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Drama at Trent is a focal point for creativity and self-expression. We have three well-equipped drama areas and employ our own Stage Manager. The School stages up to six productions each year and the most talented actors have the opportunity to perform in front of international audiences at the Edinburgh Festival, where for the past six years we have been invited to take productions.

Drama is taught in Years 7, 8 and 9 and as a choice subject at GCSE level, while Theatre Studies is offered at AS and A level, and these examination groups stage their own productions. However, all students are encouraged to participate in Drama as an activity throughout their time at Trent, and many boys and girls join the stage crews contributing towards set design, make-up and costumes. To see photos of a Year 7 Drama lesson, focusing on makeup, click here

The Lower School performs their annual play in the Summer Term (May 2006 - Ernies Incredible Illucinations - Click here to see a selection of Photographs), while the Main School play is produced in the Lent Term. In the Michaelmas Term, we produce musicals such as the Wizard of Oz (2004) and Joseph (2007). In Autumn 2006, the Drama Department staged “Oklahoma!” - below is an article that appeared in our local newspapers.

THE PLAY’S THE THING FOR TRENT PUPILS

AROUND 60 pupils at Trent College will be treading the boards next week when they stage one of the all time greats of Musical Theatre.

Youngsters from Years 8-13 will be taking part in the Rogers and Hammerstein classic, Oklahoma! – which runs at Trent College, located on Derby Road, Long Eaton, between Wednesday and Saturday, November 15 – 18.

There will also be a special performance for younger children at The Elms, Trent’s infant and junior school, to enjoy.

James Gregory, Theatre Manager at Trent, said: “This year we wanted to do a classic musical and when we announced that we were doing Oklahoma! we were inundated with young people wanting to take part.

“Quite a few of the youngsters involved have never done a play before, let alone a musical. We also think it’s a popular choice with parents, because the show’s completely sold out.”

“The emphasis with extra-curricular drama at the school is all about allowing our pupils to have fun and enjoy themselves.”

First performed on Broadway in 1943, Oklahoma! was the first musical written by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein – the theatrical duo also behind South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music.

Trent College mounts three main productions each year – a musical during the Michaelmas Term, the main school play during the Lent Term, and the main lower school production during the Summer Term.

Recent productions at Trent include musicals The Wizard of Oz and Annie, as well as William Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Ernie’s Incredible Illucinations (COR), by Alan Ayckbourn.

The school also mounts an annual trip to the Edinburgh Festival, where the most gifted pupils are invited to perform.

And for those with a more serious dramatic leaning, T rent College also offers Drama at GCSE and Theatre Studies at AS and A Level. These examination groups stage their own productions throughout the school year and Drama scholarships are available at the school from Year 7 onwards.

Former Trent pupils include the TV and film actor Michael Maloney – who starred in Truly, Madly, Deeply, and Spooks – and RSC actress Gemma Larke.

David Jackson, Head of Drama at Trent, added: “Drama is a focal point for creativity and self-expression at the school. “

“All students are encouraged to participate in Drama as an activity throughout their time at Trent and, apart from acting, many pupils also join the stage crews or contribute towards set design, make-up and costumes.”

Please click here to see some more photographs from the production.

Produced by Trent College