Happy Birthday Helen O'Grady

Today is an exciting day for our Academy-it's THE Helen O'Grady's Birthday :) In the 1970s this awesome woman started developing a drama method that aimed to develop children's confidence and skills in verbal communications. Today the small academy she once started is now across the glove with over 50000 students attending classes every week! Check our our new website www.dramaafrica.com-it was launched in honour of Helen O'Grady's birthday.

Fourways Drama Classes

Yesterday I visited one of our most popular studios in Fourways; classes at the Norscot Recreation Centre run on Saturday mornings for children from ages 3 years and up. The teacher that runs this studio is the wonderful drama practitioner Megan. Megan is a dancer, actress and drama teacher-she is multi-talented and wonderful at building children up! We have a few spots available in these weekend classes-it's a great time to enroll before term 2 starts :)

The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy's Kindy Programme is really taking off! These classes are aimed at kids aged 3-5 years and the benefits of each lesson is amazing:) We guarantee children will benefit over a period of time, developing vital social and language skills. 

Through our programme children will learn to:

•  speak with more confidence                     
•  increase their self esteem                               
• work in group situations
• share and take turns appropriately
• develop new friendships
• improve listening and concentration skills

We run our Kindy Programme in several pre-schools already and the popularity of the class is encouraging us to launch a private Saturday Kindy Studio in Fourways. This unique, affordable and educational programme gives us the opportunity to reach even the youngest member of any family!

3-5 Year olds CAN do Drama!!!

Today teacher Megan and I were very busy running our Kindy Drama workshops at 2 very popular pre-schools in Johannesburg. I was lucky enough to meet all the pre-schoolers at Magic Beings Pre-School in Olivedale; and Megs spent a few hours at Melville Montessori in Melville. We are running our programme at both of these schools and there is no doubt that the Teachers and Principals have spotted the great benefits of our programme. Through fun dramatic activities the children learn to communicate effectively and with greater confidence they grow to be successful individuals. We are going to be opening a private Kindy Studio at Norscot Recreation Centre. The 30 minute lesson will be for 3-5 years olds only and Moms and Dads are invited to participate in the lessons with their kids - what a great way to have some quality time with your child. These classes will be opening in  2 weeks time at Norscot - so if you want to join we only have space for 10 children so contact me ASAP!!!

Weltevreden Park classes kick off today!

Today children from around Weltevreden Park will be starting their first drama lesson of the year! The great thing about the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy is that our classes are convenient.The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy prides itself as being an affordable community-based drama school operating across Johannesburg North West, including Weltevreden Park.  With its unique curriculum, the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy aims to develop confidence, self-esteem and communication skills for children aged 5 to 18 years. Every Monday afternoon from 3pm-4pm we meet at the activities room of Weltevreden Library - why not come for a free trail lesson? Our classes are fun, educational, creative and developmental!!!

Tomorrow our Boskruin/Randpark students return to Randpark United Church for their weekly drama classes! The studio is so popular that we have very few spots available :) so if you want to join you better move fast.

At 3pm our 5-8 year old actors will meet for  their very first lesson and we will kick the lesson off with fun, speech-developing activities! I don't want to give too much away for their lesson; but I can say that the play they will create tomorrow involves something that is very close to their little hearts - LOOSING A TOOTH :)

Our Upper Primary class for ages 9-12 years, has always been a jam-packed group - this year is no different! The lesson is full of confidence-building improvisations. I am very excited for this group to create their own scenes that involves something that is close to their hearts - school!

From 5pm-6pm the Boskruin Youth Group will attend their first Youth class. This year we have loads of students moving up from the Upper Primary Class - I cannot wait to see the talent of this group! We already had very talented and creative teens in the Youth Group but with the addition of so many experienced Upper Primary students this year is going to be AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!

5 years of Drama - that says something, surely?

Its been 5 years since we opened our classes in 2008! We have met so many awesome students over the years; some arrive hating their parents for forcing them to do this 'lame' activity, others arrive ready to take on whatever is thrown at them. No matter how the students arrives; I know that by the end of the year they will be standing on stage feeling absolutely exhilarated from conquering their nerves and performing their hearts outs at Productions. That feeling of complete fulfilment, pride and confidence is one that does not come easily for anyone...but its a guaranteed feeling at productions!!! Over the past 5 years I have seen over 1000 students conquer that stage and thus conquer their nerves and fear; and every time I see them bowing for their audience I witness their smiles of joy. We have said goodbye to a few of our students over the years :( Who could ever forget our Youth Theatre cast for "The kidnapping of Kitty O'Hara"...many have left to become young adults in the very scary world that we live in; and although I was sad to say goodbye, I know that they are going out into the world as confident, self-assured and fear-conquering individuals!

Rand Park/Boskruin Studio jam-packed with students

The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in Rand Park Ridge/Boskruin has always been a popular studio. Classes run every Friday during the school term from 3pm-6pm. There are 3 groups that the classes split in to according to their ages and experience! The lower primary group consists of 25 students aged between 5&8. The upper primary group is a full class of 26 students between 9-12 years of age;and the youth theatre group consists of 15 teenagers ranging from 13-18 years of age. This studio is extremely popular and the kids are very, very talented! We said goodbye to a few students this year as they are going on to varsity and matric:( Spaces have become available for next year-let your friends know to book their spot in class ASAP if they're interested in becoming more confident and skilled!

Drama Fun in the Sun

Spring has Sprung and we couldnt be more delighted!!! The kids and I were so happy to finally feel the warmth of spring that we decided to run class on the lawns of Fourways Gardens Estate.

The day started off with the Lower Primary Group arrivivg to class dressed up in any crazy gear that they could find...Look at us showing off in front of the camera...


Here we are posing under the lapa - what an awesome group:)

The Upper Primary Group also came to class all dressed up and ready to learn! We decided that the best way to enjoy the wonderful warmth was to learn mini-scripts on the lawn...

This class was so focused on the work that they didnt even notice anyone around us, they learnt their lines  with focus and determination! Afterwards they went off and rehearsed their own endings. Working outdoors can be challenging as noise levels are quiet loud, but they projected their voices like real amphitheatre performers:)

All I can say is getting out of the classroom and into the garden was a brilliant way to celebrate the warmth of SPRING!!!