SENIOR THEATRE PROGRAM

Our theatre arts program strengthens students' social awareness and knowledge, presentation skills, fluency of speech, confidence and self expression. In grades 8 and 9 electives, students study scene work, script writing, mime, improvisation, poetry and prose presentation, physical and vocal expression, and learning to be part of an ensemble. As students progress through the dramatic forms of expression, greater emphasis is on the individual's development as a creator, performer, producer and critic. Students in Theatre 11/12 perform in one-act plays and school performances throughout the year, focusing on mastery of acting techniques. 

 

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  • Courses 

    • Drama 8, 9 
    • Theatre 10/11/12 

  • Annual Theatre Production 

    Every year, the senior drama department, Theatre Company 10-12, performs a full-scale theatre production, alternating between dramatic plays and musicals, at the Norman Rothstein Theatre. The production is a highlight of the year for cast and crew, who start rehearsals in early fall. Recent productions include Shrek! The Musical and Alice in Wonderland. In March 2025, Theatre Company will perform A Midsummer Night's Dream. 

  • Additional Performance Opportunities

    Each year students in grades 9 to 12 perform at the Vancouver Speech and Drama Festival in categories such as monologue, poem, prose, scene and speech.

Niamh McAllister
SENIOR SCHOOL DRAMA TEACHER

Niamh has been teaching drama for over 30 years and has been at WPGA since 2000, and currently teaches in the senior drama department. Born in Cork, Ireland, to a family of acclaimed artists, writers and broadcasters, Niamh was drawn to the performing arts after seeing her father perform at the Abbey Theatre Dublin. She went on to study at the London Academy of Music and Drama before obtaining a teaching certification and a BA in English and Latin from University College Cork. For Niamh, drama is magical: as performers, students not only explore and express themselves as individuals, but they are able to meaningfully connect to their audience. Niamh’s many productions at WPGA include The Mousetrap, The Wizard of Oz, Pride and Prejudice, Anne Of Green Gables, The Sound of Music, The Crucible, Grease, The Ash Girl, Shrek, and Alice in Wonderland.  
 

Josh Hatt
DRAMA/ ENGLISH TEACHER & THEATRE PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Joshua joined WPGA in August 2024 from St. John’s School, where he was the all-school drama teacher from 2020, delivering IB curriculum and developing both senior school and elementary productions. Previous to St. John’s, Joshua taught drama abroad for several years, including at Shanghai American School - Pudong in Shanghai, GEMS World Academy in Dubai, and Franconian International School in Germany. Joshua holds a Master of Education in Teacher Leadership & Curriculum from Walden University in Minnesota and a Bachelor of Education in Intermediate/Senior Drama and Social Studies from Trent University. Joshua continues to work with the International Schools Theatre Association, based in England, and Drama Teacher Academy in New York.
 




   

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Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Honoured to learn and play on these beautiful lands, we endeavour to be a leader in Indigenous education. In creating shared understanding and opportunities, we hope to help foster a more equitable society for all.

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West Point Grey Academy

4125 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4P9
Tel: 604-222-8750