St Mary's School Calne

Drama at St Mary's

The Drama Department is renowned for its high level acting performances and the vigour of Theatre and Drama permeate life at St Mary's. The Autumn Production is an important annual school event and usually involves well in excess of 100 girls from across the school. Our Sixth Form students regularly take their own plays to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

The juniors enjoy activities such as a main Summer Production, Dorm Plays, Company Drama competitions and theatre trips ranging from 'The Lion King' to Shakespeare's Globe, while senior plays and performances throughout the school year provide showcases not only for our actresses, but for those girls learning the disciplines of directing, lighting and set design, stage management and production. Regular theatre trips take place to London, Stratford, Oxford, Bath and Bristol.

The School is developing an exciting new association with RADA which involves weekend workshops which lead to a new Foundation Course.

Private tuition for LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) for individuals, pairs and small groups, is an extremely popular extra-curricular activity. Approximately 100 students prepare each year for examinations in Acting and the Speaking of Verse and Prose. 95% of our candidates gain Distinction and Honours in examinations ranging from Grade 5 to Gold Medal.

All lessons, rehearsals, productions and workshops take place in the dedicated space of the Delscey Burns Theatre.