Sadly this branch of the Helen O'Grady drama Academy has closed down.
However the acclaimed drama classes are still ongoing in other centers around South Africa and the world.  Please see the website www.dramaafrica.com for more information.

WE ARE IN REHEARSAL MODE!

Great excitement in our classes at the moment as every child hears what play they will be in, what role they will be playing, how they will develop their character, and all the fabulous lines they will get to speak!

Our plays this year are:

Monday combined class will be doing "Storyland".  Seems some 'New Ideas' are required to keep our old stories fresh and exiting!

Tuesday Youth Theater go all Melodramatic as they perform "The Triumph of Trevor Truelove".

Friday Youth Theater class is making a statement with a performance of the wonderful, locally-written play, "Perspectives".

 

Our Brebner Grade 1 and 2's, along with St James studio's Lower Primary find out "How the Lion  got His Roar".

 

And Brebner Grade 3 - 7's, along with St James Upper Primary, have a miserable travel experience in "Jetlag Tours".

Our Production date this year is 17 November 2018 at the Scaena Theater at the University of the Freestate. 
See you there!

Year End Production Photos

Check out our wonderful year end play photos by Mudboots Photography!
https://client.mudboots.co.za/helenogradydramaacademy-1/

ANOTHER YEAR!!

I can't believe another amazing year of dramatic arts has passed.
Here are some photos from this year's productions.

All available photos are here:
https://client.mudboots.co.za/helenogradydramaacademy-1/

Contact me for Anneska's details to order these great photos.

Here are a few rehearsal shots.

Tuesday Youth class with "Le Jeu Espion"

Friday Youth class with "Blood On Their hands"

Some of Brebner's class with "Fancy That"

Two of our Friday Lower Primary boys from "Paradesia"

The Wednesday Combined class with "The Snake Charmer"

A few shots from our Year End Plays 2016

 Another year, another production day!

 "Lazy Lak" - Curro Primary

 "Tres Chic" - Heuwelkruin Combined class.

 Teachers and backstage staff having some fun with the props!

 Sonja and Elize....keeping eyes on things!

 Sonja and Yvonne at the trophy table.

Friday Youth Theater backstage.

Parent Day Presentations under way!

Heuwelkruin studio performing a cross-section of some of the work we do during the term, for their parents, family, and friends.

Put down the iPad,and come do Drama!!

Have just read a fascinating study on the effect the 'screen' age is having on children.

Screen time in young children is providing what psychologists are calling 'instant reward'. A reward without any effort or real learning. It prevents the development of perseverance, of initiative, and problem solving skills in the real world.

"If the neural pathways that control social and imaginative responses aren't developed in early childhood, it's difficult to revive them later. A whole generation could grow up without the mental ability to create their own fun, devise their own games and enjoy real friendships - all because of endless screen-time."

Drama classes are a fantastic and fun way to get children away from those screens for an hour, engaging with others, developing social skills, using their imaginations and communication skills!  Sign up today!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-3420064/Why-iPad-far-bigger-threat-children-realises-Ten-years-ago-psychologist-SUE-PALMER-predicted-toxic-effects-social-media-sees-worrying-new-danger.html#utm_sguid=140815,4a02520a-88a6-49b9-2c85-689686088668

Get ready for Term Two!

Term One is done and dusted! Ended with style - with our "Whacky Week".
Don't miss Term Two! Preparations for a Parent Day Presentation and a lot more fun to be had!

developing problem solving skills

Our programme's 'snippets' segment teaches children to use their imagination and to problem-solve.  Students love the opportunity to develop a scene from a few starter sentences, and resolve in a satisfactory way.

Some of the girls working out their scene with the help of one of our highly trained teachers

These boys are ready to add actions to their scene

It is important to get the dialogue perfectly worked out first.

This is what we are about!

A lesson learned with fun will never be forgotten

Welcome to our New Teacher!

Meet Yvonne who has started with us here in Bloemfontein this year. 

Yvonne is a graduate of the University of the Freestate, and was a Helen O'Grady student for eleven years - from Grade 2 to Matric! Here she is with our vibrant Friday Upper Primary class!

Term One. Improvisation and speech and dress-ups!

Term One is well under way. 

Improvisation - Scott and party on their way to the South Pole!

Oh the disappointment of finding someone had beaten them to it!

The Grade 1 - 3 classes love putting actions to spoken poems.