Fifty-nine children from the Swadlincote, Burton and Derby areas are celebrating this week after passing their Speech and Drama exams.
The children aged between five and sixteen from Theatre Cats Stage School which has classes in Burton, Newhall and Derby, took Drama exams run by Trinity College London…and every single student passed for the second year running!
They had to prepare monologues, mimes, recite poetry from memory, discuss their chosen pieces and engage in story-telling to pass the exams.
The exam process was purely optional for every student and forty five students decided to take the plunge. “The two exam days were a huge success with every single student achieving the required pass-mark,” said Catherine Budworth, Principal of Theatre Cats. “We were absolutely thrilled when we heard the news of a 100% pass rate. This is our second year with 100% pass rate and this year 63% of the children gained merits. We look forward to presenting the certificates to the students in September.”
Theatre Cats offers theatre classes for 2-16 year-olds in Staffordshire and Derbyshire. It currently has 13 classes throughout Derby, Burton and Swadlincote. The classes are divided into relevant age categories and each class is limited to a maximum of 15 students to ensure quality tuition. The stage school is also running a Wizard of Oz Summer School for 5-16 year-olds from 23rd-27th August in Littleover, Derby. Call 0845 003 8230 to book a place. Their Newhall Summer School is already full.
Catherine Budworth continued to say: “We at Theatre Cats pride ourselves on being a friendly and exciting stage school. Our aim is to encourage confidence and self-esteem through the performing arts. Learning through these art forms allows children to explore their creativity and have fun whilst leaving their shyness and worries behind.Our team are dedicated to ensuring that children receive the very best tuition in a fun and safe environment.”
Although several Theatre Cats classes are already full, enrolment is now open for available September classes. More information as well as a coupon for a free taster class, simple complete the Information Request Form.
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.
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.
Work with young people is at the very heart of Comic Relief. Whilst many young people lead fulfilling and exciting lives, others face enormous challenges and experience problems that they find difficult to solve on their own. Comic Relief has helped thousands of young people make positive changes in their lives but many more need help and support.
Children who live and work on the streets in Kenya face hardship and discrimination. The project works with children on the street in Kisumu, providing services at a drop-in centre including food and education as well as giving children shelter at night and better access to health care. The project also works in the community to help tackle abuse against street children. Where possible, children are reunited with family members so they can lead safer and more secure lives.
Domestic violence affects hundreds of thousands of families in the UK. Comic Relief has been supporting women experiencing domestic abuse for many years now and we have recently focused our attention on the affects of domestic abuse on children. Growing up in a household where domestic violence takes place leaves children feeling incredibly frightened and withdrawn from their friends as they struggle to keep secret what is happening to them at home.
That’s why the students at Theatre Cats Stage School decided to have a ”Pyjama Day” to raise money for Comic Relief.
The students at Theatre Cats all arrived in their pyjamas, slippers and dressing gowns ready to play games and learn about Red Nose Day. The ”Pyjama Day” classes began with party games to thank the children for their donations. We then worked on monologues and performances.
In our Newhall classes the children devised pieces of drama based on Comic Relief and how the money raised can help so many people. ”I was so pleased to see that the children cared so much.” (Catherine Budworth, Principal of Theatre Cats)
In our Derby classes, the staff made cakes to raise even more money.
Over the week, the students at Theatre Cats managed to raise a total of £125 for Comic Relief! ”The students were so passionate about raising money for charity, we’ll definately be helping charities again in the future.”
Fifty-nine children from the Swadlincote, Burton and Derby areas are celebrating this week after passing their Speech and Drama exams.
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ll soon be offering theatre classes and drama tuition to children in Uttoxeter.![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=944a0cf6-9d11-458a-a8ce-cabc17de4256)
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