I am writing to you with details about our planned Drama and Speech examinations with Trinity Guildhall on Saturday 17th 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.
I do/do not wish my child ………………………………. to take part in the Trinity Guildhall exam day on Saturday 17th July 2010 with Theatre Cats. I understand that exam fees are in addition to class fees.
Theatre Cats is pleased to announce that it will be opening its Theatre Kittens classes for pre-school children aged 2-4 years in Mickleover, Derby. The classes will take place at The Mickleover Community Pavilion, Vicarage Park, Mickleover on Friday mornings at 10:00-11:30am and will launch on Friday 26th February. To register for a free taster class, simply completer the Information Request Form.
Theatre Kittens classes will involve a variety of skills, including singing songs, movement and rhythm, imagination building, playing with instruments, dressing up and story-telling through drama. Research shows that early participation in drama, music and the performing arts develops imagination, creativity, confidence, coordination, language and communication skills.
Theatre Kittens will enhance your child’s development through shared activities for you both to enjoy. It’s an ideal way for you to socialise with other parents over a cuppa too.
Theatre Cats also runs theatre classes for 5-16 year olds in Burton, Uttoxeter, Derby and Newhall.
Corel Owen who attends our older group at Theatre Cats in Derby on a Wednesday evening has just been delivered some exciting news.
Last week she attended an interview to gain entry to Foremarke Hall. She had to do prepare for a 10 minute drama audition where she delivered a monologue from The Witches and an improvisation. She then had to work with other children on a drama workshop and give references about her character and personality.
Her mum gave me a call today to say how pleased she was as Corel had gained a Drama Scholarship on the strengths that they were bowled over by Corel’s talent.
So a huge congratulations to Corel! Her class teacher Fiona and myself would like to wish her every success in the future.
Just to inform everyone that the main roads around the British Legion in
Mickleover are currently fine and lots of students are eager to continue
and so we have decided to still run theatre classes this evening.
However, if anything changes in the meantime we will try and contact
everybody.
Please call 01283 531635 if in doubt or if you cannot make it. We
understand that the journey may be more difficult for some and
so in those cases we will leave the decision up to the parent/guardian.
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.
Our Theatre Cats students in Burton, Newhall and Derby and currently rehearsing for their Christmas Showcase performance which is in a few weeks. Due to this, we are not inviting new students for a taster class until January 2010. However, Uttoxeter classes will still be inviting new students for taster classes as they are not doing a big performance this term due to Uttoxeter being a new venue.
If you would like your child to attend a free taster class, simply register your details on our Information Request Form.
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 3rd to Friday 7th 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.
Drama and the Performing Arts are excellent methods of building confidence in children and adults alike. Learning through drama allows children to explore their creativity and have fun whilst leaving their shyness and worries behind. Drama also works by stimulating and supporting the growth of imagination and other skills.
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.