A Teenagers Journey into Acting

The most wonderful aspect of becoming a teenager is the maturity to now make your own decisions and hone in on what you really enjoy...I'm not talking about the major life-changing decisions that Mum and Dad should have until you're 21 years of age. No, I'm talking about the decisions that we have the right to make, I'm speaking about exploring yourself and finding what activity brings you great joy and passion!

I personally love teaching my teen-aged students because they attend our classes out of a want and need to be there! Each one of them is on this wonderful and amazing acting journey and I get to go along for the ride. Our teenagers are so dedicated to their classes that absenteeism is super low compared to the other age groups; even on weekends their consistent attendance reflects that there is something about the classes that brings them back each week - ready to explore and find out more about the drama medium.

Acting can be super intimidating but if one approaches it like our teenage students, where their focus is on using the body and voice to communicate to an audience, then the 'scary' part of acting shifts - we forget our nerves and shift our focus to improving our physical skills, creativity and ability to perform in a relaxed manner. Drama and acting becomes a craft, its a journey...and it all starts from the minute you take your first step into a drama class.

Kerry.

Please take note of our new Contact numbers:
0834102940 or
011 466 6770

Open Teenage workshop at Norscot Recreation Centre

Our teenagers at the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy Norscot studio treated a bunch of their parents and friends to a viewing of an open lesson! The drama teacher at Norscot, Megan facilitated the hour of improvisations, scripts and drama games. The class did an amazing job at entertaining all of us and blew the crowd away with their dramatic skills. Teenage drama classes run every Saturday at the Norscot Recreation Centre for any teenager between the ages of 13-18 years.

Creating a new Perspective!

Last night we opened in a very stormy Joburg west rand! Despite the disastrous weather the show went on and our students performed wonderfully well! Our teenagers from Cliffview brought me to tears with their excellent performance of the Helen O'Grady play 'Perspectives'.
It's amazing what a bunch of grade 7 girls were able to create with a bunch of sticks! They moved the audience to think about some serious issues that as a nation need to address! Their teacher Megan did an outstanding job at directing this physical theatre piece!
Tonight out students from Randpark, Strubensvalley and Blairgowrie will perform at the Roodepoort Theatre-yay!

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!

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!