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.

Speak up!

Being afraid of public speaking is a fear acknowledged by so many adults. It’s no surprise then that children are afraid of it too.

Rather than having these children grow into adults holding onto that fear, drama gives them the opportunity to develop their speech and gain confidence in speaking publicly.

The speech activities in the Helen O’ Grady Drama Academy is a great, if not the best way to develop your child’s speech and build their confidence.

For 20 years we’ve seen amazing results. And not only that, it’s sooooo much fun!

From Articulation to Projection to Resonance and Expression, our students are exposed to and experience a wide range of exercises that prepare them for whatever task school, tertiary and adulthood brings.

Drama Drama Everywhere

The best part about being with Helen O' Grady is our local, national and international footprint.
Everywhere you go, you'll find us at a studio or school.
Should a family have to move during a term, its so easy for that student to continue their drama lessons and their learning development at another studio with a teacher with the qualifications, training and enthusiasm as previously.

But don't take our word for it...Take a look at the links below:

http://dramaafrica.com/
http://www.helenogrady.com.au/
http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/
http://www.helenogrady.co.in/website/
http://helenogradyasia.blogspot.co.za/   

and that's not even the half of it!

We hope that if you're with us already you'll chat to us and let us know if there's anything more we can do for your child. We're gearing up for a new, exciting season so if you're not with us yet... Get in on the ACTion!

Dreams begin at Kindy class

Helen O' Grady and their teachers strive to inspire students to dream. And dreaming is not age restricted. Dreaming starts right now!


Last week the Kenridge Kindy princesses ended off the second theme for this term: Night and Day. They got to do this with sleepover themed lesson. Not that any sleeping happened!

The girls practiced their speech, did their movement exercises and discussed what they'd learnt thus far during the Night and Day theme. They then ended off the lesson with The Pillow Fight improv.

The Kindy class is a great platform for young students to learn the basics of speech and drama in a high energy, interactive and informal way. They are also exposed to other students and learn to listen not only to instructions but the stories of their classmates.

Call the office or visit our website to find out more about the Kindy class.
We're waiting to meet you and your little one.

Drama makes learning fun!

Term 3 is in full swing and as always, students can look forward to surprises and new activities in the curriculum. While the curriculum stays true to Helen O' Grady principles there's always a little bit of something that our students can get excited about as well as know that the activities they know and love remain part of the lesson as well.

Old and new faces filled the classes these last two weeks as holiday dust is shaken off and drama voices and bodies are stretched and flexed. 

Last week the De Tyger Upper Primary group had fun with scripts. This, of course, after being taken through new elements of speech with a hint of familiarity.

Students showed the extent of their creativity as their scripts included a waste paper basket as a character. 
Loads of fun and learning!

If you would like to be part of the action get in touch with us.
Call the office or send a mail to mari@helenogrady.co.za
In the meantime, take a look at our Facebook page for more.

Thank you Term II...Here we come Term III

We’ve enjoyed a great, eventful term. 10 weeks of hard work, lots of fun and loads of drama.

Term two is largely focused on the Parent Day which is held at the end of the term where students showcase the skills they’ve been taught during their drama lessons.

This term we had parents express their joy at seeing the progress made by their children.

We would like to take some time to thank all of our parents who were able to attend our parent days. Thank you for your continued support and your kind words.

We look forward to spending more time with your children nurturing their talent and refining their skills.

We hope you all enjoy the break and we will see you next term!

Happy holidays

Build your confidence with Helen O' Grady

We've often heard and seen the expression: Outside your comfort zone is where the magic happens. Here at Helen O' Grady Drama Academy we couldn't agree more. And that is why our drama programme is key in the development of students' Creativity, Communication and building their Confidence.

Today we'd like to put a spotlight on the development of CONFIDENCE.

How does drama contribute to building the confidence of our students?

While students focus on reading, writing and calculating during the school day, they are encouraged and taught to speak and communicate with ease and expression during drama lessons. They are taken out of their comfortable spaces and taught to interact with others working towards the same goals and sharing and building ideas together. During drama they are also practising responding to daunting challenges and asked to present resolutions. These are but a few instances where drama allows students to exercise and build confidence in individual and group settings.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.