You have all put so much effort into learning your stories, actions, monologues, mimes and poems. Now the time has come to impress the examiners with your skills! A big thank you must also go to all of the mums, dads, grandparents and friends who have encouraged you along the way!

Therefore there are no Theatre Cats classes on Sat 17th July. Sat 24th July is our last class before Summer where we will be giving out Theatre Cats reports and certificates and your exam results!

Fi, Tom, Alex, Kyle and myself are already so proud of you all. Remember to aim high, introduce yourself and your pieces and smile!

Post from: Theatre Cats Stage School

Trinity Drama Exams Sat 17th and Sun 18th July

Trinity Drama Exams Sat 17th and Sun 18th July

Newsflash! The Newhall Summer School is now full, however, our Derby Summer School still has places available but book your place today as places go quickly!

During last year’s Summer School we went High School Musical crazy. This year we’re travelling down the yellow brick road to see The Wizard of Oz! The summer school for 5-16 year olds will run twice this year in different locations. Both will run from 9:30-3:30 everyday.

The first will take place at The William Allitt School in Newhall from Monday 2nd – Friday 6th August. The second will take place at Heatherton Community Centre in Derby from Monday 23rd – Friday 27th August. As always, there will be a performance on the last day to family and friends.

We have 40 places available in each summer school.

For Theatre Cats students the summer school costs just £79 for the week which equates to about £15 per day. For non-Theatre Cats members the cost is £99 for the week. If you are interested in either summer school
please email Cat at info@theatrecats.co.uk. Places are allocated on a
first-come-first-served basis.

The children have a great week, learn lots and have loads of fun making
new friends too! To see photos from last year’s summer school go here

Post from: Theatre Cats Stage School

Musical Theatre Summer School for 5-16 year olds – Wizard of Oz!

Musical Theatre Summer School for 5-16 year olds – Wizard of Oz!

Dear Parent/Guardian,

I am writing to you with details about our planned Drama and Speech examinations with Trinity Guildhall on Saturday 17^th July 2010 at The Brewhouse Arts Centre in Burton on Trent.

As our students progress at Theatre Cats and the fundamental skills have been attained, each student now has the option to train towards Trinity Guildhall examinations in Speech and Drama. These will be offered from Initial Grade up to Grade 8 and students can take part in solo, duologue or group examinations. When students pass grades 6-8 they will achieve points that will go towards UCAS applications for those wishing to apply for university or higher-level courses.

Trinity Guildhall’s grade, certificate and diploma qualifications in drama, speech and musical theatre, provide a structured framework to encourage and assess candidates in the progressive mastery of a wide range of performance skills.
Trinity Guildhall assessments are recognised internationally by the appropriate regulatory bodies. Examination fees are in addition to class costs. A typical exam will cost approximately between £25-£40 per student for the first few grades. As the grade increases then so do the examination fees. Trinity Guildhall sets the examination fees.

Our first examination session for Theatre Cats took place in July 2009. 45 students took part on the day and it was a huge success as every student passed. The exam day is timetabled and students have their own allocated exam slot during the day. Each exam lasts approximately 10-15 minutes and students must arrive at the location at least 15 minutes before their exam.

I understand that some students may find the idea of examinations daunting; however, the examiners at Trinity are extremely friendly and they recognize that some children may be nervous. Theatre Cats students will have ample preparation time during class and gaining such qualifications can only support your child further during their education. Students who do not take part will continue their stage school training, however, we do encourage as many students as possible to take part in the exam process.

Please complete the form below indicating if you wish your child to take part in the examinations and return it to me as soon as possible. There will only be space for approximately 45 students per exam session and so places will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Extra exam sessions, however, will be provided if we have a lot of interest.

Kind regards

Catherine Budworth

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

I do/do not wish my child ………………………………. to take part in the Trinity Guildhall exam day on Saturday 17^th July 2010 with Theatre Cats. I understand that exam fees are in addition to class fees.

Signed………………………………… Parent/Guardian Date: ………………….

Post from: Theatre Cats Stage School

Theatre Exams for Theatre Cats 2010

Theatre Exams for Theatre Cats 2010

Our Theatre Cats Students from Derby, Burton and Newhall have recently come together to provide a Christmas showcase for friends and family at The William Allitt School in Newhall.

The students worked really hard learning lines and reheasing songs and dances during the Winter term.

The 3 performances from our intermediate, young and older students took place on Saturday 12th December. Each performance was to a packed audience.

The students were given poems to learn and perform, this type of recital is where students learn key performance skills such as confidence on stage, using a clear and loud voice and memory skills. All of which are necessary for students to progress and for those who choose to take exams with Theatre Cats through Trinity Guildhall.

The students also had to learn songs, dances and drama extracts to showcase their talents. This included High School Musical, Annie, Blood Brothers, Hairspray and Grease to name but a few.

The feedback at the end of each performance was excellent with parents overwhelmed with their child’s success and what they had achieved in 10 classes.

We were extremley proud of everyone who took part and we look forward to seeing you all for a new term and a new year in January 2010.

The TheatreCats Team

Post from: Theatre Cats Stage School

Christmas Theatre Showcase a Great Success!

Christmas Theatre Showcase a Great Success!

Drama stimulates the imagination in both children and adults.

Drama installs confidence in children by allowing them to improvise and experiment and understanding that there is no final answer.

Drama encourages speech development, awareness of body language and allowing children to become more socially aware.

Drama also works by stimulating and supporting the growth of imagination.

Learning through drama allows children to explore their creativity and have fun whilst leaving their shyness and worries behind.

Learning through Laughter.

Post from: Theatre Cats Stage School

Motivational Drama Quotes

Motivational Drama Quotes

The performing arts classes will be opening on Friday 11th September at Picknalls First School on Oldfields Road, Uttoxeter. The classes will begin with basic drama skills, helping to build confidence and self-esteem. They will also include rudimentary performance skills in stagecraft, acting, singing and movement. Students will learn valuable performance techniques, including: character building, vocal projection, diction, improvisation, devising and script work.

Ashleigh-May Bawden will be the Theatre Cats teacher in Uttoxeter. Ashleigh is an Australian Actress who studied Drama at Rhodes University, graduating in 2005 with an Honours degree. She is extremley passionate about her subject, her energy is infectious! The Uttoxeter students will also have a very dedicated assistant: Alex Fung.

For an opportunity to try Theatre Cats Uttoxeter for free, simply complete the Info Request Form or
call 0845 003 8230.

Post from: Theatre Cats Stage School

Theatre Cats Branches out to Uttoxeter

Theatre Cats Branches out to Uttoxeter

40 local students from Theatre Cats Stage School have recently rehearsed and performed a show within a week. Children between 4 and 16 years of age came to the summer school every day to learn all the songs, dances and basketball skills to be able to perform the stage version of High School Musical.

The summer school ran from Monday 3^rd to Friday 7^th August at The William Allitt School in Newhall. On the last day there was a performance to family and friends to showcase the talents of the youngsters. ‘That production today shows real hard effort and work from you and all the performers,’ said one of the parents.

‘The week was a complete hit,’ said Catherine Budworth, Principal of Theatre Cats. ‘The children were so dedicated and they obviously enjoyed every second. We were very proud of them.’

The Theatre Cats team are already planning next year’s summer school. Classes for children aged 2 – 16 run throughout term time and the stage school also runs theatre trips, examinations, performances and summer schools. New classes to open in September, to qualify for a free taster class simply fill in the Info Request Form or call 0845 003 8230.

Post from: Theatre Cats Stage School

High School Musical – a Summer Success!

High School Musical – a Summer Success!

65% = Pass

75% = Merit

85% = Distinction

Initial Speech and Drama

Amelia Elizabeth Ashmole – Pass 71%

Hope Willow Page – Pass 73%

Molly Alexandra Pegrum – Merit 75%

Grade 1 Speech and Drama

Jake Daniel Barker – Distinction 92%

Matthew Joe Barker – Distinction 87%

Adam Phillip Batkin – Pass 72%

Jessie Rose Budd – Pass 66%

Emily Louise Connor – Pass 71%

James Lee Connor – Pass 73%

Victoria Anna Copeman – Distinction 85%

Rebecca Harvey – Merit 79%

Anisa Iqbal – Distinction 85%

Georgia Leedham – Distinction 85%

Benjamin Ryan Linehan – Pass 66%

Bathany Macey – Pass 73%

Charlotte Grace McCrea – Distinction 87%

Thalia Jade Mountney – Merit 81%

Lydia Jade Parnell – Merit 76%

Megan Kate Smart – Merit 79%

Lauren Starmer – Merit 77%

Grade 2 Speech and Drama

Ruth Bendall – Pass 72%

Rowen Dales – Pass 65%

Charlotte Farthing – Pass 70%

Sarah Harvey – Pass 71%

Abbey Jordan Hollis – Pass 68%

Jade-Alice Jenkins – Merit 75%

Hannah Land – Merit 78%

Rebecca Ellen Legg – Merit 75%

Emma Louise Robinson – Merit 79%

Yasmin Scane – Merit 76%

Leah Marie Vernon – Merit 75%

Grade 3 Speech and Drama

Simon May – Pass 68%

Grade 2 Individual Acting Skills

Jessica Brassington – Merit 77%

Hannah Imogen Emms – Distinction 85%

Ross Harris – Distinction 94%

James Killbery – Pass 68%

Jack Moore – Merit 81%

Grade 3 Individual Acting Skills

Amber Blackshaw – Merit 81%

Holly Dolman – Pass 73%

Jade Hallam – Merit 81%

Georgia Ann Horne – Pass 68%

Hannah Keach – Pass 65%

Kyle Morgan Lamley – Distinction 96%

Bronwyn Lanetta Makin – Distinction 92%

Ellie R Thomson – Merit 82%

Post from: Theatre Cats Stage School

Trinity Drama Exam Results July 2009 – 100% Pass Rate!

Trinity Drama Exam Results July 2009 – 100% Pass Rate!

Entertainment has become rather passive with cinema, television and video games becoming more popular. These screen-based methods have had a negative impact on communication. However, drama puts the “get up and go” back into entertainment. Children have the opportunity to connect with others in a more meaningful way as drama encourages speech development, awareness of body language and allowing the child to become more socially aware.

Play and drama are closely linked. When a child plays a game they are pretending and using their imagination and so are moving away from reality to create their own story. Drama is a vehicle through which children can express themselves more freely through mime, gesture, movement and speech to make education fun.

Children gain confidence by understanding that there is no final answer in drama and that their opinion and contribution is valued. Children are able to give a personal response to many issues and situations such as poverty, bullying, global warming and recycling. The issues that drama can tackle are endless. Drama and education have a strong link as drama can encourage children to take an active interest in other subjects such as Geography, History and English and so have a more rounded education.

As a drama teacher, I have witnessed children at their first class holding onto their parent’s arm-unwilling to let go. To then see the same child running into my class with a beaming smile is an excellent sight. Drama installs confidence in children by allowing them to improvise and experiment. Everyone is given the opportunity to shine within Drama.

For more information on building confidence through drama and drama classes for children in Staffordshire and Derbyshire and for a free taster class,  simple complete the Information Request Form.

Catherine Budworth

Post from: Theatre Cats Stage School

Building Confidence Through Drama

Building Confidence Through Drama