The first campaign launched by the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, National Drama Week with the theme: ‘Drama Takes Centre Stage’ is to bring to the fore the positive benefits drama offers children. It highlights the growing use of modern technology among children and teens and with it the lost art of communication, as social network sites and text messages become the preferred choice of communication. The launch is also timed to celebrate Helen O’Grady International 30 years of drama!
Key Highlights
• With modern day technology, recent research1 reveals that children between 5 and 16 years can spend up to 5 hours a day on social network sites, computer games or watching television. Experts believe this has an adverse effect on children’s communication and social interaction skills.
• Drama develops children’s self-confidence, self-esteem, communication skills, speech, articulation and social interaction skills. It also develops imagination, empathy, positive thinking, concentration, memory and problem solving. Drama develops personal growth.
• Everyone, especially children and teens, can benefit from drama, as it develops life skills.
Quotes
Jilly Cooper, renowned author, enthused about this event in a recent letter. She said “This is an absolutely wonderful project…..I think it gives children enormous confidence if they take part in plays and often rather shy children turn out to be the most amazing actors and find a voice for themselves”. She speaks of her own love of drama and goes on to say “…by performing plays and watching drama, literature becomes so much more alive. I’m terribly keen on drama and anything that encourages love of the arts”.
HRH Princess Royal said that she “congratulates Helen O’Grady Drama Academy on their work and sends her best wishes for the continued success of this important work.”
Special Invitation
Helen O’Grady Drama Academy is offering free introductory trial sessions during National Drama week at its 400 studios across the UK. Helen O’Grady Drama Academy has 23 classes across Bromley & West Kent and is offering free trial sessions at all classes only in National Drama week. To book your free trial session please contact Helen Walls, Principal, on 01689 812336 or email bromley@helenogrady.co.uk .
(1) The Bercow review can be found on: www.dfcs.gov.uk/slnaction
