The programme includes a packed schedule of workshops, masterclasses, theatre visits and even opportunities to perform at the county’s largest theatre and arts venue, the Hall for Cornwall.
The school is partnering with a host of theatre and film professionals for masterclasses including acting for stage and screen, special FX makeup, circus skills, playwrighting, filmmaking and site-specific theatre to name but a few. Alongside this, there will be the opportunity for students to go behind the scenes on a horror film shoot and to create their very own movie in just one day.
Many of the school’s young actors are already preparing to perform in a piece at the Hall for Cornwall in February 2022 as part of the programme and the school will host a full-scale production in the venue in March 2023. Upcoming productions also include Sister Act and an outdoor site-specific play performed around the school grounds.
Headmistress, Mrs Sarah Matthews said: “A full and varied Arts curriculum has been and always will be vital to an education at Truro High and, with the cultural wilderness during the pandemic, it has never been so important to develop our students’ creativity. Our commitment to the Arts is the reason why we were so keen to stage productions during the pandemic last year and it is so exciting to be able to offer our students even more unique experiences to grow as performers.”
“Standing on the stage takes the confidence that develops courage so the Arts are incredibly important both to help our girls understand the world around them and help them grow.”
Director of Drama, Ms Hannah Crowe said: “We have a huge amount of talent amongst our student body and this is an incredibly exciting and invaluable opportunity to celebrate and develop those skills. I can’t wait to get started.”
The first of the workshops takes place next week with students set to learn circus skills and physicality with the world-class performers from Swamp Circus.
Coming up…
14 December 2021
Circus and Physicality Workshop with Swamp Circus
Who can take part? Drama scholars, Dance scholars & Year 7 students
Founded in 1986, Swamp has toured big top and large-scale theatre shows to 28 countries and designs shows for a large number of corporate clients in venues such as NEC, New Wembley Stadium and GMEX.
The workshop will take place in a Big Top tent on the school grounds.
January 2022
Workshop with award-winning playwright, Dougie Blaxland
Who can take part? Any student who is interested in writing for the stage
Former Truro High Headmaster James Graham-Brown – who works under the nom de plume, Dougie Blaxland – is a playwright whose work has been staged across the UK at venues including The Everyman Theatre Cheltenham, Nottingham Playhouse, The Belgrade Theatre Coventry, The Minack Theatre Cornwall and The Greenwich Theatre London.
This year, N17 – a radio programme that he wrote for The Windrush Festival – was Shortlisted for Best Arts Project by The National Campaign for the Arts 2021. He has also won the 2019 Best New Play for Getting The Third Degree and Unknown, a play about homelessness commissioned by The Big Issue, was named by The Guardian as one of its favourite plays of 2020.
3 February 2022
KS3 Drama Club performs at the Hall for Cornwall
Who can take part? Students currently in Year 7 – 9
The performance is part of a showcase celebrating the heritage of the Hall for Cornwall, the county’s largest theatre and arts venue. Students are currently in rehearsals for the performance.
8 February 2022
‘Behind the curtain’ – A look inside the wonderful world of theatre with Marcus Lilley
Who can take part? Any student who is interested in working in the theatre
Marcus is a highly experienced theatre professional with a demonstrated history of working in the performing arts industry. His areas of expertise include theatre marketing, event management, presenting, workshop leading and working with young people.
9 February 2022
Visit to the Hall for Cornwall to watch ‘Groan Ups’
Who can take part? A Level Drama students
Following their phenomenal rise to global success with smash-hit comedies The Play That Goes Wrong, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and The Goes Wrong Show on BBC One, multi award-winning Mischief return to the stage with their brand-new comedy all about growing up.
Our Sixth Form Drama students are studying comedy as part of their A Leve course so watching the performance will be an invaluable experience as well as an excellent opportunity to practise their live theatre evaluation skills.
18 February 2022
SFX make up workshop with Michele Bromley
Who can take part? GCSE Media students and Drama scholars
Michele started her career in 1995 as a self-taught SFX and creative makeup artist and worked her way up into many high-profile jobs, including as a long-term member of the makeup team on live TV show ‘Good Morning Britain’, making presenters and guests look fresh at ungodly hours! Her work covers all aspects of makeup including beauty, special effects and fashion with a portfolio that includes TV, music videos, live awards ceremonies and films such as World War Z and Tink’s Kitchen.
Michele’s work can also be seen in various shorts, including the 2014 multi-award-winning Caring for the Recently Deceased, which made a dark and memorable mark on the zombie genre. Michele’s TV credits include Poldark, Wolf Hall and the Laureus World Sports Awards and her creative skills come from working each year on MTV’s European Music Awards live shows, collaborating with other heads of creative makeup artistry.
21 – 25 February 2022
Horror Movie filming
Who can take part? Drama scholars
The chance to observe a film shoot in action. Be on set during the filming of a horror movie and get a ringside seat to see how camera, lighting and sound crews set up and work together. Students will see everything from setting up a shot to how special effects are created.
March 2022
Truro High School presents Sister Act
Who is taking part? Students currently in Year 7 – 13
Rehearsals are well underway for our major production of the Broadway and UK smash-hit musical Sister Act, which involves over 60 students from the Senior School and Sixth Form.
Featuring original music by Tony® and 8-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted), dazzling dance routines and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this joyous, vibrant musical will be a show you will never forget.
March 2022
Screen Acting Workshop at Falmouth University
Who can take part? Drama scholars, GCSE and A Level students
Explore the nuances between screen and stage acting with the team from Falmouth University’s School of Film and Television. There will also be the chance to see the university’s world-class media facilities in action.
28 April 2022
Visit to the Hall for Cornwall to watch Blood Brothers
Who can take part? Year 9 – 11 drama students
Written by Willy Russell, the legendary Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences.
This is a set text for GCSE drama, so it will be an invaluable experience for the students. In the exam, students will be asked about staging, lighting, sound, costume and acting skills. This will also be an excellent opportunity for the students to practise their live theatre evaluation skills.
May 2022
The One Day Film School
Who can take part? Drama scholars and GCSE Media Studies students
Learn everything from film history and combat choreography to screenwriting and camera techniques with the experts from the Young Film Academy.
The course, which takes place virtually, will see our young filmmakers plan, storyboard, shoot, act and edit a short film complete with sound effects and music. The day will be rounded off with a screening of their movie.
Date – Soon to be announced
Site-Specific workshop with Wildworks Theatre
WildWorks is the UK’s leading producer of landscape theatre. The company creates experimental, site-specific theatre and immersive experiences using indoor and outdoor landscapes all around the world.
Students will work with the Wildworks team to prepare for a site-specific production taking place in the school grounds.
June 2022
Outdoor Site-Specific production performed around the school grounds
Who can take part? Students currently in Year 7 – 9
Our school grounds will become your stage with audiences guided through your production. Rehearsals will commence in April 2022.
March 2023
Brand-new Whole School production live on stage at the Hall for Cornwall
Who can take part? All students
The chance for students of all ages to perform on the stage of Cornwall’s largest theatre and arts venue – an invaluable opportunity for girls to develop the confidence and courage that comes from performing on a professional stage.
