Drama & Film

At the International School of London, Drama is a space where creativity, collaboration, and self-expression flourish. Our programme goes beyond performance: it is about discovering confidence, developing empathy and exploring stories that expand imagination and emotional intelligence. Students collaborate in ensembles, devise original works and bring characters to life on stage and screen, while building both acting and technical skills.

As students move through the Middle Years Programme, they experience a broad journey through theatrical traditions and performance styles. They explore Shakespeare, Greek Theatre and the foundations of character work, developing discipline, collaboration and stage confidence. This grows into deeper work with scene study, physical theatre and movement-based storytelling, including silent film projects that expand their creativity from stage to screen.

By Grades 9 and 10, Drama expands into Film Studies and Stage Play. Students learn about film language, directing and editing alongside the experience of staging a stage production, where they can perform or contribute through design and technical theatre. These opportunities give students the tools to find their creative voice and collaborate across disciplines.

Drama at ISL is a journey of artistry, self-discovery and community. From monologues to musicals, from stage to screen, our students gain the confidence to communicate authentically, think creatively and connect meaningfully with others.

In Grade 6, students dive into cultural and artistic traditions by studying Shakespeare and Greek Theatre. In the first unit, they explore Shakespeare’s life, language and works, considering both their historical context and their relevance today.

Through collaborative research and presentations, they learn and educate one another in a holistic way. They each choose a Shakespeare monologue to perform, beginning the journey of character analysis and stage practice. The unit culminates in a monologue showcase.

In the second unit, students get immersed in another tradition of performance - the Greek Theatre. The study and performance of Greek mythology and theatrical conventions allows students to appreciate the importance of discipline and listening in ensemble and chorus work, reinforcing the value of collaboration in drama.

Through both historical and contemporary lenses, students deepen their understanding of cultural contexts, performance conventions, and collaborative processes, while building essential skills in research, analysis, ensemble work and live performance.

In Grade 7, students engage with the fundamentals of stage acting through the techniques of Konstantin Stanislavski. Focusing on character research, motives, subtext and the dynamics between scene partners they develop analytical, collaboration and acting skills, and how to pursue their characters’ objectives with authenticity. Rehearsing their chosen duologue scenes from classic or contemporary plays with direction and feedback, they develop an understanding of blocking, character embodiment and spatial awareness. The staged scenes are showcased at the end of the unit.

In the second unit, students look at character development from another viewpoint by creating their own characters and writing original monologues. They strengthen their creative and analytical skills, and engage in reflective, student-led theatre-making that fosters global and personal exploration.

In Grade 8, students delve into movement-based storytelling by exploring physical theatre conventions and techniques developed by companies such as Frantic Assembly, Off Balance, DV8 and Complicité. By analysing how physicality conveys meaning beyond words, students learn partnering techniques, including lifts, and applying their understanding of character development, status and objectives through physical expression, while developing their skills in non-verbal communication, ensemble work and creative storytelling.

Working collaboratively, students devise and perform their own short physical theatre pieces, using The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time as a springboard.

Building on these skills, students transfer their learning from stage to screen in a silent film unit, where they will write, storyboard, film and edit their own productions. The Drama Department has partnered up with The Musical Museum in Brentford, allowing students to access silent film screenings with the original cinema organ, the Wurlitzer, and providing them with opportunities to showcase their own films on the big screen.

In Grade 9 and 10, students can choose Performing Arts as an elective subject. As the only IB school in London to offer Film Studies at MYP level, we teach students how to analyse film, write, shoot, edit and act in front of the camera. This provides a direct pathway onto IB Diploma in Film Studies in Grades 11 and 12.

In Grade 9, the first unit focuses on understanding film language and visual storytelling; shot types, camera movements and scriptwriting. In Grade 10, the emphasis is on genre and auteur theory, inviting students to question whether a director’s artistic view can challenge genre conventions.

As well as written film analysis, students in both G9 and 10 produce a short scene that will be screened at the end of the unit.

The second drama unit is a G9 and 10 play; a full stage production, for which students can choose to perform as actors or focus on developing their skills in sound and lighting, set design, props or costume design.

In the third unit, students get the chance to bring theatre and film together, shaping their own creative and directorial voice. Inspired by a character or story element in the play, they produce their own short films, experimenting with storytelling on screen.

Running alongside their Film Music unit, this project allows drama and music to come together, giving students a rich, collaborative experience across the performing arts.