Drama Department

The Drama Department offers a warmly welcoming atmosphere, where students can develop their artistic, communication and organisational skills. Opportunities in lighting, sound, make-up, costume and acting, ensure there are plenty of opportunities for each girl to find her role and her strengths. Drama education is the acquisition of transferable skills and techniques necessary for performing to an audience. It promotes the emotional development of our girls, boosting their confidence. It is also a means of exploring the world in which we live in a safe environment.

In Years 7 to 9, pupils study one period of Drama per week, covering a variety of themes ranging from basic skills, Greek Theatre, Melodrama, Shakespeare, Devised Drama and script exploration. Their learning builds towards the GCSE Drama course which engages and encourages the girls to reach their full potential as performers and theatre-makers. They learn to collaborate with others, think analytically and evaluate effectively. This leads onto A Level Drama and Theatre. Students regularly attend professional theatre productions and are encouraged to attend organised workshops. Higher education institutions value the skills that these courses offer, and students who have studied with us have gone on to study Drama at both high-ranking universities and esteemed Drama Schools. Drama also lends itself to other undergraduate degrees: we have seen girls study a diverse range of subjects, from Anthropology to Business.

Co-curricular Drama plays a big part in the life of Mayfield girls and we offer a range of activities and opportunities for all ages and abilities. Our whole whole musical is performed annually at Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells, giving girls from years 7-13 to collaborate on a large-scale spectacular. Girls can opt into performing (acting/singing/dancing), playing in the orchestra or supporting the production technically (set/ stage management/ lighting/ sound/ costume/ props/ hair/ make-up). Mayfield Theatre Company is open to Years 7 to 10 and runs from February-June, culminating in a Summer production which is performed in our Concert Hall. Our annual Inter-House Drama event gives an air of competition to the art. From a set theme, each house is expected to create, direct and perform a piece of drama, which is judged by an external judicator. Individual and shared Speech and Drama lessons are popular, preparing girls for LAMDA examinations. Professional productions, practitioner workshops and creative speakers are frequent visitors to the Department.

The Drama Department consists of four drama specialist practitioners:
After gaining a BA (Hons) in Drama at Bristol University, Ms Victoria Nash, Director of Drama, then gained a PGCE (Secondary) Drama at Middlesex University. She subsequently led Drama in a range of schools, before joining Mayfield in 2023. She combines her career with raising her three children, vegetarian cookery and yoga.

Mr Daniel Smith has been involved in theatre from a young age, performing and directing extensively before completing his degree and PGCE in Drama. Mr Smith also continues to practice his craft, which serves to ultimately enrich the students.

LAMDA teacher Jen Junemann trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and has been working as a professional actor for over a decade. Her credits range from Shakespeare to Sondheim and she has toured the UK and the world honing her craft. A passionate feminist, Jen served 6 years as Vice Chair of the Equity Women’s Committee, working to improve working conditions for female identifying workers. Jen loves teaching LAMDA at Mayfield, where her results are consistently outstanding, with a yearly average of 95% of her students receiving a Distinction. In addition, three of her Mayfield students have successfully gained places in the National Youth Theatre. Jen continues to divide her time between professional acting, teaching and parenting.

LAMDA teacher Donna Canale trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and has been working as a professional actor, singer/songwriter and session jazz vocalist for many years.  She has taught LAMDA in schools for over thirteen years and believes that imagination is one of the key ingredients in a well-rounded student and that LAMDA lessons add value to every student by guiding them in a way where they can think about events and characters outside their own experience. She currently volunteers as musical director within her community choir and runs Jazz Singing classes for adults. 

Drama production galleries