West Coast Lovin'

Dis lekker by die see!

Well, that’s the perfect Afrikaans expression to describe the sea side suburb of Melkbosstrand. And in true South African fashion, it is indeed LEKKER!

The “Lekker” went up by a large margin in 2013 when Helen O’ Grady Drama Academy made its way to the shores of Melkbosstrand.

Every Thursday afternoon students take a break from beach walks, body boarding and kite surfing, put down the bucket, spade and Frisbee and enter into a world of imagination and creativity.

The Koeberg Library hall comes alive with adlibbing, speech, improv and movement with Helen O’ Grady Drama Academy West Coast.

Our Lower Primary students showing s how much fun they are!

Now that winter’s here why not warm up with our world-class drama curriculum.

Contact our principal, Nastassja Potgieter by sending an e-mail to nastassja@helenogrady.co.za.

That’s Melkbosstrand studio every Thursday afternoon at the Koeberg Library Hall:

Lower Primary at 15:00

Upper Primary at 16:00

Youth Theatre at 17:00

Just Add Ad-lib!

Adlibbing is a skill central to the Helen O’ Grady curriculum.

We teach our students the art of adlibbing - which is making up sentences or lines on the spot as they go. Mastering this skill brings about new levels of creativity as students have the opportunity to think fast.

Here is a video of our Lower Primary students at our Melkbosstrand studio, showing off their wonderful adlibbing skills in their introductory activities.

Practising this skill also builds confidence and self-belief as they deliver their presentations naturally.

Each lesson begins with introductory activities that see students take on various characters in an array of situations testing and practising this vital skill.

Adlib skills are also incorporated into our Whole Class Improvs where students once again put to practise this art that has made the difference for so many international performers. During this activity students combine learning lines and scripts with the impromptu inserts of ad lib.

Adlibbing is taught from the Kindy level and sustained throughout the age groups including Lower and Upper Primary as well and Youth Theatre.

Students at Atlantic Beach College really getting into their Introductory Activities, using those all important adlibbing skills!

20 Years on...

They say time flies when you’re having fun. That must be the case for the more than 3 000 students attending classes at Helen O’ Grady Drama Academy in Cape Town.

20 years on and still going strong!

20 years ago the world renowned curriculum was shared for the first time on our soil and children and adults alike fell in love with the programme that taught them Creativity, Communication and Confidence.

Helen O’ Grady believes in bringing children the tools they need to be the best they can be and that’s what the programme has done across the world for more than 35 years.

How wonderful that we can share the same programme, those vital tools with children right here in Cape Town.

If you would like to celebrate with us and be part of the action get in touch.

We are at the following schools;

Elkanah House Blouberg Preparatory

Elkanah House Sunningdale Preparatory

Atlantic Beach College

Riebeek Kasteel Primary School

And have private studios in the following areas;

Atlantis

Edgemead

Malmesbury

Milnerton

Melkbosstrand

Sunningdale

We can’t wait to meet you!

 

For more information contact the office on 021 5534458, email nastassja@helenogrady.co.za or visit our website www.dramaafrica.com

SPEAK UP AND SPEAK WELL

Last week we shared some of the features and benefits of the Helen O’ Grady school programme. The benefits are truly endless and reach throughout the students’ career and life.

One of those benefits stems from one of our core pillars: Communication.

Being part of a drama class at school gives students a head start and firm foundation in communication skills.

Students demonstrating one such exercise where effective communication is taught and encouraged.

In class the focus is on learning to read and write. These are fundamental skills indeed. But little interest is shown or lesser focus is given to how clearly and how confidently the student speaks.

As adults we know how vital oral communication and verbal signals are in our every day lives. Whether it be in our professional capacities, community activities and even in the home.

Could you think of ONE profession where no one cared about your communication skills or how you spoke to others? We couldn’t either!

A generous portion of our curriculum focuses specifically on speech: articulation, resonance, projection, diction, volume control etc. However, the curriculum overall encourages clear and confident communication in small group settings, with the teacher as well as to an audience. 

Speech is an intergral and important part of our programme which is taught in a fun, stimulating way!

ACCLAIMED DRAMA PROGRAMME NOW AT ELKANAH BLOUBERG PREPARATORY

The best way to start the weekend is with a good dose of drama.

And that’s exactly what the Elkanah House Blouberg Preparatory students have chosen. This term saw Helen O’ Grady bring drama to the young school.

It’s only been a few weeks and already the impact is a far reaching positive one.

One parent shared with our principal saying “My daughter really loved her first class and came home so excited and full of enthusiasm… I wanted to pass on my thanks to the teacher for instilling such joy and passion for the arts!”

And she isn’t the only one!

All the students are exposed to a drama programme that uses fun, excitement and enjoyment to develop their confidence, communication and creativity.

Some of our students from Elkanah Preparatory in dramatic play

  

Every activity instils in our students tools they need not only for the stage but also tools for the classroom and the world. Lower Primary students get to participate in activities that teach them how to interact with others, think on their feet and express themselves in interesting ways.

If you are at Elkanah House (Blouberg or Sunningdale campus) and would like to get in on the ACTion contact our principal, Nastassja on nastassja@helenogrady.co.za

Book your spot in this exciting class TODAY!

Parents Day Term 2 2016

A Full Family Affair

One of the things we most look forward to during Term II is our Parent Day.

At our Parent Day lesson family and friends are invited to a lesson where students present some of the skills they’ve learnt in class.

It isn’t a polished performance; it is a presentation of curriculum in a performance-like setting.

It’s such a treat! Parents, friends and families have for years shared how much they’ve enjoyed this unique opportunity to be part of the Helen O’ Grady experience.

It is also a time for students to gain performance experience, move past the nerves and embrace their time on stage. They leave with a sense of achievement and knowing they’ve delivered and complete a massive milestone in their on stage and overall development.

Ask your teacher or see you Term II letters for additional information on this year’s Parent Days. Speak to you teacher if you have any questions. Whatever you do, don’t miss this one!

Studio	Parent Day
Atlantis Studio	11th June
Edgemead Studio	8th June
Malmesbury	10th June
Melkbosstrand Studio	9th June
Milnerton Studio	6th June
Sunningdale Studio	7th June
Elkanah House Sunningdale Preparatory	1st June
Elkanah House Blouberg Preparatory	3rd June

TERM 2 HAS ARRIVED!

And just like that, TERM II is here.

And what a bundle of excitement this term is. For the next 9 to 10 weeks our students will go on a development journey of dramatic proportions. They will be introduced to new activities, re-visit tried and tested techniques and also prepare for our Parent Day at the end of the term.

That’s right, the end of the term brings an opportunity for you as parents, friends and family to visit our class and be treated to a showcase of Helen O’ Grady drama. Keep your eyes on this page as well as our Facebook page and ask your teacher more.

But the bundle of excitement doesn’t stop there. We are excited to share some more good news:

Helen O’ Grady is now at Elkanah House Blouberg Preparatory! Our world renowned curriculum will now be shared and presented as part of an after school programme at the school.

We hope you are all as excited as we are.

But that’s enough talk from our side for now. Let’s get in on the ACTion.

See you in class!