Journey Through the Performing Arts at DCB

At Dulwich College Beijing (DCB), the performing arts experience goes beyond mere basking in the spotlight. It’s a series of mini journeys that nurture a love for the arts, deepen students’ understanding of what makes a performance genuinely successful, develop skills applicable beyond school, foster collaboration with passionate peers and the broader community, and along the way, inspire future generations of young artists.

History and Legacy

Our passion for the performing arts dates back over 400 years to Dulwich College in London, founded by actor and impresario Edward Alleyn, a contemporary of William Shakespeare. Alleyn valued performing arts not just for entertainment but also for enlightenment and self-discovery. At DCB, our commitment to the arts integrates seamlessly with our other *educational pillars, ensuring a well-rounded education that centres on students’ growth and passions. 

Facilities and Events

As in any performance, the setting is vital to the story, and our drama and music rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art sound systems and lighting technology to support our students’ creativity. Our purpose-built theatres – the Wodehouse Theatre and the Edward Alleyn Theatre – see over 30 productions annually. This number doesn’t even include the performances at assemblies, smaller productions throughout the year and culminating shows run by guest educators. 

Inspirational Learning 

DCB regularly welcomes guest educators from leading educational and artistic institutions worldwide, providing students with direct access to world-class performers who mentor our aspiring artists. Last year’s guests included members of the Auckland Dance Troupe, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and more. Additionally, our professional artist-parents generously share their time and professional expertise with our students. Our own specialist teachers bring decades of experience and have taught students not just in Beijing but from all over. These professional insights allow our students to see the arts through the eyes of seasoned performers, broadening their understanding of the industry and deepening their appreciation for the craft, both on and off the stage.

Journey through the Performing Arts at DCB

Starting from their earliest years in DUCKS all the way to their senior year, opportunities abound – including some student-led ones – for our students to explore their artistic passions. Our DUCKS students learn through play, and the performing arts – be it in music, dance, or theatre – allow them to take their communication skills to the next level by also incorporating body language, voice, and facial expressions. Through various teaching strategies like inquiry-based learning, singing expressively, playing instruments musically, and experimenting with sound, children embark on a musical adventure that includes performances like the DUCKS Christmas Production and the Key Stage 1 Recitals.

In the Junior School, children participate in bands, choirs, and various performances such as the MADD (Music, Art, Drama and Dance) Festival and the Junior School Winter Festival. Music is part of the curriculum until Year 6, followed by more structured Drama and Music courses from Year 7, naturally progressing toward Music, Drama and Theatre in both IGCSE and the IB programmes.

In Key Stage 4, students delve into IGCSE Music coursework, which involves performances, compositions, and a listening examination covering Classical Music, World Music, and set works. In addition, there’s a focus on drama, with group and individual performances, leading to reflection on their progress as performers.

Our learning extends beyond the campus and at times beyond Beijing. Last year alone we hosted the Asia-wide ISCMS (International Schools Choral Music Society), travelled to Dulwich College Singapore for the Dulwich Olympiad, took part in the MADD Festival at Dulwich College Shanghai and headed to Dulwich College Suzhou for the annual Dulwich Festival of Music. We also have numerous opportunities on campus, often student-led and sometimes even impromptu, that include dance battles, band performances at various Senior School events, House challenges, CCAs (Co-Curricular Activities), and more.

Through a combination of exploration, reflection, and experimentation, students are encouraged to create original work and deepen their understanding of music and drama.

At Dulwich College Beijing, the stage and the expectant audience are not the starting point—they are the grand finale of a carefully crafted process that brings all our students’ efforts and passions into focus. Once the performance is over and we’ve reflected on areas of improvement, the next phase of the journey begins anew, continuing the ongoing cycle of learning and growth. 

*At Dulwich College Beijing, we have five educational pillars – Academics, Sport, Arts, Learning Beyond the Classroom and Global Citizenship.