Just to inform everyone that the main roads in Burton are currently
fine and lots of students are eager to continue the term and so we have
decided to still run our theatre class 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.
Just to inform everyone that the main roads in Uttoxeter are currently
fine and lots of students are eager to begin the term 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.
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.
Forty five children from the Burton and Derby area 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.
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 day was 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 and we look forward to presenting the certificates to the students in September.”
Ten students achieved a Distinction, seventeen achieved a Merit and eighteen achieved a Pass. The highest mark on the day was 96/100 which was awarded to Kyle Lamley who took his Grade 3 Individual Acting Skills exam.
Theatre Cats offers theatre classes for 2-16 year olds in Staffordshire and Derbyshire. It currently has 10 classes throughout Derby, Burton and Swadlincote and is expanding to Uttoxeter in September 2009. The classes are divided into relevant age categories and each class is limited to a maximum of 15 students to ensure quality tuition.
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.