Upper Primary classes starting rehearsals for their End of Term Parent Day!

All our upper primary classes(9-12 yrs) are excited about putting on a presentation for their parents at the end of this term. They are working on various components of our fantastic curriculum which includes
 " Verbal Dynamics" , an ensemble piece of speech work -which demonstrates the numerous techniques used in voice training! We teach the kids that effective delivery of speech is not only verbal but also physical and involves not only facial expressions but the whole body!!
Here is our Kempton Park Upper Primary class in full swing and moving in harmony as they all react  in anticipation ! A truly talented class taught by our wonderful teacher Venetia Herbst.The classes are held on Saturdays at KATS AT 25, Kempton Rd, Kempton Park.

Welcome to Hawaii! First dress up for our Lower Primary Classes in Term 2

As Term 2 gets under way, our  lower Primary classes had great fun dressing  up as tourists or Hawiian inhabitants for their improvisation " Hawiian Holiday". Each week the lesson includes an  improvisation which  helps to improve self confidence,communication and social skills. Our Sandton Lower primary class held at The Field and Study Centre went all out and we had some fabulous Hawiian dancers!

We like to add an element of surprise  to our improvisations - these are the kids  recovering after a mild earthquake !!

Lower Primary classes going fishing!

Our Lower primary classes (age 5-8) love dressing up and using props in their lessons. Each week we have a different theme and the use of props prepares them for their end of year productions. Fun was had  by all in their improvisation "The Fishing Trip". Many brought  home made fishing rods and even plastic or paper fish to complete the picture. The impovisations are designed to improve self confidence and communication skills  by encouraging  verbal and physical interaction.



Sandton Lower Primary



Kempton Park Lower Primary

1st Dress up days for 2013

Both our Lower and Upper Primary classes had "dress up" days to help get into character for their improvisations. The Lower Primary classes (age 5- 8yrs) dressed up as Pirates for their play "The Pirate Ship" . Lots of OOHs! and AAHS ! and  a  mean Pirate captain kept the kids entertained and they had loads of fun. The techniques used  in our improvisations help develop self confidence by encouraging adlibbing, social interaction and vocal training.



Kempton Park Lower Primary



Our Upper primary class had an opportunity to dress up as tourists from all over the world  in the

improvisation "Hotel Lobby". They were able to practice international accents including Indian,German, French and  American amongst many!



Kensington Upper Primary Class



Helen O'Grady students tour with UK Production company!

Helen O’Grady students perform with UK company Blue Sky Productions in their South African Tour of ‘And Then They Came For Me - Remembering the World of Anne Frank.


This acclaimed play is a moving and powerful work that combines live performances with filmed interviews by holocaust survivors. It tells the story of Anne Frank and her step-sister Eva Schloss. This memorable work, which has been performed all over the world, aims to continue the fight against racial hatred.
Check Eva Schloss's website
http://www.evaschloss.com/andthentheycameforme.htm

Ratanang Mogoatsi- 18yrs,(Anne Frank)Shaylin Singh 18yrs (Heinz- Anne's brother plus 2 other roles)and Imran Goga 21years(Ed- lead role) performed in PE, Cape Town and Johannesburg to dignitaries, politicians and VIPs .Their final performance took place at Constitutional Hill in Johannesburg.

What was even more amazing was Eva Schloss,herself was present at all the performances and she was truly moved by their powerful portrayals of her family. They have had some amazing reviews.
We are very proud of them!

Our Sandton adult class steal the show!

On Saturday 1st December our Sandton adult class ( at The Field and Study Centre) performed "Cinderella in Africa" to an audience of 200 people. They had the audience in stitches with cheeky innuendos, lots of audience participation, singing along with the cast and a grand finale which ended up with a custard pie on one of the Ugly sisters faces!
It is truly amazing how the drama programme helps adults to gain confidence and bring them out of their comfort zone. Most of the adult class have full time jobs ranging from a stock broker to an engineer with little or no experience of the performing arts. The majority of the class have only been attending since May 2012 and the standard  of their performance was truly incredible! We did have the odd xdrama student involved as well as Helen O'Grady teachers but the lead roles were played by our enrolled adults. Our guest appearance by Tim Hulse (Baroness Hardup), principal of Helen O'Grady Drama Academy Johannesburg South was a real treat as Tim was a professional actor in the UK before coming to South Africa!

Check out the photos with the production sound track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nk0zUmjDEfY&feature=g-crec-u

Well done to all the cast and we look forward to seeing you next year !

Productions Sat 1st Dec 3.30-5.30pm show

Photos from our Farramere Upper Primary and Kempton Park studios.Great performances from all the classes.