Houselights
HOUSELIGHTS is our elite drama group and was established in 2021. Initially developed for our Key Stage 5 students we also recognise growing talent in Years 10 and 11. Participation is by audition only and standards are incredibly high. We pride ourselves in producing public performances that go beyond the traditional school play and offering something different to the usual fare. HOUSELIGHTS perform straight plays which tackle themes that we could not always explore with our younger students, bridging the gap between secondary education and University. Members are easily recognisable around the school due to their distinctive HOUSELIGHTS hoodies which are one of the few permitted uniform variations in our Sixth Form. To date our performance have included:
2022 – The Good Person of Szechwan (Brecht)
2023 – Foremothers (Original piece)
2023 – Woyzeck (Buchner)
HOUSELIGHTS has become so popular over the last two years that we now have a dedicated team of students both on and off stage. Their sell out public performances take place in our intimate Sixth Form drama studio.
In some cases our Sixth Form students are able to merge their involvement with HOUSELIGHTS with their EPQ qualification. From Stage Managers, Costume Designers, Lighting Designers and Sound Engineers to Directors and Performers, our HOUSELIGHTS members go from strength to strength and continue to be a shining light for Drama at our school.
HOUSELIGHTS DEVISED (KS4-5)
The HOUSELIGHTS devised project follows the style of a key practitioner and is led Mr Smith. A key part of this project is to help students develop the skills they will need for their own devised work at A Level – however, our cast and crew are predominantly made up of students who are not studying Theatre A Level at all. We start with a key question or theme and explore it through a number of practical workshops, presenting the final piece to the public at the start of the New Year. This is a chance for our HOUSELIGHTS cast to take risks and push themselves creatively. It is also a chance for people to see something truly new and unique.
HOUSELIGHTS SCRIPTED (KS4-5)
Our main HOUSELIGHTS production takes place in the Spring and is entirely student led. We operate a Directors program whereby one of our Year 13 students directs and serves as a mentor to a Year 12 Assistant Director. Though our drama team are there to support when needed, our students tend to take control from day one and go on to produce some amazing results. The Scripted Performance is often the last opportunity to see some of our most talented students perform before they disappear on exam leave. Form some of them it is the culmination of seven years of drama at Chatham and Clarendon and for others it is the start of a new journey they never imagined they would set off on.
COMING SOON - HOUSELIGHTS A.C.T.
HOUSELIGHTS A.C.T. (Adult Community Theatre) is a new initiative we are looking to launch in the coming months. It will be an opportunity for our alumni to continue working with us but also an opportunity for parents and adults from the local area to take part in non-musical live theatre. We are still working out the final logistics but if you have a passion for performing, a love of lighting or you’re creative with costume then we’d love to hear from you. To register your interest please email: asmith@ccgrammarschool.co.uk.
