Drama Lessons at OWIS
At One World International School in Singapore, the Performing Arts are an essential part of our holistic education approach. Through Drama, students learn to express themselves creatively, build confidence, and collaborate with peers — key skills that extend far beyond the stage or classroom.
Drama is taught as a separate lesson in Primary and Secondary at OWIS Digital Campus and in Secondary at OWIS Nanyang Campus with electives offered in Cambridge IGCSE and IBDP.
The Importance of Drama as Part of the Well-Rounded Education at OWIS
Drama is a subject that nurtures the whole student. Through structured improvisation, storytelling, role-play, physical theatre and theatre traditions, students learn not only how to perform but how to understand themselves and others. Drama builds empathy by encouraging students to step into different characters, circumstances, and viewpoints. It strengthens teamwork as they negotiate ideas, take creative risks together, and co-construct scenes. It develops confidence as they find their voice, communicate clearly, and present their work with authenticity.
In the process of theatre-making, students also learn key lifelong skills. They practise self-management as they organise rehearsals, refine drafts, and prepare for performances. They develop critical and creative thinking as they analyse texts, explore character motivations, and solve staging challenges. Collaboration is central; they learn to listen, adapt, compromise, and support one another through the creative journey.
Ultimately, Drama provides a space for students to explore identity, communicate ideas, and develop resilience and artistry. Through ongoing rehearsal, reflection, and performance, they become more confident individuals, expressive storytellers, and thoughtful members of their community.
Drama in the curriculum
Primary Drama Programme (Grade 1–5) (OWIS Digital Campus)
At OWIS Digital Campus, the Primary Drama Programme is guided by the PYP student profile, using drama as a meaningful vessel for students to express themselves freely in a safe and supportive environment. Through creative play, role‑exploration, storytelling, and movement, students develop confidence, empathy, and collaboration skills while nurturing their imaginative thinking. Each grade participates in performance opportunities during whole‑school celebrations such as Kindness Day, Deepavali, and Christmas. These showcases allow students to share their learning with the wider community and experience the joy of being part of a collective performance. The programme emphasises personal growth, communication, and creativity—laying a strong foundation for future performing arts pathways.
Secondary Drama Programme (OWIS Digital Campus and OWIS Nanyang Campus)
The Secondary Drama Programme at OWIS Digital Campus and OWIS Nanyang Campus is grounded in the CLSP Drama framework, supporting students in developing performance skills, confidence, and a deeper understanding of dramatic conventions. Drama lessons introduce students to improvisation, script work, characterisation, and ensemble collaboration. Students also explore backstage roles such as stage management, technical support, and production planning, gaining a holistic appreciation of theatre-making. The programme nurtures creative risk‑taking, teamwork, and reflective practice, preparing students for more advanced drama studies and enriching their overall communication and presentation abilities.
Drama in the Academic English Prep Programme (AEPP) (Grade 6–8) (OWIS Digital Campus and OWIS Nanyang Campus)
Drama plays a vital role in the Academic English Prep Programme (AEPP), supporting the development of both language proficiency and interpersonal confidence. At One World International School (OWIS), the AEPP provides intensive English language support for students in Grades 6–8 who are preparing to transition into the mainstream curriculum. Drama complements this immersion approach by offering an interactive platform for students to practise speaking, listening, and collaborative communication in real-life contexts. Through role‑play, performance tasks, and group activities, students build vocabulary, strengthen pronunciation, and develop cultural understanding. Drama helps students overcome language barriers, express ideas more confidently, and engage meaningfully in an English-speaking academic environment.
Showcasing Talent: Concerts and Theatrical Productions
Our Secondary School productions at OWIS Nanyang and OWIS Digital Campus are a highlight of the year, providing unforgettable opportunities for students to shine both onstage and behind the scenes.
Recent performances include:
- William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (OWIS Nanyang, 2024)
- Alice in Digital Wonderland (OWIS Nanyang, 2024)
- William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet (OWIS Nanyang,2025)
- Kuo Pao Kun’s The Coffin is Too Big for the Hole (OWIS Digital Campus, 2025)
- Pat Cook’s The Last Stop Till Christmas (OWIS Digital Campus, 2024)
These productions exemplify our belief in creative exploration and teamwork, as students take on roles in acting, music, lighting, costume design, and set management.
Student-Led Production Culture at OWIS
At OWIS, we proudly uphold a truly student-led production ecosystem.
Over the past years, we have developed a strong and structured student production team where learners take on defined roles that mirror real industry practices. Every major position, Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Lighting Designer, Sound Engineer, Visual Media Operator, Marketing Manager, Stage Crew, and more, is held by students. The cast, too, operates with a high level of independence, collaborating, rehearsing, and problem-solving with remarkable maturity.
Teachers guide the process, but the students run the show. They call cues, design transitions, manage backstage operations, troubleshoot issues under pressure, and lead team communication. This model provides authentic opportunities for students to experience the realities of theatre-making: working to deadlines, navigating creative disagreements, solving unforeseen technical challenges, and adapting quickly when things shift.
At OWIS Nanyang, student-led productions come to life through performances such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo & Juliet. At OWIS Digital Campus, students apply their learning through in-house productions and performances at whole-school events, including Kindness Day.
This approach embodies total student agency. It gives learners the space to apply responsibility, resilience, leadership, and creativity in real time, skills that translate directly into any future industry or career path. The growth students experience through this hands-on production ownership is transformative, empowering them with confidence, competence, and a deep understanding of collaborative work.
Learning Spaces that Inspire Creativity
Across our OWIS campuses, Drama is supported by dedicated, well-equipped spaces that inspire creativity and collaboration.
- Our Black Box drama studios provide safe and flexible environments for movement, expression, and stagecraft, encouraging learners to experiment freely and confidently.
– Our Multi-Purpose Halls serve as vibrant communal spaces where we host performances, recitals and assemblies, giving students frequent opportunities to share their creativity with the school community. - At OWIS Digital Campus (Punggol), the world-class Quantum Arena offers a grand stage for productions — providing our students with a professional platform to showcase their talents.
Whether rehearsing in smaller studio spaces or performing under the lights in Quantum Arena, our students experience the thrill of the stage and the discipline of teamwork that the performing arts uniquely cultivate.
Why Drama and Theatre Matters at OWIS
Confidence and self-expression
Empathy and communication
Collaboration and leadership
Creativity and innovation
At OWIS, we believe every performance — whether a classroom skit or a full-scale production — is an opportunity for students to discover their voice and shine in their own way.
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