As part of our wellbeing programme, Mount Sackville recognises the importance of offering drama to all Junior Cycle students. Drama, taught in an open and relaxed manner allows our students to express themselves in the safe environment of our lecture theatre. Students are encouraged to be away from sitting behind desks, to kick off their shoes during these lessons and to move freely around the room.
The benefits of drama in school are broad. We have noted the physical and physiological benefits involved with movement, but more importantly, the psychological, social and emotional benefits associated with drama. Group discussion, forum theatre, pair work, freedom to express oneself without judgement and role-play in character are just some of the ways that wellbeing drama helps students to better understand themselves and be understood by others. Wellbeing drama becomes a subject within which one can express oneself freely, safely, healthily and without judgement.
Drama has been an intrinsic part of the Mount Sackville education for many years and our wellbeing programme provides for one hour-long lesson of drama per week with an emphasis on expression, collaboration and enjoyment. Students are introduced to a wide range of dramatic skills, involving improvisation, melodrama, role-play, movement, vocal techniques and process drama. Students are not formally assessed but keep a drama journal and have an opportunity to partake in school productions. In past years we have produced very successful productions such as Macbeth… Reimagined (2023), The Importance of Being Earnest, (2019) Queen Lear (2019) and DNA (2018) in recent years while the school musical during Transition Year is eagerly anticipated every year and most recently we have staged Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls and All Shook Up.