Changing Perspectives

We are so excited to share with the friends and families of the Youth Theatre classes a physical theatre play called Perspectives. 

Our high school students have been hard at work learning the techniques used in physical theatre, understanding the genre and bringing to life this piece.

Actors will be dressed in black; they will use broomsticks which are transformed into a number of different props.

This play requires the optimal use of both body and voice. A challenge our students are accepting boldly. 

Physical theatre is a type of theatrical performance which emphasises physical expression as the primary conveyor of dramatic meaning. 

It goes beyond the narrative, incorporating physical and visual elements on a level at least equal to verbal elements.  It is, however, more than simply abstract movement – it includes some element of character, narrative, relationships and interaction between the performers. 

Perspectives will be performed by all Youth Theatre classes this year. We hope to see you all there.

Island Time

Many of us dream of island getaways in the middle of the workday or work week. With drama our students have the opportunity to bring these dreams to life as their imaginations and creativity run free.

Drama has the power to transport you anywhere you like.

And this year’s Lower Primary Production will transport the students to a tropical island. How fun!

Paradesia is set on an island and promises to be full of adventure and fun.

The Durbanville LP class started rehearsing last week. They had great fun with teacher Inandi Vosloo. (Pictured above)

We hope to see friends and family in the audience when the students take to the stage and we'll all be transported together. 

Primary Focus

Much has been said and written about Early Child Development and the importance of the first years.

As teachers and parents we're often reminded of the great responsibility afforded us to do the best we can to ensure our students and children get the best start in their education journey.

Studies show the first 8 years  life are critical to the child's holistic growth. The emotional, social and physical development of young children has a direct effect on their overall development and on the adult they will become. 

At Helen O' Grady we don't see this a daunting task or great challenge to shy away from. We see this as an opportunity to make a life-changing impact on the young ones who carry our future.

Our primary school programme gives students the start they need for this all-round development. We are thrilled to part of every child's journey!

Spring is Coming

Spring is coming

And oh how we love newness.

A new term, a new season, new faces, new curriculum, new scenes, new skills to teach and new skills to learn, new opportunities for growth and new opportunities for fun!

And so far, this term has brought so much of it and we simply cannot wait for more.

Drama is a place of newness. New ideas come to life, new emotions are experienced throughout, new friends are made while it all happens and new layers of creativity are peeled back. 

We walk in others' shoes and learn empathy and compassion. We see the world through new eyes and see people with open hearts.

This is the magic of drama. This is why we do what we do. We are so happy to have you as a part of it all.

Theme Supreme

They say, “Art imitates Life” and so we like to incorporate ‘real-life’ themes into our Kindy classes. This way these young ones are not onlyl learning and enjoying performance skills but also interacting with real-world concepts in a fun and energetic way.

The last few weeks our classes exploded into the SPORT theme. How fitting for such a sport-mad country.

During the lessons teachers and students discuss the theme and share what they know and experience around the themes. Various activities then focus in on a number of skills. For example, during Movement we focus on balancing – students balance carefully while walking across a line like gymnasts; they even have to carry something on their heads for an extra challenge.

We also read and perform scenes from books. For this particular theme we use “The Sports Day” by Nick Butterworth & Mick Inkpen. Students live out the characters and scenarios from the story and bring the words and pictures to life in their unique way.

Rainbow Montessori's Kindy students just LOVED this theme

We also had great fun playing “Balloon Sports”. Using balloons allow the students to simulate ball sports without risking injury –or damage in the classroom J So much fun had by boys and girls alike!

EXPRESS YOURSELF

In today’s world it’s so hard for kids to just be themselves.

Pressure comes from a number of avenues – friends, 

teachers, TV, family and unknowingly children are being told who to be to fit in. 

At Helen O’ Grady, along with our parents we strive to create 

an environment where students feel safe to be who they are and express themselves freely.

Children who don’t get the opportunity to express 

themselves often grow up not knowing their own potential.

 Teaching kids how to express themselves needs to happen as

 early in life as possible—before the peer-pressure at school and from the media really kick in.

Learning how to express themselves can build their self-confidence, help them develop smart, independent thinking and nurture their creativity.

Drama gives children and youth a healthy way to express emotions like sadness, anger, aggression, happiness and excitement.

The Kuils River Upper Primary group show their great range of emotions and expressions

Every child is unique and together we can look for ways to foster the artistic expression that’s already within them.

Teaching children how to express themselves is one of the most important life skills you can give them. When children feel comfortable expressing who they are, they can make their dreams come true!

Term Two = Parent Day!

We love the second term!

As the leaves turn orange, brown and crunchy our students become more accustomed to the Helen O’ Grady methods and activities and classmates are more comfortable working together. And mostly, second term means PARENT DAY!

Parent Day is a highlight on the drama class calendar as our students get to invite their parents for a presentation and a mini-showcase of their skills. The Parent Day is a great opportunity for parents, friends and family to be part of a drama class. 

They get to see and be part of the action, a behind the scenes look into the magic that takes place every time they drop off their children at a drama class.

Teacher, Inandi Vosloo and her charges at the Paarl Studio start their preparation...

We hope all of our students will have someone in the audience to smile at from the stage when they present what they’ve already started preparing for this term’s Parent Days.

Hope to see you there!

Great start for Bellville

The week got off to a brilliant start as our Bellville school and studio students met their new teacher,  Ansuné van der Merwe.

Ansuné has always been passionate about all performing arts. 

So much so she started ballet at the age of 4! She went on to train in modern, Spanish and tap dancing.

She also loves singing and playing piano – we can’t wait to see her in action with the students at the year-end productions.

She had Drama as a school subject and was involved in various 

productions during her high school career. After graduating with a B.A. in Media & Writing and Law, Ansuné decided to follow her heart and pursue a career in the performing arts. She trained at the Waterfront Theatre School where she gained invaluable experience on stage.

She is currently working as a freelance actress and dancer while reading towards her ATCL Teaching Diploma in Speech and Drama through Trinity College.

While she enjoys performing, Ansuné is most excited to share her love for drama with others as a teacher. She believes drama is a powerful tool which allows students to find their voices, feel safe and loved, express their creativity and develop into confident individuals. It was a great start at Bellville yesterday and we can’t wait to see her and the students grow!

MORE THAN AN ACTING CLASS

Not all of our students will be Oscar winning actors someday. But before you de-enroll your child let’s look at some of the amazing benefits – major film awards aside – of attending drama classes.

The skills acquired while part of a drama course like Helen o’ Grady will be of use to these young hearts throughout their life. While acting and performing are of great value one of the most valuable skills your child will learn from drama is probably self-confidence.

The games and activities taught during our classes sow seeds and nurture spontaneity and creativity. There is no wrong or right, all is accepted.

Stellenbosch students follow their teacher, Inandi, to new corners of the imagination.

The drama class is a place where imaginations can run free and expression is praised rather than supressed. And this will overflow into other areas, at school, at home and at play.

We are so exceptionally proud and honoured to be a place where children can come and enjoy the many avenues drama can take them.

YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO PLAY PRETEND

You’re never too old to play “pretend”.

But then, our Youth Theatre programme offers so much more than that! 

Our    Youth    Theatre classes feature a dynamic, developmental   drama   programme. 

While some of our students start with us at Kindy level and progress throughout the levels reaching the Youth stage, others start their journey here. No  matter where a student starts at,  our  curriculum  aims and works to improve their creativity,     confidence     and communication skills.  

High School comes with a number of challenges in and outside the classroom. What we offer students will also prepare them for a number of these. We've seen students benefit  in  particular when it comes to presentations,  public speaking  and  performance  talents. 

All  sessions  are designed to  allow  each  student to  express  themselves in a positive way.

LIGHTS. CAMERA. TEACH

Not only has it been an exciting week for new and returning students, it’s also been a memorable one for us. We are so excited to tell you about our two new wonderful teachers on staff! 

With great pleasure we would like to introduce Anna Greenfield and Inandi Vosloo. 

They are well qualified, energetic and full of charisma. They both completed a BA and honours degree in Drama and Theatre Arts. 

Anna Greenfield enjoying the enthusiasm of the group at Bellville Christian Academy

As with all of our teachers, they completed specialist training in the Helen O’Grady Drama System and will continue to receive ongoing training and supervision.  Our principal, Mari Crafford, visited their first classes this week and so far has shared her immense confidence in their abilities and dedication to excellence. 

Helen O’ Grady teachers from around the region getting practical during the first term training

They’ve already enjoyed a great start to this new chapter and we are so excited to see them and the students soar to new heights.

You will, of course, read all about that and more right here on our blog so keep your eyes on this page!

New Year New Drama

Every new year brings new challenges and each new challenge brings new opportunities. We are so excited to get the new school year started, to welcome familiar and new faces into our school and studio classes and start the journey of drama that 2017 holds in store. 

The action commences on Monday the 16^th of January. 

Please see below for the start dates for a school or studio near you:

Monday, 16^th

^{Bellville Christian Academy}

^Bellville

^Stellenbosch

Tuesday, 17^th

^Kenridge

^Paarl

Wednesday, 18^th

^Durbanville

Thursday, 19^th

^{Hebron Christian Academy}

^{Kuils River}

Friday, 20^th

^{De Tyger Primary}

^{Rainbow Montesorri} 

If you haven’t enrolled yet, no fear, we have some spaces left in some of our classes. All you have to do is send a quick e-mail to mari@helenogrady.co.za

HURRY. 2017 is going to be the best year yet!