radio and film.
 
Senior students may take Drama as an NCEA subject in Years 11, 12 and 13. Most of the standards are internally assessed and because they are performance-based they do require commitment beyond classroom time. Students also attend at least two professional theatre productions a year, travelling to Wellington or Palmerston North in the evening.
 
Drama students have numerous opportunities to perform within the classroom and in extra-curricular activities. Despite our small size, we produce a major school production every year. This might be a musical, Les Miserables, for example, in 2009, or a major play – Romeo and Juliet in 2008. The school participates in the Regional Otago Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival and we have had many successful award-winning productions, gaining entry into the National Festival held annually in Wellington over Queen's Birthday. We also participate in the local Inter-collegiate Theatresports Festival.