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
Theatre Cats is a stage school in the Midlands which opened in January 2008 in Burton upon Trent with just 2 classes. It now has 12 classes over 3 locations and we have recently opened our Theatre Kittens classes for 2-4 year olds.
Our main aim in to build confidence and self-esteem in children through the Performing Arts.
We are looking for a dedicated and creative teacher to lead our Theatre Kittens classes. You must be CRB checked and have a passion for working with children. Experience of working with young children is a huge bonus. Candidates will be invited to teach a 10 minute class prepared by the candidate which will then be followed by an interview. The successful candidate will be expected to plan and deliver all classes.
Theatre Cats is expanding – come and join the fun!
We have the following vacancey available at Theatre Cats from September 2010 (please note that our current Theatre Kittens teacher would like to work alongside the successful candidate from June 2010)
Position: Theatre Kittens Teacher. Location: Mickleover, Derby. When: Friday mornings during term time from 10:00 – 11:30am. Start date: Friday 25th June.
We are also in the process of opening Theatre Kittens classes in Burton, Swadlincote and other locations during the daytime as well. These days and times haven’t yet been chosen so please state what your availability is as we will be expecting the same teacher to teach all of our Theatre Kittens classes.
Payment details for Theatre Kittens Teacher: Between £10 – £12 per hour dependent on age and experience.
Please note that you be working on a freelance basis and so will need to registered as self-employed.
(Theatre Cats can point you in the right direction if you are unsure about this.)
Deadline for full applications to be returned: Monday 3rd May.
Please email info@theatrecats.co.uk and we will then email out application forms and also ask to see an up-to-date and relevant CV with two referees and a cover letter explaining why you would like to work for Theatre Cats. We will then contact suitable candidates for interview in May 2010.
If you would like any further information or have any questions then please call 01283 531635.
Good Luck!
Catherine Budworth (BA. GTP. QTS)
Principal
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.
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.
We’re now at the end of term and Christmas is on the horizon, but first, a recap of the fabulous achievements at Theatre Cats and what’s just around the corner:
Christmas Showcase performances…
Over 140 students recently took part in our Christmas Showcase performances at The William Allitt School on Saturday 12th December. There were 3 performances on the day, each to sell-out audiences. We understand that it was a little cramped at times in the audience but of course we didn’t want anyone to miss the chance to see their child perform. Our students had been working hard on their songs, poems, drama pieces and dance routines to entertain and showcase their talents. Well done to all involved – you made us very proud!
Trinity Guildhall Examinations…
45 Theatre Cats students from our Burton, Newhall and Derby classes took Trinity Guildhall drama exams in July 2009 and achieved 100% pass rate. We will be running
another exam session in 2010, however, places will be limited to the first 45 students so watch this space!
The Team at Theatre Cats…
Since September 09 we have had a number of new teachers and assistants join the team. We have welcomed Tom Brassington, Alex Fung, Kyle Lamley and Laura Huxley to Theatre Cats and they are enjoying every minute!
When Does Next Term Start?
Mon 4th Jan – Burton
Tues 5h Jan – Newhall
Wed 6th Jan – Derby
Fri 8th Jan – Uttoxeter
Sat 9th Jan – Burton (first 2 classes at The William Allitt School in Newhall)
It’s Behind You!!!!
It’s panto season and 40 students are going to see Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on Saturday 23rd January at The Brewhouse in Burton. Starring our very own Tom Brassington as the Dame, Fiona Parker as the Mirror and Lauren Taylor as the Wicked Queen! One of our young Burton students: Sarah Huthmacher is also playing her début role in the show. The Saturday performance is now full but we still have places available for Thursday 21st January. Please let us know asap if you are interested.
New Classes Starting in 2010…
We are going to be launching our new Theatre Kittens classes for 2-4 year olds (pre-school) in Burton and Derby. We have already over 40 people interested simply through word-of-mouth alone. If you are interested, simply go to the Theatre Cats website and register for Theatre Kittens. More information to follow…
Theatre Cats Stage School will soon be offering theatre classes and drama tuition to children in Uttoxeter.
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.
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.