REHEARSALS WELL UNDERWAY

All around the country, rehearsals are well under way for the end of year shows at the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy. Children in all age groups are learning lines and moves and songs and dances and generally having a great time!

Things start off slowly in Lower Primary. In Leicestershire, these children are starting by learning lines.

Children learn lines and moves for "The Snake Charmer"

In Glasgow, children are trying their costumes for the first time.

 

 

The Sultan, his daughter and her handmaidens are ready to go!

Upper Primary children in Leicestershire are working on 'The Cleanest Town In Texas' and their play opens with a very bored cast waiting for something to happen!

"There's nothing to do in Abilene ............."

Unlike 'The Bold Buccaneers' in Glasgow who are having all sorts of exciting adventures on their pirate ship, including rescuing three Royal Navy sailors from their raft!

"Land ahoy!"

"Sailors from Her Majesty's Navy, reporting for duty."

Other classes in Leicestershire are working on 'Rent A Crowd' - and taking their characterisation skills very seriously!

"Rent, rent, rent, rent ...............

Meanwhile in Upper Primary classes in Perth, strange things are happening at the end of year 'Scarathon'. Could it be anything to do with the curse of Jack Cooper?

"I'm glad I brought my teddy to comfort me ............."

"Imagine That! - the curse of Jack Cooper! Just a story?"

Finished productions are being presented from next week onwards and children, parents and teachers are very excited!

Visit www.helenogrady.co.uk for details of classes near you. It may be too late to be in the cast this year, but you could still go along and see the performances and join in the fun from September.

END OF TERM AT THE ACADEMY

With the end of term already here, in some areas, the children in our classes have been showing off their new skills in their parent day presentations. The circus play was a popular theme for these shows this term!

Very colourful outfits for parent days!

The children love their classes and parents love the results! Principals received excellent feedback. Our Norwich Principal received the following in an email:

"We would like to thank you so much for all you have done for Max over the past couple of years. I have to tell you about his school Christmas play! Max only had a couple of solo lines but he didn't just say the punchline; he delivered it; he ACTED it. 

Max completely took to you and your methods of teaching and we believe what he has learnt from you has helped in so many ways. I know he will carry many pleasant memories and experiences forward with him, not least the desire to perform. With the confidence he now has, getting up in front of a crowd is something he will never struggle with again. Thanks for everything!"

HELEN O'GRADY IN THE SNOW!

Like many others around the country, Leicester Principal, Beth Daniel, has been unable to run all her classes this week because of the heavy snow. Above is the view from her office window and below the fields nearby.

South London have a particularly bad few days with many classes cancelled.Croydon Principal, Ian Brown, dressed for the weather, did find some time to play in the snow.

MORE NATIONAL TALKING DAY! PICTURES

All over the country Principals have been raising money for Children In Need. Many branches of the Academy invited parents into class to join in their childrens' lesson. Lots of them were encouraged to wear something spotty. In Leicestershire, Rebekah Davidson (above) single handedly (well with just a little help from her dad!) raised £260. Well done to her!

The talking - and certainly the fundraising - continues. The academy will be collecting spare change for Pudsey right through this term. You can get involved by visiting our website - http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/ - or send a donation to the address on this blog.

Keeeeep talking!

NATIONAL TALKING GETS UNDERWAY!

In drama classes all over the country, children are talking and raising money for BBC Children In Need.

TRAINING NEW PRINCIPALS

The end of July sees the latest training week in Bristol for Helen O'Grady Principals who will be commencing operating in September. Above, National Director, Nigel Le Page, Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec and Training Manager, Margaret Darley, prepare for the week ahead.

Training includes a lot of Principal participation, whether it be with the admin. systems (above) or with the Mimes to Music. Margaret demonstrates a vital administration point and, below, new Principals (L to R), Phil Jankovskis (Staffordshire), Natasha Kedrova (Kiev) and Beth Daniel (North Leics) act out The Eskimos mime. It's hard work!

So everyone needs to relax afterwards. Natasha is seen below with Barbara and Malcolm Ryder (St. Helens/Warrington) at the post training dinner. Barbara is demonstrating her traditional 'fluffy pen' award!

Later, the visitors to Bristol have to experience the local nightlife. Nigel, Beth and Margaret fought through the crowds to see a local jazz band.

Training week over, the new Principals return home to start planning for an amazing launch in September. All at Head Office thank them for making the week great fun and wish them all the luck in the world!