King's Drama - the Malthouse Theatre
We provide access to local schools to professional performances at the Malthouse Theatre throughout the year, within the performance schedule.
These range from primary school pupils attending the annual pantomime for a special performance to the school day, to special open-book dress-rehearsals where GCSE and A level pupils can experience theatre direction and performances as works-in-progress.
These are exceptional offers to the community and participation is increasing as we develop our programme of events.
The public are also able to attend evening performances and seats are offered to local schools for certain evening events.
In Lent Term 2024 we are hosting four separate Drama Days at the Malthouse, open to schools in the EKST Partnership. These whole-day events are led by professional actors and focus on developing Drama skills at KS3, 4 and Post 16, using the Theatre itself.
Feedback from Lent Term 2024:
"A very well organised event in outstanding facilities. Students have not had the opportunity to work with masks before and this was a wonderful introduction for them. Students have had a brilliant time and it was lovely to see pupils working together building confidence in a professional environment. The lead of the workshop was brilliant, great energy and is highly knowledgeable!"
Aims
To provide professional-standard experiences of Drama education at our industry-level Malthouse Theatre. Events are fully supported in terms of lighting technicians, sound and stage access.
Background
Event came about through our partnership links with local schools and also then through the EKST partnership.
Resources
Students from local schools attend the Malthouse Theatre for drama workshops, with lunch provided on site. No cost.
Free tickets are provided to local schools for certain performances: for example, in March 2023 we invited nursery pupils from Pilgrim's Way to attend the Twirlywoos Performance at the Malthouse. We provided transport to and from the venue and there were no charges made.
Impact
Feedback from Pilgrims' Way re Twirlywoos:
"Thank you so much for enabling our nursery children to attend the Twirlywoos show at the Malthouse. They had such a wonderful time and it was a first for many of them. A real memory maker!
The staff want to share their thanks and let you know how much they, and the children, enjoyed it. Providing the transport, as well as the tickets, made it possible for us to take them and we can't thank you enough. Thank you so much!"
Feedback from local schools re drama days:
"The event yesterday went really well, (King's teacher) was fantastic. Already looking forward to the next one!" Student comments: "working with others I don't know was great; The workshop has really helped breakdown and give a deep dive in how to make a production even with little time"
Pupil Involvement
GCSE and A level, and also primary age.
Frequency
Every term for performances, whenever opportunities arise depending on the suitability of the performances.
Two whole-day workshops 2023 for use of the Malthouse Theatre (which is a commercial venue in constant use).
Four whole-day workshops 2024.
Use of Malthouse Theatre for local state school annual production, no charge.