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The Antony Barnard Theatre (ABT) is a central asset of the Drama Department and a flagship performing arts venue at ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ. Seating up to 230, it provides an immersive and professional-standard environment forÌýstudents,ÌýperformersÌýand audiences.Ìý

The theatre is equipped with industry-standard sound and lighting, a sprung floor and flexible performance and rehearsal spaces, alongside dedicated teaching areas, a green room and extensive workshop and storage facilities. These resources enable students to experience theatre-making at a professional level, from rehearsals and lessonsÌýto performance.Ìý

The Antony Barnard Theatre reflects ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ’s commitment to excellence in the arts, offering students an inspiring space in which creativity, collaboration and performance can thrive.Ìý

ElthamÌýDrama’sÌýScholarship Programme nurtures the next generation of performers and theatre-makers. Open to students entering Year 7Ìýor Year 12, the programme offers a range of bespoke opportunities, including:Ìý

• Specialist workshopsÌýwith industry professionals, including directors, choreographers,ÌýdesignersÌýand theatre-makersÌý

• Individual and small-group mentoringÌýwith senior Drama staff, supporting artistic development, auditions and future pathwaysÌý

• Priority casting and creative rolesÌýin co-curricular productions, including a dedicated Scholar productionÌý

• Exclusive theatre trips and enrichment experiences, such as scholar-only outings, residentials and workshops with leading theatre companiesÌý

• Opportunities to perform beyond school, including festivals and external venuesÌý

• Scholar-led creative projects, including contributions to an annual Drama Journal celebrating achievement and practiceÌý

Drama Scholars thrive in a collaborative and inspiring environment, gaining first-hand experience across the full spectrum of theatre-making.Ìý

For more information on how to apply for a Drama Scholarship, please clickÌýhere.

Eltham’s Co-Curricular Drama Programme enriches academic study, offering students exceptional opportunities for performance, creativity and collaboration. With the continued appointment of a Director in Residence on-site, students also have the opportunity to work with an industry professional in co-curricular rehearsals, after-school Drama clubs and creative support during practical lessons; even the chance to develop and explore new writing in connection with current playwrights [see The Tinderbox and Other Tales by Toby Hulse, Summer 2026].

Stay up to date with Co-Curricular Drama—.

Drama is an asset to the curriculumÌýat ÌÇÐÄÊÓƵ, with opportunities for all students to explore theatre-making from YearÌý7Ìýthrough to Sixth Form, developingÌýreflective and presentation skills, confidence,ÌýteamworkÌýandÌýcreativity.Ìý

Lower School (YearsÌý7–9)Ìý

All students in YearsÌý7–8Ìýreceive dedicated Drama lessons, building strong foundations in performance, devising and stagecraft.ÌýDrama can then be taken asÌýan OptionÌýin Year 9.ÌýLessons focus on key theatrical skills including characterisation, vocal and physical expression and collaborative rehearsal processes.Ìý

The curriculum balances text-based study with practical exploration, introducing students to the process of moving from page to stage through plays such asÌýThe Wardrobe, A Midsummer Night’s DreamÌýandÌýOthello.Ìýalongside devised and skills-based units including:Ìý

• Physical TheatreÌý

• Intro to vocal and physical skillsÌý

• PoliticalÌýTheatreÌý

• PuppetryÌý

• Greek TheatreÌý

• NaturalismÌý

• Live Theatre EvaluationÌý

Students alsoÌýparticipateÌýin workshops led by professional theatre practitioners and companies,Ìýsuch as Frantic Assembly, ensuring exposure to a range of contemporary performance styles and working practices.Ìý

At GCSE, students follow the AQA Drama specification, which combines practical performance with the study of drama and theatre in context. Assessment is structured across three components:Ìý

• Devising Drama (40%) – students create and perform original work inspired by a practitioner or genre, supported by a written portfolioÌý

• Performing from a Text (20%) – students perform scripted extracts in groups or pairsÌý

• Understanding Drama (40%) – a written examination exploringÌýthe set textÌýThe CrucibleÌýby Arthur MillerÌýand live theatre evaluationÌýof a recent production.Ìý

Students engage with influential practitioners,Ìýdeveloping their ability to analyse, evaluateÌýand apply theatrical ideas in performance.ÌýÌý

Our AÌýLevel Drama and Theatre course follows the AQA specification, encouraging students to work as informed, independent theatre-makers. The course includes:Ìý

• Devised Performance (40%) – students create an original performance influenced by a chosen practitioner or company,Ìýsuch asÌýDV8, ArtaudÌýor Emma Rice,Ìýsupported by a reflective working notebookÌý

• Text in Performance (20%) – students perform scripted extracts to a visiting examinerÌý

• Drama and Theatre (40%) – a writtenÌýexamination exploring two set texts,ÌýHedda GablerÌýby IbsenÌýandÌýOur Country’s GoodÌýby Timberlake WertenbakerÌýand the evaluation of a live theatre performanceÌý

Historically, we have had students participate in the Shakespeare Schools Festival, the Camden Fringe and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in productions ranging fromÌýThe TempestÌýtoÌýMerrily We Roll Along.Ìý

We strongly support our local communityÌýandÌýjunior schools, who are invited to attendÌýa matinee performance of each of our main house productions every year.

We run a thriving LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) programme which enables students to pursue internationally recognised examinations. StudentsÌýare able toÌýstudy subjects including Acting (group, duo and solo), Speaking in Public and Speaking Verse and Prose.  LAMDA examinations are an excellent way for students to gain confidence and develop communication skills. In 2025,Ìý182 students from Year 7–13 took LAMDA examinations with 82%ÌýachievingÌýa Distinction.Ìý

We haveÌýtwoÌýtech clubs running every week, one for the Lower School and one forÌýYear 9–13. These consist of workshops with our in-house Theatre Manager and Theatre Technician, teaching lighting and sound designÌýskills,ÌýstageÌýmanagementÌýandÌýset-building/dressing.ÌýPupils can signÌýup to be on the tech-teamÌýorÌýcrew for our main-house productions, in which they areÌýcoached by the technicians to fullyÌýoperateÌýthe lighting and sound on the shows andÌýare prepared toÌýmanage props,Ìýbackstage-crewÌýandÌýfacilitateÌýtransitions behind the scenes. This is an excellent offering whichÌýalso nurtures theÌýpracticalÌýskills honed by students who opt for the technicalÌýandÌýdesign pathways at GCSE and A Level.