Helen O’Grady Drama Academy hosted their end of year annual performance at Culcheth High School’s drama studio. The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy was founded in a church hall in Perth, Australia in 1979 and has been operating around the world since then, the academy came to the UK in 1994 where the programme is available to every child from the age of five until they leave school.
A great amount of time has been spent developing a curriculum encompassing an extensive range of drama activities designed to capture the imagination of children of all ages. The material for each class is reviewed regularly to ensure it is age appropriate and relevant to the times. Each lesson is carefully planned with the curriculum including speech, verbal dynamics, creative movement, mimes to music, language development, structured improvisation, dialogue development, snippets, scene starters, mini scripts, bring a friend day and the end of year production.
The Bercow review in 2008 highlighted the requirement of the education system to focus on language and communication skills. Quoting “The ability to communicate is an essential life skill for all children and young people in the 21st-century, it is at the core of all social interaction. With strong communication skills, children can engage and thrive, without those children will struggle to learn, achieve, make friends and interact with the world around them”.
The Helen O’Grady system is completely focused on this where the curriculum taps into the natural interest children have in drama and helps them develop into confident articulate young people. In a modern world our young people rely so much on technology to communicate using texts, emails and social network sites it’s crucial we nurture our children’s confidence to allow them to hold their heads up, speak clearly and present themselves well in all situations.
The principal Andréa Williams holds this ethos close to her heart encouraging the children to grow in confidence and reach their maximum potential. Andréa clearly cares for each child who passes through the academy, she is an experienced drama teacher and clear leader. This academy is not all about West End performances and jazz hands but allowing individuals to flourish at their own pace and in a safe and friendly environment.
Most parents have their own stories why they enrol their child into this programme and I'm sure mine is very similar to most, as a theatre critic but also a parent of a very shy six-year-old I enrolled my daughter almost three years ago to promote her confidence as an individual, not only was she painfully shy but she struggled to lift her head if faced with a room full of people. Three years on I have a very self-confident, vibrant and sociable little girl and this is thanks to the academy and Andréa’s team.
As the parents took their seats it was clear to see that each individual member beamed with pride as they waited for their children to take to the stage, as a theatre critic you can easily be distracted by the basics scenery, the sound production and the constant prompts by the drama leaders but what matters is beyond any of that, the key to this production was these youngsters taking to the stage to show their proud parents and family the progress they have made and the hard work that has allowed them to achieve this.
Andréa Williams and Ashleigh Panther from the Woolston and Culcheth drama branches held the production together encouraging the youngsters to shine and enjoy their limelight, the overwhelming ethos is fun and partnership. It is clear that the children enjoy their evening and that each and every family member loved every moment seeing their little stars on stage.
From the talented Megan Lunt singing whilst playing her blue guitar to the “grasshopper and the ants”, “Fancy that” at Gloria’s annual do to the final “Curse of the Pharaoh’s” The evening was a perfect example of young theatre drama in the UK. The showcase from other groups spanned over the weekend with four sessions in total with many proud families present, Helen O’Grady has a brilliant drama programme for the children and lots of hard work has paid off to encourage these youngsters on their individual journeys.
This brilliant dram group is perfect for any young person who needs help with ongoing confidence, self-esteem, skills in verbal communication and help ineffective social interaction. Well done to all involved and a special thanks to Andréa and Ashleigh for their hard work and dedication to these youngsters.
Reviewer: Katie Leicester
Reviewed: 10th July 2016
