Making a dramatic difference

Our students at Hebron Christian Academy in Kuils River showed that they are ready for Parent Day by giving their best performances this week.

From Scene Starters to Mime and even during the Introductory Activities, every student gave their best and showed how much they've enjoyed what they've learnt this term.

The Introductory activities had them searching their homes for lost treasures while the Mime To Music this week took place at The Dog Show. In pairs the group produced plays centred around a first – time canoe adventure allowing students to put to practise the ad-lib and improv skills they've been taught throughout the year.

Hebron Christian Academy's Lower Primary group giving their best.

All our studios and after-school programmes give students the opportunity to learn and grow with each lesson. Every lesson ends with students having performed mimes, improv plays in big or small groups allowing them to walk away not only with more skills, but also a sense of achievement.

If you would like to know more about what we do or how you could get involved take a look at our website. You are also free to visit our Facebook and Twitter pages for more info and regular updates.

We can't wait to meet you.

All the world's a stage

One of the best parts of being part of the global Helen O' Grady Drama Academy is witnessing the growth of our students week in and week out. Every lesson they are faced with various challenges. These challenges are often of the creative kind where they are asked to produce and create scenes, characters and stories. They are also challenged to work in teams, accept others and respect the ideas and input from classmates. These challenges allow our students to grow within the demands of drama as well as skills that will assist them with the daily demands of life.

Shakespeare said it best.

Not only is the drama class a place for our students, your children, to be anything they choose to be; they also walk out knowing a understanding a little more about themselves and the world we live in.

If your child is between the ages of 3 and 18 find a studio near you and join us for a free trial lesson.

If YOU are in this age group and would like to get involved, tell your parents about us, give us a call and we'll tell you more.

For now, find out more at our website, on Facebook or Twitter. 

With Enthusiasm

Emerson said, “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm”. At Helen O' Grady we agree with this sentiment 100%. Our classes and teachers are steered by enthusiasm bringing to life international curriculum and bringing out the best in our students.

It is also said that enthusiasm is contagious, our teachers therefore strive to bring bucket loads of enthusiasm to each and every class. From enthusiasm; creativity, positivity and confidence will flow.

Helen O' Grady brings to students high energy, high impact, bold activities and exercises ensuring growth and development. Our lessons are great place to learn and to do so with enthusiasm.

If your child is between the ages of 3 and 18 find a studio near you and join us for a free trial lesson.

If YOU are in this age group and would like to get involved, tell your parents about us, give us a call and we'll tell you more.

For now, find out more on our website, on Facebook or Twitter. 

Making a Scene

We've just about made it to the half way mark of Term 2. We've learnt so much while we also have so much more in store.

Every term brings something new to each age group. For the Lower Primary group, curriculum has been enhances with the addition of Scene Starters towards the end of each lesson.

During Scene Starters teachers provide students with the opening lines to short scenes, it is then left up to the students create and complete the scene. What we've seen so far is students exercising their creativity, using the skills taught during Group Improvs and working in teams to produce well-rounded stories.

The Helen O' Grady curriculum is used at all the Academies around the world. The drama principles taught remain the base and platform of each lesson with enhancements, like the Scene Starters, added with each term and each year to keep our students a step ahead.

Durbanville and Kenridge Lower Primary students
show their best side.

There's something for every child of every age. Contact us today for a free trial lesson.

In the mean time, go over to www.helenogrady.co.za for more information.

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

Be anyone we choose...

“A swirling skirt, a pirate’s hat,

Some baggy pants and things like that.

With a jacket, bow tie or high-heeled shoes

We can be anyone we choose.”

This short poem is performed at the end of the Lower Primary’s Whole Class Improv last week. This improv will be a favourite for the students and teachers as it reminds us of one of the great allowances of drama: to be anyone we choose.

Drama allows our students to, for a moment, put aside worries of home and school and dig into themselves for creativity, dreams and ideas. This space is an opportunity for each student to be their best and see themselves at their best. This is key to building their confidence and self-esteem and it is also key to their understanding of themselves and the wonderful things they are able to reach for and achieve.

Paarl Lower Primary class perform their
Whole Class Improv: What a Find!

What a privilege it is for us as teachers to be a part of these journeys and what each student grow.

If you would like to get involved please do get in touch with us:

Visit our website

Take a look at our Facebook page

Contact the office directly: 021 913 3635

Lights. Camera. Action. Sport!

Our Kindy classes are a great way for young drama kings and queens to get familiar with drama principles. Our teachers love teaching these classes as energy and enthusiasm levels are at its highest. Students are aged between 3 and 5 and get to learn to express themselves, tell stories and communicate with others. We have found that this space offers our students the opportunity to grow their confidence as well as their self-esteem.

The term is divided into themes allowing students to learn about the world we live in and expand their language and understanding. 

We’re currently enjoying a sport theme in our Kindy class and our young ones are getting to mime their favourite sporting activities, learn the role of referees, and learn to work in teams as well as other key learnings. This is done through movement, mime, improv, storytelling and listening games. 

Students use balloons to play various sports. What fun!

The Kindy class is the best possible start for children with an interest in drama. It is also a great place for children to start interacting with others in preparation for school and life. 

If you would like to visit one of our Kindy classes get in touch with us: 

021 913 3635 or mari@helenogrady.co.za
Also, visit our Facebook page for more.

One more speech

We recently shared with you our excitement as we prepare for the Speech elements of our Parent Day presentations. Speech is a very important part of what we do at Helen O‘Grady Drama Academy.

We’ve found that over the years, this part of the curriculum returns great results in our students’ overall development.

One may think that speech can be taught in isolation and this is true. Speech lessons will be effective in teaching students to communicate and they can take this skill into all aspects of their lives. However, when speech is combined with drama, they will not only learn effective communication, they will also be learning how to communicate in a creative and confident way.

Speech, as part of our drama classes explores the importance of projection, forward placing, effective use of lip, tongue and jaw as well as annunciation and other principles.

If you would like to know more please get in touch with us. Trial lessons are free and there is a class for every age group meaning your child could fit in immediately without a wait.

Visit our website or Facebook page for more.

We can’t wait to hear from you.

Speak Out!

As we build up to our Parent Day presentations our Lower and Upper Primary classes have been working hard towards their speech showcases.

For the Lower Primary groups this will take the form of a group poem. Our students in grades 1 through to 3 have been learning and will be performing a new poem specially written to show the skills they have acquired throughout their speech activities this term and this year.

In the Upper Primary classes students have enthusiastically been learning and rehearsing a Verbal Dynamics piece. This work uses poetry and drama to bring to life group speech activities.

Either group will do their best to show their parents the skills they have been taught throughout their time with Helen O’ Grady. These skills include projection, exclamation, volume control, resonance, to name a few.

We cannot wait to host our ever supportive parents at this term’s Parent Day.

Be sure to check out our Facebook page to make sure you don’t miss out.