A-LEVEL DRAMA

Joe studied English Literature at Cambridge before setting up his own theatre company. Before teaching, alongside acting, he was a singer and composer. After taking a PGCE in English and Drama at Cambridge, Joe taught Drama at d’Overbroeck’s, becoming Head of Department in 2013. His interests in theatre include modern interpretations of Shakespeare, brutalist 90s playwrights, physical theatre and the odd well-penned musical.

Before teaching at d’Overbroeck’s Phil completed his PhD at the University of Leicester with the History of Film department; he had previously read Drama with English (BA) and English (MA) at Loughborough University. Phil is pleased that he is able to work in the Media, Drama and EPQ departments at d’Overbroeck’s, building on the skill and variety he had in his studies. He has previous teaching experience in primary and secondary schools, and also taught undergraduate students at the University of Leicester – because of which he is also an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. He has also worked with youth theatre groups, including at The Curve Theatre, Leicester, where he trained as a Young Arts Facilitator, and has been on the Board of Trustees at The Little Theatre, also Leicester. He remains involved in theatre, directing and acting in local productions; he is most proud of his production of The Zoo Story, which won several awards on route to the All-England Theatre Festival Final.

Fizza studied at Reading University before completing her PGCE in English and Drama at Oxford. She trained at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in Paris, under the mastery and pedagogy of Philippe Gaulier himself, where she then became a movement and acting teacher. She has additional skills in mime, masks and Commedia dell’Arte. Fizza has been a former Head of Drama at a variety of Independent and Comprehensive schools. She lived and worked in Paris for over 6 years before joining d’Overbroeck’s. In addition to teaching Drama, she has been an examiner and moderator for Drama and has extensive experience of teaching and coaching actors and directing and devising plays for performance in the UK and France. She pioneered the Oxford–Grenoble Youth Theatre link and led many Sixth Form groups to perform at the festival.

Beyond Drama Teaching, Fizza is also passionate about Coaching. She is qualified in three dynamic modalities: RMT Strategic Intervention Coaching; Jack Canfield coaching and NLP with Richard Bandler. She is also an experienced Programme Director, leading the academic and pastoral aspects for the 19+ Summer Programme, based at Oxford University. Fizza also leads the Lower 6 Personal Development Programme.