Dramatic Ambition

“Fittingly for a school founded by Edward Alleyn, the leading actor of his generation, Drama is flourishing at Dulwich and I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to get involved. I feel privileged to be part of this exciting new wave of talent.” George John (OA 08-13) – Theatre Studies at Manchester

With a pedigree of OAs forging careers within the creative industries including Peter Bazalgette (former chair of the Arts Council England) and Chiwetel Ejiofor, one of world’s most renowned actors, it is no surprise that boys crave the opportuntity to extend and explore their love of drama and theatre beyond school.

Boys are encouraged to be ambitious, extend their horizons and take advantage of the wider connections the department enjoys, notably with Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, the Rose Playhouse, with Young Pleasance at the Edinburgh Festival and on the London Fringe. We regularly steer our most gifted and talented boys to involvement with local youth theatre companies, as well as toward selection for the National Youth Theatre.

Recognising the diversity of career opportunities available within the creative industries, students interested in drama, film and technical theatre attended two talks by Katrina Gilroy, producer at the National Theatre, and David Parfitt, the Academy Award winning producer, as part of the Dulwich Creative Careers Conference.