Drama & Dance

Drama is, as it were, in the genes of Dulwich College, which was originally founded by the leading Elizabethan actor, Edward Alleyn. Junior School pupils are given regular opportunities to perform, create and express themselves from Year 3 to Year 6.

Weekly lessons

Pupils take part in weekly Drama and Dance lessons, developing skills in mime, storytelling, voice projection, movement, coordination, balance and musicality. Lessons link closely to the curriculum, with topics from English, History and Wellbeing inspiring role play, improvisation and interpretive work. 

Performance opportunities

Pupils get many opportunities to perform in each year of the Junior School. Drama features strongly in our weekly class assemblies, allowing a platform to perform to peers, teachers and adults. Presenting research, projects, class work and Home Learning is regularly included across academic lessons, and role play activities deepen and enhance learning, particularly in English, History and Wellbeing lessons.

There are annual productions for each year group, which see all pupils performing. In Year 3, the year group perform a play altogether in the Lent Term, which is a brilliant introduction to acting, singing and choreography. Year 4 pupils present our annual Christmas production, with all other year groups singing alongside them. In Year 5, an external teacher works with the pupils to create an outstanding ‘Play in Two Days’. Finally, pupils' drama, dance and singing learning culminates with a musical production during the Summer Term of Year 6, performed in the Edward Alleyn Theatre. In recent years, Year 6 productions have included Oliver!, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King.