Drama encourages and promotes self-confidence, language skills, imagination, creativity and co-operation and the valuable lessons that it instills live on long after school days.

Drama takes place on two levels at Treverton College…

Firstly, two exciting productions happen on the Treverton theatre stage every year. The College puts on a full dramatic production every year, with a musical every second year. Auditions are open to the whole school. In the past such shows such as ‘Grease’, ‘Annie’, ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’, ‘Servant of Two Masters’, ‘Joseph and his amazing techni-coloured dreamcoat’, ‘Hairspray’, ‘Peter Pan’, ‘Every(wo)man and ‘Bugsy Malone’ have graced the stage.

Each year, the College pupils are also able to take part in the annual Revue, which showcases the many talents of the pupils, including singing, dancing, music and drama. The College also has more low-key showcases of performance work, in the form of cultural concerts and musical soirees. Memories are made that last for a lifetime.

Not only does this hold true for those who participate on stage but also for those who get involved in the various behind-the-scenes activities such as sound and lighting, set-building and painting, make-up, and costume assistance.

The theatre also has a dedicated technical crew, made up solely of pupils, who run the lighting and sound for all events, including shows, assemblies, chapel services and many other functions. They learn a lot about technical equipment and earn service hours for the work that they do.

Secondly, on the Academic front, Dramatic Art at Treverton is an examinable Matric subject that encompasses an exciting and broad-based programme. At least half of this content is theory: studying of plays and playwrights; the origins and history of theatre, and different forms of speech, drama, dance, movement and music.

There is also a large practical component to which pupils are exposed in a modern, well-equipped theatre. This includes aspects of drama and theatrical production such as: performance arts, set & stage design, costumes & make-up, lights & sound, marketing & publicity, stage management, choreography and producing & directing.

In South Africa at the moment, careers that use Dramatic Arts are thriving, especially in film. There are several avenues of further studying that a pupil can take, including main stream degrees at regular universities and specialised degrees in film and live performance at institutions such as technicons and AFDA.

Although not all the pupils who take Dramatic Arts find themselves in a performance-based career, they all benefit from the inherent skills that they have learnt. In today’s world, big companies who hire managers look for people with Drama experience; those who go into the medical field benefit from the problem-solving skills they have learnt and the ability to communicate both verbally and non-verbally; teachers find the skills they have learnt invaluable; in fact any career that works with people utilises the skills learnt in Dramatic Arts. Not only that, but a Dramatic Arts learner comes out of school with a maturity and ability to assess situations, deal with them in a considerate manner and solve problems creatively.

In short, taking Dramatic Arts while at school sets you up for life!

Visual Art at Treverton integrates the study of South African and International Art history; and contemporary concepts/ art practices, with the teaching of a broad range of traditional and non-traditional art disciplines (including drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, installation and sculpture). Beginning in Grade 10 the students are introduced to a variety of mediums and subject matter, with an emphasis on the development of their drawing skills, and personal visual language. The students then specialize in the medium of their choice at the end of Grade 11 and develop a portfolio into their matric year. Treverton Visual art students participate in a number of exhibitions and competitions, as well as field trips to a variety of professional artist’s studios and local galleries. Trips further afield are also organized, with the aim of staying up to date with the contemporary South African Art industry. The students are also encouraged to utilize their skills for the benefit of their wider community, participating in set building, mural paintings and other projects.

Visual Art students are responsible for the conceptualization of an idea, the creative development, time management and practical execution of those ideas. This allows for the development of creative, lateral thinking ability; innovation and problem solving through the creative process. Craftsmanship, skill and attention to detail are cultivated. Other skills such as communication, analytical thinking, perseverance, collaboration, focus and accountability are also developed in the art room; skills critical for top careers in business and industry today. With grounding in visual culture studies and their own personal creative development, students are encouraged to explore and prepare for a wide variety of future career paths. Today there are many Trevertonians, past Art students, who are utilizing their artistic skills in careers such as architecture, digital arts, design, film, photography, even the culinary arts. As the world becomes more visual, many new arts and interdisciplinary careers are emerging, ensuring  that Visual Art has contemporary relevance, and is not limited by the old ‘fine arts’ perception of the subject.

Visual Art equips students to become independent critical thinkers and harness their creativity, while providing an enjoyable and stimulating space for personal growth.

International Youth Leadership program.

Treverton Grade 11 pupils are given the opportunity to participate in a Toastmasters International program which is designed to develop the communication and leadership skills of the participants through active participation in eight carefully designed interactive sessions of two hours each, over an four week period. Each participant presents two speeches, does two evaluations and delivers two impromptu speeches. The programme culminates in a Graduation Dinner organized by the students themselves. Each graduate plays an active role on the night and awards for Best Impromptu Speech, Best Evaluator and Best Prepared speech are presented.

What is covered?

• Each session serves to teach the participants a different aspect of public speaking, from the importance of vocal variety to the structure of a speech.
• Listening and mentoring skills in the form of feedback and evaluation of fellow participants’ speeches.
• Impromptu sessions to teach participants to “think on their feet”.
• How to conduct a proper meeting.

The sessions are conducted by experienced Toastmasters, who have completed a recognised Communication and Leadership program, with each one giving training in their particular area of expertise.