2015 – The year that was...AWESOME!!!

As we look back on 2015 I am overwhelmed with what a beautiful year it was. We opened at new schools, new venues and met so many new students. Current students thrived and we awarded over 300 students with medals, trophies and certificates at the end of year productions.

Term 1 saw a new teacher join our team – and the energy and passion she brought to each lesson inspired everyone who met her. 

Term 2 Presentations were better than ever and the students hit  a home run with their performance.

Olivedale Youth at their 2015 Production Photo Shoot

Roodepoort Theatre

Audience Members waiting in anticipation for the show to start

A few of the awards we gave out in 2015

Fourways Gardens students rehearsing for their shows

Arts Fest Teenagers receiving their Arts Fest Shirts

Arts Fest Rehearsals

Cliffview Primary Students performing at their Parent Presentations

Our Holiday Arts Fest was better than ever this year and over the two weeks the ‘Rock’ themed ‘Drama Camp’  got the students acting, singing and dancing. We ended the Fest off with a wonderful Performance by our 5-18 year olds that really rocked.

Term 3 and 4 were full of skills and stage technique work that culminated in our end of year Productions held at the Roodepoort Theatre. What a year it was!!! A massive ‘BRAVO’ to our teachers, students and parents who helped make 2015 such a success!

2013 Productions-Theatre Experience Week

Our Academy launched their Theatre Experience week today! Students from all our studios across Joburg North West get to have their last drama lesson in the theatre and spend the hour exploring the theatre, having a photo shoot and doing a technical run through on stage. The Roodepoort Theatre is magnificent and its a real treat for each student to experience the magic of this establishment :)
We have a busy week ahead of us with over 24 classes coming along to their classes in stage-then productions start of Thursday night. It's going to be a real treat for everyone involved.

Meet 2 Peeps!!!

Tonight I'm introducing you to two young lady's who are a pleasure to teach! Paula and Alex Duggan are two sisters who attend our Fourways studio every Wedenesday from 5pm-6pm targeted at teenagers. They've been at the academy for just over two years and I'm grateful for their creativity and great energy that they bring to class!

I did a little interview with the girls so that we could get to know them a little better:
On the right meet...
Alex who is turning 15 in a few weeks. She Started drama 2 years ago to improve her self-confidence and to learn how to stop mumbling and thus improve her Public speaking! She said that's she's really looking forward to productions at the end of the year :)

On the left meet...
Paula who is 13 years old. She says that she started drama because she enjoyed it and now she does it to learn new drama skills and boost her confidence. She said that she's excited for productions!

I teach Paula and Alex and they are such polite young women who approach each lesson with great energy and attitudes. Alex has grown greatly since she started and it's all because she challenged herself to push boundaries and come back every week. Paula has a wonderful enthusiasm for drama and she works wonderfully in a group.

I really am blessed by these two students!

Gauteng Training such a success!

Yesterday the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy's Principals and teachers from around Gauteng met up for a day of training. It's so important for the Academy to keep everyone buzzing with enthusiasm and energy at every lesson, and there's no doubt that yesterday got all of us excited about our upcoming productions. We had such fun learning the new songs, dances, scenes and blocking for 2012s productions. I can't wait to get our students involved!!! A big thanks must go to our Executive Principal Vicky Stroud from Port Elizabeth for all her knowledge and support.

Colourful Costume Creations

The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy held its end of year productions at the end of November. We challenged our students to create there own costumes for the plays...the students showed their true colours when they arrived to their dress rehearsals fully kitted and as bright as ever. Take a look at some of the exciting 'costumes for the Pirate Joe Play:

Our older students had to put together outfits for a play all about the circus - just look at some of the bright ideas:


The Fourways Students at their successful dress rehearsal!





The Olivedale Group having fun at their Photo shoot:)

Look out fot more pics of our students during rehearsals, photo shoots and productions - we had such an amazing time we just have to share!