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.

SPORTS DAY IN KINDY CLASSES

Children in Kindy classes are already learning about using their big mouths and exercising them as they speak. Some fabulous mouths in this class in East Harptree.
 

 And, as part of their current topic of 'Sports' the children had a chance to try their hand at the egg and spoon race. Look at the concentration on their faces!

Kindy classes are held in many locations around the UK. For more information visit: 

www.helenogrady-kindydrama.co.uk

MORE NEWS FROM THE MANCHESTER SEMINAR

Here are more pictures from the Production Seminar in Manchester at the weekend.

Principals chanting wildly during the rehearsal of Rent A Crowd

More of the right moves from Principals and teachers

Principals taking notes while 'Snake Charmer' is being taught

Imagine That!

As usual, Grady Bear was awarded to a Principal at the end of the Seminar. National Director, Nigel Le Page (below) was happy to award it to York Franchisee, Lindsay Goakes. As well as participating in most of the workshops during the day, Lindsay led one of the Youth Theatre workshops in the afternoon. Nigel praised her preparation, commitment and energy which, he said, was amazing! Grady will spend Production term with Lindsay, her family and her students and return to the next Seminar with a scrap book full of stories and pictures of his adventures. Well done Lindsay!

Grady Bear goes to a new home for the term!

The Helen O'Grady network at the end of a busy day.

PRODUCTION SEMINAR IN MANCHESTER

The summer term is production term in Helen O'Grady classes and this weekend a Training Seminar was hosted, by the management team, in Manchester, to explore the plays and to workshop as many as possible. Proceedings were kicked off by Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec, working on speech, movement and body language to help develop excellent characters. Principals and their teachers became pirates, cowboys, guests at a wedding and knights of the realm among other things, just to interact with each other.

Alison, tambourine at the ready, about to start the workshops.

This year, several Principals from around the country were also asked to lead workshops and the assembled gathering were more than happy to join in.

Edinburgh Principal, Glyn Owen, was happy to deliver his lines with lots of attitude!

Bolton Principal, Karen Ryder, had every reason to smile!

As well as participating, Karen Ryder, above, wrote the Upper Primary play "Imagine That!" and was delighted to see the play finally come to life. Cheshire Principal, Brian Ormrod, and Training Supervisor, Susannah Gill also wrote new works for this cycle and they too were pleased with the results.

 

Everyone went home very excited about the coming term. When teachers can have such a great time presenting the plays, it is easy for them then to inspire the children in their classes. It gives children everywhere the opportunity to be part of something positive and successful. Every child is a star and each will have their moments of glory on stage - whilst also having lots of fun!

For details of classes near you, go to www.helenogrady.co.uk 

AWARD FOR THIRTEEN YEARS ATTENDANCE

Micheal Barnes was recently awarded the RSC's Complete Works of Shakespeare for 13 wonderful years attendance at the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in North London.

North London Principal, Nicola Gossip, congratulates Michael on his achievement.

Michael, who attends the Stoke Newington group, joined the class as a six year old. He had this to say:

"I've been attending Helen O'Grady Drama Academy for 13 years! I've spent so much time with the people there, they've become like family to me. To celebrate the many years and being the longest running member, Nicola and Andrew awarded me the RSC'S Complete Works of Shakespeare. It was a delightful surprise that I will cherish always. Thank you both sooo much!"

Congratulations Michael, and good luck with the Productions next term!

TWO SOUPS FOR COMIC RELIEF

Oldham Principal, Wendy Orrell sent this video of one of the students in her Hebden Bridge studio doing his bit for Comic Relief last week. Wendy says: "Rohan is is absolutely bent on an acting career and does this sort of thing regularly, roping his mum and dad in! It is, apparently, not unusual for their living room to be full of a 'set' of some kind which dad has made. Rohan then enacts his favourite scenes."

What a delight to have someone so creative in class! And congratulations on the fundraising Rohan!

And here is the original.

OLD MACDONALD HAD A FARM!

Children In Kindy Drama classes have 'The Farm' as one of their themes this term. While learning the 'Old MacDonald' song, they used masks to represent the farmer and the animals they became.

 

 

 

 

On Old MacDonald's Farm

Grady Banana has also made an appearance this term. He is, of course, related to Grady Bear, who is often featured on this blog. Each week he goes home with a child who has made a particular effort during the class and returns the next week with his adventures recorded in his scrap book. This very worthy winner has promised to take great care of him.

Grady Banana off on another adventure.

So far, this term, Grady has built snowmen, baked cakes, had a ride on a hamster and been swimming at least twice! He has had lots of yummy food and some very exciting bedtime stories. Check back next week to see what happens this time.