OVERWORKED TOUR GUIDES AND IDYLLIC ISLANDS IN CYPRUS!

In the UK, the summer term is production term for Helen O'Grady classes around the country. In Cyprus, because the school term finishes much earlier, and because the hot weather in June and July can make rehearsing uncomfortable, students in and around Nicosia have presented their end of year shows this week! Principal, Anna Pelekanos, directed the three plays including 'Jetlag Tours' (above) with Upper Primary and 'Paradesia' with the younger Lower Primary.

Anna said: "For some of these children, it was the first time they had performed in front of an audience and the atmosphere was electric! Parents were delighted with the results." Anna also directed her first Youth Theatre production, 'Slice Of Life' which gave her students the opportunity to develop some very interesting characters.

All lessons are taught in English and classes are held in several schools in the area. Visit our website http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/ for more information.

DRAMA CLASSES IN KIEV, UKRAINE

This month has seen the opening of the first Helen O'Grady Drama classes in Kiev. Training Manager, Margaret Darley, spent two days there with Principal, Elena Ischenko, and teacher, Maya Nickolayevna, helping teach the first classes. With Upper Primary aged children (9 to 12years), the programme will be taught mostly in English, using drama activities to help develop the students' command of the language. With the younger children (below), who have much less experience of English, specific words will be picked out of the exercises each week and reinforced during the lesson.

Margaret, pictured below (centre) with Elena (left) and Maya, said: "It was fascinating delivering the curriculum to children who do not have English as their first language. The skills we teach are, however, universal as all children respond to praise and encouragement, while having fun in a positive environment. Even the youngest child was able to leave the class understanding what a 'big chocoalte cake' is! I have no doubt classes in the Ukraine will be very successful."

NEW KINDY DRAMA NOW WIDELY AVAILABLE

Some time ago, the Academy piloted 'Kindy Drama' classes for pre-school children. These classes are now widely available around the country. Visit the website to find out if there is a class near you.

The acclaimed drama programme, which has changed the lives of thousands of children over the last sixteen years in the UK, has been adapted for the younger children. With the emphasis on self development the lessons include some basic speech exercises, lots of movement and some 'dramatic' content each week.

These children were taking part in a short play and imagining they were being moulded out of playdough. Their nursery teacher, who always stays to join in and observe the classes said: "This really captured their imagination. They concentrated so hard and could all tell us what shape they had made"

Using stories, rhymes and songs, classes encourage children to listen carefully, to take turns and share and gives them the confidence to speak out with clarity and conviction. Many will go on to join the primary programme when they start school.

These classes are carried out privately and in nurseries and pre-schools. Contact your local branch to find out what is available in your area.

NEW ADULT CLASSES!

In the last twelve months, The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy has extended the availability of its renowned self development through drama classes to adults of any age.

Already known for running an excellent programme for primary and secondary age children, the same principles are applied to the lessons delivered to adults.

Tayforth Principal, Barbara Brett, has been one of the first to offer classes to the whole age range. She has had a particularly good response to the adult classes. Barbara says:" No matter how confident we may feel in a small group, there are always occasions when we, as adults, are thrust outside our comfort zone. For some this can induce crippling nerves: others panic: many of us freeze in fright! This course addresses many of these problems and gives advice on breathing control, effective delivery, eye contact and confidence. Week by week, we examine the tricks of the trade to counter the qualms we all experience when asked to address an audience."

Classes do not teach acting skills, nor do they culminate in productions. They are designed to help adults in everyday situations which can cause concern and distress - from complaining effectively to offering advice.

To find out if these classes are available in your area, visit out website and check out the location of your nearest Helen O'Grady branch.