REHEARSALS IN ROCHDALE

Year 3 children work hard for 'Pirate Joe'

Rehearsals for year end productions are happening all around the country and the children in Alice Ingham RC Primary School in Rochdale are well on their way to two great shows! Oldham Principal, Wendy Orrell, teaches a Year 3 and Year 4 class in the school each week. As well as the children acting their hearts out, their teachers and assistants are a big part of the drama process. One teaching assistant was desperate to play the part of Charlie in 'Circus Capers'.

Year 4 children warm up their acts in 'Circus Capers'

Because the children are so far ahead with their rehearsals, they are already singing the songs with gusto. Watch this space to see Year 4 students belting out the final number for 'Circus Capers'

KINDY DRAMA IN BERMUDA

Training Manager, Margaret Darley, this month visited Chatterbox preschool in Southampton, Bermuda, to carry out some Kindy Drama training and launch the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy on the island.





After two full days of training, the teachers were happy to introduce the lessons into the preschool, using the techniques they had learned and practised. The children were very excited to be at a 'cricket practise' and to have fun at a 'sleepover'.




The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy has a wonderful future in Bermuda and maybe in other parts of the Caribbean and we are very proud of everyone taking part.

THE DAY THAT CHANGED SARAH CURRIE'S LIFE!

A few weeks ago, South Wales Principal, Becky Goodfield, was chatting with a mum who was thrilled about her daughter's progress in drama classes. Becky suggested she write something for their local newsletter and the following is the piece she sent:

"The Day That Changed My Life!

In October 2006, having just started school and looking forward to the first holiday, something happened....... a lady came to the school to talk about the things I could do with the Helen O’Grady Academy; her name was Becky. Being painfully shy I just listened to what she said, but I then told my mummy as soon as I got home. She was sure I would never enjoy Drama and I would not even last through one lesson! I persisted and got her to take me to the last lesson before the October half term break. I loved it. I nagged her all through half term and have been a member of the group meeting in Radyr ever since. I even got my younger sister (Rachel) to join and she loves Drama too. We are both looking forward to the performances in July when for the first time we will be in different productions.
Thank you Becky – you have to take the credit (or blame) for my continued attendance in the Radyr classes. Also my thanks go to my teachers Emma, Kate and Zoe.

Sarah Currie (9 years)

PS My mummy would like to add her thanks to you at the Academy as she has seen me grow in confidence over the years."

Parents are echoing these sentiments around the country and, indeed, around the world. We, at Head Office, wish Sarah the best of luck with the end of year productions along with the thousands of other children who will be performing for their friends and family in July.

THE ADVENTURES OF IGOR THE ORANGUTAN

Principal in North Leicestershire, Beth Daniel, told us the story of Igor the orangutan, the treasured pet of one of her students, Gene. Gene left his pet behind after class so Beth took him home and put him to work! Here he is preparing to send some very important emails.

In North Leics., Grady Giraffe and a Grady Monkey often visit class and spend weekends away with students. Igor had a great time with them while he was in the office. Here they are, resting after a hard day.
After all the excitement, we are sure Igor was very glad to go home and be reunited with Gene, especially as he is now sporting a very smart Helen O'Grady T-shirt!

FURTHER ADVENTURES OF GRADY BEAR

Grady is certainly having a good time in Bromley with Academy Principal, Helen Walls. Helen was lucky enough to be in the audience at a recording of The Graham Norton Show on the BBC and there she had the opportunity to introduce Grady Bear to actress and singer, Jennifer Hudson. The Bear was very cool and didn't appear at all star struck! Whatever next? - Watch this space!

HELEN O'GRADY PRODUCTIONS 2011

Term 3 in the Academy is Production term and the preceding training Seminar is always a lot of fun, as Principals workshop the plays they will be presenting with their classes. Over 100 Principals and teachers from around the country met in Manchester before Easter to experience new plays and workshop updates to the more familiar.

"Bring me the Nightingale....."

"Pirate Joe, as mean as can be.....

Feared by everyone including me......"

"That stupid Rocco jumped too soon, and made me burst my red balloon...."

The above were during excerpts from 'The Emperor & The Nightingale', 'Pirate Joe' and 'Circus Capers'. Other plays for the Primary classes are 'The Old Woman In The Shoe', 'Pied Piper', 'School For Superheroes' and 'A Trip In Time'.

Youth Theatre have their own productions: 'A Score To Settle', 'The Triumph of Trevor Truelove' and 'Murder At Mornington Manor'.

All classes around the country will produce one of these plays in a showcase at the end of term. It is a very exciting time for all concerned.

GRADY BEAR ON THE MOVE

Grady Bear was first awarded at the Academy Training Seminar in July 2010. Each term, he is placed in the safe keeping of a Principal who shows themselves worthy and responsible! The Principal then has to document the Bear's visit to their area and return him to the next Seminar with his 'diary'.

Fresh from adventures in South London, where our hero had a close encounter with a cat and ate a lot of pizza, he is now temporarily residing in Bromley with Principal, Helen Walls, who has promised to make sure he has a good time and comes to no harm. Photographic evidence is, of course, required!

The award followed a very successful - if exhausting - training day. More picture stories will follow in due course.