At Emanuel School students are encouraged to use drama as a means to investigate, shape and represent symbolically ideas, feelings, attitudes and beliefs.
The drama experience at Emanuel aims to enhance the physical, emotional, social, creative and expressive talents and capacities within students, while developing their self-esteem and self-confidence.
Pre-School
Dramatic experiences at Emanuel begin at Pre-school. Children are constantly encouraged to engage in imaginative play, which is an essential ingredient in social and communication skill development. Opportunities for role plays and story dramatisations, as well as acting out songs and poetry, are all part of the dramatic experience at Kornmehl.
Primary School
In Primary School we provide students with multiple opportunities to share and celebrate their learning.
These include:
- Public Speaking Competition
- A variety of small group and large-scale music concerts throughout the year
- ‘Pathways events’ which celebrate milestones in Jewish learning
- Showcase events at the end of significant class programs or projects in K-6
- Sporting events and a range of competitive pathways for talented sports people
- Celebrations of Jewish festivals during which students are immersed in the cultural practices
- A K-6 musical every second year, involving all the students, but also a main cast
- Grandparents Day showcase and shared experiences
- Assembly performances
This journey continues in the Primary School under the guidance of a specialist drama teacher. Drama is an integral part of the curriculum from Years 1-6. Students engage in a variety of dramatic activities aimed at enhancing their ability to use movement, characterisation, storytelling and vocal expression effectively to communicate ideas to an audience. There is a bi-annual Primary School production that showcases the talent and skills of all students in Years K-6. Our latest production was Aladdin in 2022.
High School
High School students may opt to study Drama as an elective in Years 9-12, making, performing and critically studying various dramatic forms and styles. Drama students develop skills in improvisation, play-building, and scripted as well as self-devised dramatic works. Our Drama students present their individual and group performances throughout the year at a variety of evening showcases. Students also attend excursions to view theatrical productions and participate in workshops run by industry professionals to enhance their understanding.
Each year, High School students audition for roles in the High School production. These productions range in style from modern plays to Shakespeare as well as musicals, including Legally Blonde in 2017, Romeo & Juliet in 2019, Fiddler on the Roof in 2020 and The Lord of the Flies in 2022. The High School production is always a highlight of the school calendar and a showcase of our talented performing artists.