Performing Arts
Performing Arts at LVS Ascot
We encourage all our students in all year groups to take part in our productions, be it onstage or backstage.
As well as our permanent Performing Arts teachers and staff, we also have specialist external drama and music teachers that are available to come in for paid extra-curricular lessons for all students. Our acting tuition aims to enter students for LAMDA examinations (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art).
Our External Music Teachers include specialists in:
- Piano
- Violin
- Guitar
- Drums
- Singing
- Woodwind
- Brass
All of our external drama and music teachers can be contacted directly to discuss extra-curricular lessons for any age or level:
Our Facilities
At LVS Ascot we have superb facilities for our students that study or enjoy the Performing Arts. This includes the 250-seat Britvic Theatre with state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment. The theatre is used for our school productions, music concerts and recitals.
We also have rehearsal spaces, a smaller stage, music-tech rooms and state of the art digital equipment.
A Year in Performing Arts
The Autumn term started with our Young Performer of the Year events as well as Senior House Performing Arts.
Student-led House Performing Arts improves each year, and the camaraderie shown in each House, along with creative performances, was a joy to see.
We concluded the term with a hugely successful production of ‘Footloose’ performed by students in Years 7-13. The National Schools Theatre Awards attended our performance and gave us a rave review…
“As the audience left, there was a collective sense of having witnessed something extraordinary. Footloose the Musical at LVS Ascot was not just a show; it was a celebration of talent, teamwork, and the infectious joy of performance.”
This production showcased the talent at LVS Ascot and also the supportive nature of our older students who acted as excellent role models to the younger students.
In the Spring we held auditions for our Year 5-9 production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the Musical, and a record number of students auditioned. The performance took place in May with an 80 strong cast and 20 backstage crew.
This was a challenging production technically and the cast and crew took it all in their stride performing brilliantly to full houses each night. We also had two students in the orchestra, Thomas in Year 13 and Edward in Year 7. We look forward to working with all of these students again in future productions, they are already showing phenomenal talent at a young age.
We have also seen talent from our youngest students in the IJS. Students from Reception to Year 13 took part in our Performing Arts Marathon at the end of term which lasted 12 hours. Students performed work from their dance and music lessons and work from their performing arts clubs.
Year 3 and 4 students performed their own mini musicals first performed in March for their Grade 1 Musical Theatre LAMDA exam, achieving very high marks. Congratulations to everyone who has worked hard for music and LAMDA exams. A particular congratulations goes to Cait for gaining 100% in her Grade 6 Acting LAMDA exam.
We are lucky to be part of the Independent Schools Association and, as a result, we have the opportunity to take part in the competitions they host throughout each year. We’ve had a lot of success, and our Year 8 girls made it through to the final of the ISA Dance competition in October.
Our brand-new A Cappella choir competed for the first time in the Spring term and gained third place in the competition. Also, in the Spring we entered two groups in the ISA Drama Competition. Year 10 were awarded an Honourable mention for their performance of ‘Find Me’ as well as an award for Most Convincing Characterisation for Sonya.
Sonya also achieved first place in the ISA Shakespeare Monologue competition for her original monologue which she wrote and performed as Lady Macbeth. We hosted the final of the Musical Theatre competition and had more success with three performers through to the finals. Emelie was awarded the Adjudicators Choice Award for her solo performance.
We are constantly amazed by the dedication and commitment of our students, in lessons, rehearsals, clubs, performances, competitions and productions and we would like to thank everyone who has supported the Performing Arts department this year.
What Our Students Say - Scarlett
A day pupil who joined LVS Ascot in the summer of Year 4, Scarlett acted as our Wellbeing Prefect. She loved the opportunities this role gave her to help others. Scarlett arrived at the school as a shy and sensitive child and says the school has made her the person she is today.
She enjoyed how the Sixth Form is organised to prepare students for life at university and beyond school.
“The way we learned and the way we were treated by the teachers was different. They encouraged us to do what works”.
Scarlett overcame her shyness and enjoyed performing in school productions. She loved playing on stage as the bass player in the band for the musical ‘Six’.
What Our Students Say - George
When he joined LVS Ascot, George was particularly attracted by the school’s working theatre and Performing Arts Department. He enjoyed all the options available to students and loved performing in productions, producing the musicals, and volunteering for backstage roles too.
He was able to learn new and different skills with the help of the professional technicians who come in to work in the theatre.
What Our Students Say - Angus
“It wasn’t until I was at LVS Ascot that I discovered what I really liked. You get a lot of support and advice. Thanks to the amazing opportunities at the school in the performing arts department, I found myself able to try new things.
Angus is keen to pursue his interest in film studies, either as a director or an actor, after leaving school. He found the professional and caring nature of his teachers helped him discover his creative side.