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!

It's Showtime!

Every year the Helen O’ Grady productions take the shape of interesting, quirky stories with fun plots, unexpected plot twists and delightful characters. 

This year will be no different.

The Lower Primary classes take to the stage with their rendition of The Grasshopper and the Ants. The story follows a lazy Grasshopper who just wants to play and can’t be bothered to help the ants collect food for the winter. He would like to share with them though and has to use all his powers of persuasion to convince them he deserves their charity!

The Upper Primary group will provide a laugh-a-minute show as they present Fancy That. The scene is set at Gloria Van De Bergen’s fancy dress ball – the party of the year! There are some fantastic costumes; everyone has made a huge effort – especially the ‘revolting Robinsons’ from down the street who, apparently, have gate crashed the party dressed as aliens. But it all ends in tears…. Or does it…

The Youth Theatre students have their work cut out as the Durbanville and Kuils River group perform The Legend of Tim Sandy. The audience is taken on a journey starting at the beach where the Muscle Mob arrive to throw their weight about. Tim Sandy loses his girlfriend Dolores as he feels he is not worthy of her. Will Tim win Dolores back or has someone else already set his eyes on her… 

Meanwhile, the Bellville and Paarl groups will perform The Unmasking of Macbeth. The three witches promise Macbeth that he'll be King of Scotland and be invincible. Spurred on by his power-hungry wife, Lady Macbeth, he ruthlessly kills all those around him who might end up taking away his claim to the title. But the journey is filled with strife. This version of Shakespeare's Macbeth requires students to wear black costumes and white masks. Using masks allows students to play different parts in each scene.

The students are ready for the showpiece. Are you?!

Don't Miss Helen O' Grady 2017

They say time flies when you’re having fun but boy, where did 2016 go?! 

What a great year it was filled with highlights and memories and it isn’t over yet. But we do have to start thinking and planning ahead. 2017 is around the corner and we need to ensure all our current students are given an opportunity to sign up for drama next year. We don’t want you to miss out!

This week all our teachers will be giving re-enrolment forms to all of our students.

Attached is all the information you need for next year.

 

And of course, if you bring back your forms next week – you stand in line to win amazing prizes so be sure to bring back those form as sooooooooooon as possible.

If 2016 is anything to go by you definitely don’t want to miss out on 2017 where it all gets bigger and better. While staying in line with our globally renowned curriculum we bring our students more skills and techniques in the form of high energy lessons.