Sixth Form students can showcase their talents and get involved in a rich calendar of performance related activities which play an important role in our academy’s vibrant arts culture. We encourage students to become involved in the variety of performances.
Music
At Outwood Academy Hemsworth all students who study a music course in the sixth form benefit from a free, weekly, one to one lesson with a specialist peripatetic teacher. Students will receive tuition on their chosen instrument which will allow them to transfer this knowledge to their classroom studies. Sixth form students are encouraged to attend many of the extra curricular opportunities offered for music students from after school rock band, performing in the school musical, forming part of the musical band and to be part of the choir. The choir in the academy has a long legacy of success and has performed at various regional and national events. The choir performs annually at the Music For Youth Festival as well as at the Christmas lights switch on in Hemsworth town centre. The choir has also performed at local nursing homes and for Age UK, bringing music and cheer to the community.
Sixth form musicians regularly play a role in school events, performing at open evenings and awards evenings, ensuring that the strong musical heritage of Hemsworth is showcased. Similarly, sixth form creative students are encouraged to be ambassadors for the arts, working with Year 6 students on transition days, helping with key stage 3 extra curricular activities and at times supporting in the classroom with younger years during their free periods.
Drama & Dance
At Outwood Academy Hemsworth we have a long legacy of offering a range of extra curricular activities and staging high quality performances. We have produced well known musicals such as; Annie, Grease, Hairspray and Sister Act as well as staging variety performances that include dance pieces, band performances, solo performances and sections from musicals like Hamilton or Matilda. Sixth form students play a large role in these shows as they often take a lead performance role but also help to direct and manage rehearsals.
As well as staging well known musicals we also take part in The National Theatre Connections festival each year. The Connections festival is where 10 plays are written by published playwrights specifically for young people. The drama staff at in the school choose one of those plays to perform and audition and cast it using sixth form students. The play is performed at the school and then at a local professional theatre. Previously we have performed at; Doncaster Cast, Leeds Playhouse, Sheffield Crucible and York Theatre Royal. In 2019 Outwood Academy Hemsworth was chosen to perform the play 'Variations,' at The National Theatre London. A large majority of the cast for Connections are usually made up of sixth form creative students as the sixth form students process the commitment and dedication that is needed for a demanding rehearsal programme. Students who are interested in the technical aspects of theatre such as lighting, sound, costume and set are also encouraged to be a part of the production team.
The performing arts students are encouraged to attend the theatre regularly and there are regular theatre trips organised to professional theatres or to see touring productions of shows. Students have previously had the opportunity to see renowned theatre companies such as Kneehigh, Frantic and Gecko and NT tours.