Productions @ Ballard
BallardArts is the beating heart of our busy, thriving School. Recognising its importance to pupils’ academic growth, wellbeing, and future skills, all our pupils from Reception to Year 11 have many arts-led opportunities.
Performing Arts at Ballard isn’t just about being on stage, pupils are able to get involved behind the scenes too in a plethora of tasks including; set and prop design, hair and make up, sound and lighting, costume design and stage management.
Our purpose-built Performing Arts Centre, with green room, foyer and fully-equipped technical box, hosts our spectacular, professional quality productions. During 2024-2025, our productions included a Nativity and Summer Show case for pupils in Nursery through to Year 2; our Year 3 to Year 6 production of The Lion King Jnr.; The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas for Years 7 & 8; Guys and Dolls (Years 9 to 11) and a whole school dance show. In addition, we stage an annual informal summer and Christmas concert, music and singing recitals (120+ performances), scholars’ showcase, numerous outside events and our carol concert, which is held at The Priory in Christchurch.
In the summer of 2023, we held a number of sold-out performances for our whole-school production of The Wizard of Oz at The Regent in Christchurch. The biggest single production Ballard has ever staged, with well over 200 pupils from Years 2 to 11. In addition, a large team of staff and alumni were involved, helping our pupils in the front of house, back stage and in the orchestra.
The success stories from our Preforming Arts programme are manifold: from the cool Year 11 pupil encouraged to audition, despite being ‘completely out of his comfort zone’, who loved it. The reluctant singer who found her voice, in the dark, at fireworks, to the astonishment of her friends. Pupils have won scholarships to their sixth form and we have a number of successful Performing Arts alumni including an International Opera star, pop band and actress.
Recent Ballard Productions
