Dynamic theatrical display by budding stars of the future

Parents’ Days in the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy are wonderful showcases for the many skills and talents developed during the term.

Students put their considerable acting and vocal abilities into practice with scripted plays, improvised plays, and music and movement pieces.

Students aged between 5 to 18 years of age enthusiastically took part in the showcase and received a rapturous reception.

The first presentation came from the Lower Primary class of 5 to 8-year-olds.

Children in this class worked hard on developing their confidence, self-esteem and strong, clear voices and acting skills.

They demonstrated their vocal skills by performing many voice activities, using fun rhymes and acted out poems to the general hilarity of their family and friends.

Once the laughter had died down, the children came to life and acted out a mimed play or dance drama. The main focus of this innovative presentation was the children’s amazing whole class improvisation which saw the students adopt convincing roles and develop an exciting piece of theatre.

The audience was left spellbound!

The Upper Primary class took centre stage next to demonstrate the development in vocal skills through the Academy’s extensive and progressive curriculum.

The highlight of this term’s work for this age group was their Verbal Dynamics play called ‘TV Talk’ using choral speaking, character development and strong acting skills - It was as dynamic as it was verbal.

To end, the students displayed their talent with a number of short scripts written specially for the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy.

Their performances clearly demonstrated the students’ advanced characterisation, as well as their theatrical and technical know-how.

Members of the audience were able to see clearly how much creativity and energy the children put into their individual performances.

As a tremendous endorsement of the creative benefits of the comprehensive theatre-arts programme, the youth theatre displayed conviction and enthusiasm through their stage work.

These young people, aged 11 to 17, have undergone extensive voice training and acting tuition, stretching their existing talents and developing new ones during an action-packed term.

They demonstrated advanced acting techniques in various genres, moving seamlessly from comedy to tragedy and back again.

There were monologue performances which were show-stopping, set alongside the two and three-handed scripts which the students made all their own with their acting abilities and ad-libs.

The audience wholeheartedly appreciated the superb performances and enthusiasm which this class so readily displayed.

Presenting the students with their certificates and medals for progress and achievement during the term, Newtownabbey class teacher, Catherine Hamill, said: “This term’s curriculum has provided a strong skills base for our forthcoming, fabulous summer productions which are performed in a professional theatre in June, where everyone gets the opportunity to display their talents and to shine like the stars we know they are.

“Fortunately there are still some places available for this exciting project. No audition is required and the rehearsals are great fun, as we continue our development programme.”

Contact the office for further details, and to book your place on 028 9146 4337, or e-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.helenogrady.co.uk