St Clare's College

St Clare’s College in Canberra offers a vibrant performing arts program with a strong emphasis on drama and theatre, designed to foster creativity, confidence, and collaboration among students. Drama is offered both as part of the core curriculum in the junior years and as an elective subject in the senior years, where students can pursue it as part of their Year 11 and 12 studies.

In the early years, students explore basic acting skills, improvisation, role play, and storytelling. As they progress through the school, they engage with more advanced concepts such as character development, script work, theatrical styles, and stagecraft. The program encourages students to critically reflect on performances and understand the cultural and historical context of theatre.

Senior students studying Drama undertake in-depth studies in performance, production, and dramatic theory. They are assessed through practical performance pieces, group work, reflective writing, and participation in public showcases. These experiences allow students to develop strong communication and presentation skills, whether they pursue theatre professionally or apply these skills in other fields.

St Clare’s College hosts regular theatrical productions, including musicals and plays that involve students across all year levels. These productions are well-supported by the school community and provide students with opportunities in acting, directing, stage management, set and costume design, and technical production. Past shows have included both contemporary and classic works, giving students a well-rounded performance experience.

The program is complemented by excursions to live theatre performances and workshops with industry professionals, broadening students’ exposure to the performing arts beyond the classroom. Overall, the theatre program at St Clare’s College encourages personal growth, artistic expression, and a lifelong appreciation for the dramatic arts.