Free Drama Workshops For Local Schools

Yesterday I visited St Thomas' Catholic Primary School in Sevenoaks to deliver a taster of our developmental drama classes to its pupils.  I had a really great time; the staff and students at St Thomas's are always really friendly and welcoming.  They are also really receptive to our drama programme and very supportive of the classes we run there after school on Thursdays.  

Throughout the year, I visit a variety of local primary schools to provide free drama workshops lasting between 30 minutes and 1 hour.  Each class that I see participates in a sample lesson from our programme, which is designed to:

  * DEVELOP ONGOING CONFIDENCE  * BUILD SELF ESTEEM

  * BE EMPOWERED VERBALLY  * ENCOURAGE ATTENTIVE LISTENING   

  * MAKE NEW FRIENDS  * GROW CREATIVELY  * ACT IN PLAYS     * HAVE BAGS OF FUN!

These aims are achieved through a highly developed, original, drama programme. Each lesson is carefully planned. A typical lesson can include introductory activities, speech, verbal dynamics, creative movement, mimes to music, language development, structured improvisation, dialogue development, snippets, a play, scene starters and mini-scripts.  

During the time I spent at St Thomas's yesterday, with a little imaginative thinking, some creative ideas and language we turned the school hall into a waxwork museum and a stadium for motorbike champions.   

I always encourage the teaching staff to watch and participate in the workshop with their class.  Teachers will often comment on how much they and their class have enjoyed the session.  It is sometimes an eye-opener for them to see how students who may be quiet in the setting of the classroom react differently and more confidently within the structure of the drama session.  

Next week I am visiting two Primary schools in Bickley and very much look forward to working with them.  

Helen

Helen Walls, 

Principal 

Dress up days cheer up a wet, stormy autumnal week...

This week our Primary aged drama students in Bromley, Gravesend and Sevenoaks have been dressing up at class.  It's been a lot of fun and has certainly cheered up what has been a rather wet and stormy week.  I think we've certainly said goodbye to the sun for the time being!

Our Lower Primary Classes (5 - 8 years) have been invited to come to class as 'grown ups' this week.  We've seen over-sized handbags, moustaches, walking sticks, blazers, flat caps and many other items that have been raided from a parent's wardrobe or two.  The play-acting that has ensued in class has been extremely entertaining for both my teaching staff and me.  The children were absorbed by their characters and relished in pretending to be like their parents.  

Our Upper Primary students (8 - 11 years) have enjoyed dressing up for a play called, "I've Been Robbed".  Set in a cabaret-style nightclub, characters have included the waiting staff, the manager, the resident band and the club's clientele.  The students have been really creative with their props and costumes.  Feather boa's have been wafted, trays have been offered and we even saw a variety of instruments being played at our class in Hayes on Tuesday.  

So, why do we do these ‘dress up days’?  Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec of the Academy in Bristol said this week, "Well, you know yourself you feel different if you are dressed up for a special occasion, right? Children are the same. If they are using or wearing a simple prop, they can easily become a different character and then learn about what it's like to be in their situation by talking to each other. In fact, some children become more confident as someone else and if we encourage them to speak to each other and us, we can explore their communicative skills and build their confidence."



It's been a wonderful week of fun at class and such a pleasure to see our students grow and develop their skills.   

I thoroughly look forward to the next dress up days in a few weeks time.  

Helen

Helen Walls, 

Principal

Helen O'Grady Drama Academy Bromley, Gravesend & Sevenoaks.