Performing Arts
Drama
In Drama, there are a host of opportunities, on stage, in set design, tech teams, writing and stage crew and you will have the chance to pursue them to the highest standards.
Productions
The extraordinarily high production values in our productions have to be experienced to be believed. Every year the Performing Arts department outdoes itself, bringing together budding actors, tech team, set designers and stage crew from across the school. The performances are superb, and the friendships built across the cast and crew only deepen the sense of Monkton community. The Performing Arts team is always looking to push the boundaries, whether with our original audio play, "Alice in Blunderland", creating an utterly sensational version of Into the Woods, or a hugely creative, entertaining and moving version of Much Ado About Nothing.
Nurturing Talent
There are regular opportunities to perform for every pupil, in smaller, informal settings, either to hone a particular piece or as a first step onto the stage, through our LAMDA Live! Programme.
We foster the development of the technical aspects of stage craft, whether set construction, lighting, sound, or costume design, giving our pupils high quality experience and development.
Monkton Audio Drama gathers our budding writers, to work on, hone and grow their craft.
MUSIC
Our approach to music is defined by engagement, innovation and excellence. Our range of musical ensembles creates an opportunity for everyone to be involved and stretched. Pupils who sing or learn an instrument at any level will be in an ensemble to experience the joy of making music with others. What is extraordinary is the standard our ensembles reach. Our dedicated and inspiring teachers draw the best from each pupil, through their creativity and focus on the individual musician.
We develop our aspiring musicians through our invitation-only ensembles, such as Chamber Choir and Jazz@Monkton, helping them reach the highest performance standards.
Individual music lessons are led by a team of outstanding instrument specialists, taking pupils from beginner level to Grade 8 and beyond.
Our creative team are always looking for new avenues, whether the drums, whistles and fun of Samba Band or encouraging our Music Technology Beatmakers to play with the boundaries of music and tech - to startling effect. We develop the passions and skills of our musicians and share the joy of music with everyone.
Our host of performance opportunities range from informal lunchtime concerts in Studio 1@1, Band Night, Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral and performances at Disneyland Paris, interactive concerts featuring live gaming to the amazing annual Longmead Music Festival on a Glastonbury-style stage.
The co-curricular intertwines with the academic, leading to outstanding development, and we regularly send pupils to study at leading Conservatoires around the UK.
MEDIA
The faculty’s flourishing media opportunities offer weekly sessions in our superb studios and teach audio recording for podcasts. We live-stream every Performing Arts event, often in multi-camera format, giving our pupils the chance to work the cameras and direct shows, overseen by our expert team.
DANCE
Dance is a rapidly expanding area at Monkton. The development of our dance troupe at the Prep now extends into the Senior, with an increasing number of pupils becoming part of this superb team, who were national finalists in the Great Big Dance off and now want to push even higher, enabling us to launch Dance GCSE.
