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.

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.

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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.

Fresh start for young drama kings and queens

The new term began last week and what an enthusiastic start we had.

Term 2 brings our Primary groups new and exciting additions to the curriculum. Our students are always keen to learn new skills as our teachers continue to equip them with the best of drama education and development.

This term is extra special as we also prepare for our mid-year Parent Day Presentations. At the Parent Days our students have the opportunity to show their parents and friends what they've learnt throughout the year. The Parent Day is a showcase of the skills our students have acquired as they perform their term favourites.

Lower Primary classes have started to work on Scene-Starters 

and continue to enjoy Whole Class Improvs

This term will see new exercises of well known activities as well as new activities for new and returning students. The curriculum is set in a way that will extend the abilities of all students and increase their knowledge and skills.

If you have children between the ages of 3 and 18 there is something for each child. Find a studio near you and sign up for a free trial lesson.

Go to our website, Facebook page or Twitter to find out more and be part of the action.

Helen O' Grady students earn gold

At Helen O' Grady we look to reward students as often as possible.

Our drama classes are full of energy and fun, and not only this, we acknowledge students who have faithfully attended and participated in our programme.

For our students starting out we have Merit Certificates which can be earned within the first year with the Academy. This ensures that even late joiners are recognised as part of the Helen O' Grady family.

The Achievement Certificates are awarded after a full year with the programme.

As the students progress, the prize increases. After 100 lessons students receive their first trophy. 100 lessons is possible after 10 terms or 2½ years. After that, learners are in line to earn trophies after 200 and 300 lessons, these are students who have been part of the family for between 5 and nearly 8 years!

Nerise Malan of Somerset West is one of many students who earned gold. Nerise, like other students around the Northern suburbs and Winelands area have been with us from Primary class days and is now part of the Youth Theatre programme.

Awards are presented to students twice a year. The presentations take place at our Mid-Year Parent Day and at the Year-End Production.

Start winning with Helen O' Grady today.

Take a look at our website, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the info you may need and for weekly updates.

Youth Theatre: A stepping stone to University Drama

With the aim of developing confident, articulate communicators, Youth Theatre is our programme open to all secondary school students.

The programme does not only train students for the stage with theatre principles but also consists of components that prepares them for film and radio as well. These skills include voice production, advanced improv, script development, character analysis and production techniques. The programme is not only appealing to those who wish to pursue a career in acting but is invaluable to those who look to develop their public speaking abilities and those who wish to improve their confidence in effective communication.

A trend that runs from the Primary Classes through to Youth Theatre is that all classes have a fun atmosphere led by enthusiastic teachers.

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.

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

Like us on Facebook

And follow us on Twitter

You don't want to miss out!

Top Theatre in the Winelands

Helen O'Grady has cemented it's place in the heart of the Winelands with classes in Paarl, Somerset West, Wellington and Stellenbosch.

The Stellenbosch classes happen at the Klein Libertas Theatre where students are treated to a real theatre environment. With their teacher, Lize Goosen, students are exposed to lessons in speech, movement, improv and working with a script. The curriculum is standard around the world and practised at every Helen O' Grady Academy class.

Last week the class enjoyed an improv which sees last minute shoppers interact with supermarket workers keen to get their work done for the day. The result could be disastrous and full of humour.

Mime, ad lib, character depth and many other skills were taught
while teaching Late Night Shopping.

Classes take place at the Klein Libertas Theatre every Monday

Primary Composite class: 16:00 – 17:00

Youth Theatre class: 17:00-18:00

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

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

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And follow us on Twitter

Helen O Grady reaching beyond the Cape Curtain

Helen O Grady Drama Academy has built a name that reaches beyond borders all around the world. This allows our teachers to be trained up to present the Helen O Grady curriculum in various areas and communities.

We are especially happy to take this excellent curriculum to students who would normally have to travel great distances to be exposed the level of teaching and material as presented by Helen O Grady. One such area is Wellington outside of Cape Town. A wonderful community full of talent, a hidden treasure of the fair Cape. The Wellington Studio is hosted at the Wellington Preparatory School and is open to students from all over the area. There are classes for Lower as well as Upper Primary students.

Wellington students perform a Mime To Music as well as Impromtu Telephone Conversations. Both these activities are hugely popular amongst the students.

The Wellington Studio is hosted at the Wellington Prep school.

There is a Lower Primary and Upper Primary class.

For more information visit our website and our Facebook page.

SO MUCH IN STORE

Like a magician with an endless array of tricks in his hat, a bag full of surprises, a gift with no end, such is the level of surprises in store for the students of Helen O Grady Drama Academy.

The international curriculum builds in students creative thinking and literacy skills while also teaching children positive social skills including effective team interaction, leadership, confidence and public speaking. And all of this, packaged in a fun, interactive and energetic class.

Children can be part of the Helen O Grady family from as young as 3 years old, they form part of the Kindy programme specially designed to give the young ones the confidence and platform they need to express their creativity. Through story telling, dramatic play, language development and song preschoolers are taught to listen, share, follow instruction and vocalise emotions.

The Lower and Upper Primary groups fill up first. The curriculum is structured in a way that meets the needs specific to the age group and needs of the children. With lessons in speech, movement, mime and improvisation students are treated to the highest level of dramatic education. Within a year, they walk away with the tools and equipping to not only perform on multiple stages but also the confidence and skills needed in the world they find themselves.

Students at the Paarl Primary Composite class enjoy an
interactive, high energy lesson in improvisation.

For the older students our Helen O Grady Youth Theatre offers classes that are on the same level as first year University drama classes. Nurturing talent and refining skills of students who have grown with the Academy from a young age as well as new students with a keen interest in the world of drama.

No matter the age, there is something unique and extraordinary for each child.

If your child is between the ages of 3 and 18 find a studio near you. Trial lessons are free.

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.

In the mean time, go over to Helen O Grady's website for more information.

Like us on Facebook

And follow us on Twitter: @HOG_CT_North

Be sure not to miss out.

There's a reason we're the first choice for schools world wide.