Dance & Drama
Dept. Head: Reece Cantelon
Dance Program Overview
The Dance program at Westminster invites students to express themselves through movement, creativity, and a diverse array of dance styles. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced dancer, our classes offer a welcoming and supportive environment to develop your technique, learn choreography, and build performance skills. Students explore a wide range of dance forms, including hip-hop, jazz, ballet, contemporary, and even cultural dances from around the world.
Our dance curriculum emphasizes both individual growth and ensemble work. Students will collaborate on choreographed pieces, learn to improvise, and develop an understanding of rhythm, body alignment, and movement dynamics. Performances are a key aspect of the program, providing students with the opportunity to showcase their skills and hard work. Special workshops and guest instructors bring fresh perspectives, helping students gain confidence and find their own unique voice through dance.
Unique Learning Opportunities in Dance
- Choreography Projects: Students have the chance to create their own choreographed pieces, blending technique and creativity.
- Guest Workshops: Professional dancers and choreographers from various backgrounds visit to conduct specialized workshops, offering new insights and techniques.
- Performance Opportunities: Dance students participate in school-wide performances, including winter showcases, spring productions, and collaborative arts nights with drama, music, and art students.
- Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Collaboration with the Drama and Music departments creates interdisciplinary projects that challenge and inspire.
Drama Program Overview
The Drama program at Westminster takes students on an immersive journey through the world of theatre, film, and storytelling. From the roots of drama in ancient Greek theatre, complete with masks and dramatic rituals, to modern performance art, our curriculum spans a wide array of acting techniques, history, and production skills. Students develop their ability to step into diverse roles, hone their acting techniques, and learn how to create compelling narratives for the stage and screen.
Drama students explore everything from character development and scriptwriting to costume design and set creation. They gain practical experience through projects like radio and television commercials, short films, and live stage productions. Our courses cover essentials like voice work, movement, and improvisation, and introduce students to the technical side of theatre, including lighting, sound, and film editing.
Unique Learning Opportunities in Drama
- Stage Productions: Students collaborate to produce plays, exploring roles both on stage and behind the scenes, including directing, set design, and costume creation.
- Film Studies & Filmmaking: Drama students study classic and contemporary films, create their own short films, and learn about camera work, editing, and storytelling in film.
- Improvisation & Character Workshops: Through guided activities, students build improvisational skills, develop complex characters, and enhance their stage presence.
- Scriptwriting Projects: Students write and perform their own scenes and scripts, gaining insight into the process of creating compelling narratives.
Student Testimonials
"The dance program at Westminster helped me gain so much confidence. I loved performing in front of my peers and learning different styles of dance!" - GRADE 12 STUDENT
"Drama class has been an amazing experience. I learned how to write scripts, act in plays, and even direct scenes. The teachers are incredible and supportive." - GRADE 10 STUDENT
"Being part of the dance showcases was the highlight of my high school experience. I made lifelong friends and got to work with talented choreographers." - GRADE 12 STUDENT
"The drama program taught me to speak confidently and work creatively. I even discovered a passion for filmmaking!" - GRADE 11 STUDENT
