helenogradydunedin

Hi Everyone

2012-02-21T11:34:00.000+13:00

Week Three already
This term is flying past.

Our Dance Drama is the main focus of our lessons this week.

Over the last two weeks we have been learning about locomotion (fast and slow), moving between different styles of locomotion (walking, skipping, hopping etc), working with partners and making our bodies look happy or sad.
This week we put all that together with "The Villagers and the Tyrant".
Some of us will be villagers playing in the sun and being happy, until the Tyrant appears and starts to demand that we pay him some money. At first we are scared (and show this by sad, unhappy bodies) and give him what he wants. After a while we realise that he is not that scary and gang together to sneak up on the Tyrant and give him a scare instead. The Tyrant goes from being loud and scary to being unhappy and sad.

Of course we show all this using our Mime and Movement skills - no talking - just lots of facial and body expressions. And of course every class is different in the portrayal of the story.
I can't wait to see how your class does it!

Lower Primary classes our Improvisation this week is about having "Fun in the Sun" at the beach. Don't forget to bring your props.
Upper Primary, our Improvisation is called "The Bus Accident". We might have to practice our first aid skills to help the injured passengers.

Keep up the good work on your ad libbing. Your speech is coming along, but remember practice makes perfect. So that is what we will be doing - practicing so we can be perfect.

See you all at class.

Bye

How's It Going??????

2012-02-15T17:46:00.000+13:00

Have you all settled back into your school routine?

I really enjoyed our first week back, seeing all the old faces and meeting lots of new ones. The start of the term is always a little unsettling but we too will soon be into our routine.

It has been good to hear lots of fine voices. I can tell that some of you have been practicing your speech exercises. Your ad-libbing is coming along too and it has been great to hear this during our classes last week. Dust off those imaginations and get all those creative minds working. We can have sooooooo much fun.

The subject of our "snippets" this week is "Why did you put the phone down when I came into the room?" - That's a very long sentence by itself. Can you come up with some answers to it. I look forward to hearing them all.

Also I have really enjoyed watching some of our younger members having fun with crepe paper. We have been making flames and fires and dancing around the room using them as streamers. Just remember, while it is fun to pretend to be flames, we don't play with matches or fire as it can be very dangerous.

Have a really good week. I look forward to seeing you at class.

Bye for now

Here We Go

2012-02-07T11:31:00.000+13:00

Welcome to Term One 2012

Hello to all of you who are returning for another year and a BIG WELCOME to all our new students.

Yes classes are starting this week and I have a very busy term planned.

The first thing we need to do is get those voices back into fine form after their rest over the holidays, so......
more projection, articulation and forward placing required. I will need just as much practice as you so it's something we'll be working on together.

Mime and movement is next on the list. I don't know about you but I will have to start limbering up to get into all those wonderful shapes that we make. I may be getting to old for this bit, so you will have to do it for me.

Improvisations or The Weekly Play.
This week some of us will be going to a barbecue with Timothy who loses a tooth, can you guess where??? Others of us will be off to the fairground to see if we can win a prize by Ringing the Bell. I wonder who it will be.

Snippets are returning this term. This week: "School was unbearable today". I hope this wasn't really the case for you.

See you all at class

Bye for now

Helen

Happy New Year Every One

2012-01-27T13:25:00.000+13:00

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Christmas and New Year.

Well, term one for 2012 is starting shortly and with it our drama classes. Many of you enquired about our classes last year but were unable to take part in our wonderful programme so I warmly welcome you to come along and join in our fun for 2012.

Our classes in:

Dunedin for 6 - 11 year olds are:

Monday Wakari School Hall, Helensburgh Road 3.45 – 4.45 pm - Starting Monday 13th Feb

Tuesday Musselburgh School Hall, Marlow St 3.30 - 4.30 pm - Starting Tuesday 7th Feb

Thursday Green Island School Hall,Howden St 3.30 – 4.30 pm - Starting Thursday 9th Feb

Friday Dunedin North Intermediate School Hall, North Road 4.00 - 5.00 pm - Starting Friday 3rd Feb

Youth Theatre for students - 12 - 16 years

Thursday - St Clair Womens Club Hall. 47 Albert Road, St Clair 7.00 - 8.00 pm - Starting Thursday 9th Feb

Invercargill class for 6 - 10 year olds

Thursday Holy Trinity Church hall, King Street, Windsor, Invercargill 3.30 - 4.30 pm - Starting Thursday 9th Feb.

The lessons are divided into three sections.

Speech: Projection, articulation, helping children to speak clearly with clear beginnings and endings of words. We learn rhymes and poems to help keep this fun and to stimulate the imagination.

Mime and Movement: Learning to move our bodies in different ways and to make different shapes with our bodies. Sometimes we have partner work and we also act out short stories (plays) to music.

Creative Improvisation: We learn a short play each week where the emphasis is on making up our own sentences to react to a scenario.

The students work together to help them feel confident in class.

Youth Theatre includes all of the above concepts and combined with stage craft and performance skills helps young adults grow in confidence and self esteem.

These classes are like a youth group, a safe environment without peer pressure or the other negative issues young people can face in society today.

Our programme runs for the full school year with classes held each week of the four terms. The fee for Term One is $135.00 all-inclusive or $250 which include a family discount for 2 children. Fees are paid at the first lesson of the term, however, I can offer you an installment plan and internet banking is available if this is more convenient.

For those students who may take a little while to settle into our programme and to enjoy the benefits we provide, we offer a 4 week trial period for $60. This ensures we both find the programme of benefit to your child.

Please access our website at www.helenogrady.co.nz. for more general information, testimonials etc.

Students are encouraged to call me Helen. I am a fully trained Helen O’Grady Drama teacher. Michelle Penny is my wonderful teacher for the Invercargill class.

At the end of Term Two you are invited to our End of Term Presentation and Prizegiving. At the conclusion of Term 4 we welcome you to attend a play presented by the children especially for parents and friends and our end of year prize giving.

Parents are not encouraged to stay at class as this can distract the children, is not conducive to creative development and can make teaching difficult.

If you have any questions please phone on 03-465-8412 or email gdwilson@xtra.co.nz.

I look forward to meeting you and your wonderful, creative children in the very near future.

Kind regards

Helen Wilson

Hello and Welcome to....

2011-11-15T10:37:00.000+13:00

Week seven........ already. I just can't believe we are so close to our performance days.

Thank you all for really trying hard with your roles in the plays. At this time of the term it is all getting a little trying and tiring for everyone. So.... we all need to put in that little bit more effort and concentration to make our plays the most wonderful thing our parents, family and friends have seen.

Most of us have finished learning the lines and moves, now it is a matter of putting that little bit more acting into your character, having lovely loud, clear voices, (both speaking and singing) and adding that bit of sparkle and dazzle.

Dress rehearsal is only a couple of lessons away. Have you thought about what you will wear??? Lots of colour and sparkles will be great.

See you all at class

Remember keep smiling

It's Show Time

2011-11-07T13:56:00.001+13:00

Dear Parents,

Its Show Time!

We are delighted to present our End of Year productions:

Circus Capers

Roslyn - Monday December 12th - 4.15 pm

Musselburgh - Tuesday December 6th - 4.00 pm

The Gardens - Friday December 9th - 4.30 pm

Pirate Joe

Invercargill - Thursday December 8th - 4.00 pm

Green Island - Thursday December 8th - 4.00 pm

Murder at Mornington Manor

Youth Theatre - Thursday December 8th - 7.30 pm

DRESS REHEARSAL TIME IS: Half an hour before the production for a final run through

Students please be there on time and in costume. We will perform for our parents and guests during the second half of the lesson

Its really important we support our class mates by attending and being on time.

Please dress in costume for the performance, it would be fantastic. However this is not compulsory, please do not go to a lot of expense.

As always, your co-operation at this time of year is much appreciated.

The students have worked incredibly hard to bring these performances together.

See you there

Week 10 - End of Term

2011-10-03T12:54:00.000+13:00

TERM 4 and THE PLAY!

This week is the last lesson of Term 3. Term 4 starts the same week as school.

THE PLAY!

As you know, our Academy year is divided into 4 terms. Terms 1, 2 & 3 concentrate on our extensive, developmental programme designed to help your child gain confidence and self esteem. Term 4 amalgamates the drama and life skills learned during the year into a finished product - the end of year play. This is a very exciting and rewarding time for the children as it gives them all an opportunity to be part of a very successful activity and to show you how they have progressed!

It is really important to make every effort to ensure that your child completes the year and gains the benefit of this unique experience. Children are encouraged to invite their family and friends to come and see the play and celebrate their achievement.

In Term 4, all students will be rehearsing for the end of year play.

Each student has been given a role in the play.

Very few students leave classes at this time of the year so we assume that your child will be continuing and playing a role in the play. Please let us know if this is not the case. To avoid clashes with school activities, the plays will be presented between December 6^th and December 12^th 2011 on the same day of the week you normally have class.

Please put this in your diary to ensure your child can attend and be part of the production.

Fees

Term 4 is an eight week term and the fee is reduced to $120. If you send your fees in with your child, please enclose in a sealed envelope, with your name and the amount clearly marked. Or payment can be made online to our account ASB 12-3150-0266940-00

An installment payment plan is available to help you spread the fee over the term. Please phone or email me if you wish to use the payment plan.

TERM 4 COMMENCES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

I look forward to seeing you all again and enjoying the fun of producing our play.

Have a great break. See you next term

The craziness has ......

2011-09-26T18:35:00.000+13:00

started. Yes now is the time for the hard work to begin for the end of year plays which will be performed between December 6 and 12 depending which studio you attend. Mark these dates on the callender now so we don't get any clashes. I would hate for you to put in so much hard work only not to be able to perform because of a clash with another activity.

This year we are going to be performing:
"Pirate Joe" for the Green Island studio and I have seen some great pirate acting already.
"Circus Capers" for the Composite classes. You guys have started with a hiss and a roar so the standard is going to be very high.
"Murder at Mornington Manor" for the Youth class and thank you to those people who are joining Youth to help add a few more voices. I really appreciate the effort you are putting into being part of the play.

So now is the time to start thinking about how your character would behave, how would they look, how would they talk, what kind of clothing would they wear. How would they walk, would they old or young - lots of things to think about as well as remember moves, lines, songs and dances, but guess what? ............

We are going to be having so much fun, I can't wait.

See you at class.

Almost time .....

2011-09-12T13:46:00.000+12:00

to start work on our plays. I have been busy putting scripts together, working out dance steps, sorting music etc. It's getting really exciting. I am so looking forward to helping you learn your lines and put your characters together. Only one week to go...... Yeah.

So this week, we have to work hard on our speech, making sure all the exercises are in place before we begin any script work. Mime and movement this week will be about the 3 different panes of movement, we certainly be using those skills in our plays. Improvisation is about catching the wrong plane for our holiday - oh no .. what shall we do ... only one thing for it -- practice using all our ad libbing skills to get us out of a tricky situation. Are you up for it??????? - Of course, I know you are.

By the way - what is your favourite Rugby World Cup team???? ---- Who is going to win??????

See you soon

Hello Spring

2011-09-05T13:52:00.001+12:00

Isn't it great!!!!!

Sunshine, flowers, lambs, calves, doesn't it make you want to smile, laugh and jump for joy!!

Welcome to Week Six.

Well more miniscripts this week. It is very good practice for learning our plays. We have to think about the type of character you are playing and making sure you stay in character all the way through, not just when you are saying your lines. Also let's try and learn the mini script off by heart, that way you can use heaps more acting to make your play come to life.
It's also a great way to help us to work with other people and respect what they have to say and do. Just remember to keep having fun.

Another Mime to Music this week. Remember we have been working on "wring and dab" and "press and flick", well this week we are going to put those skills together to become "grubby germs" lurking in the kitchen and find out what happens when they get cleaned.

See you at class

It's Week Five .........

2011-08-29T13:03:00.000+12:00

and that means we are half way through the term already and that means ..... only 3 weeks until we start work on our end of year plays Yeah !!!!!!

More about plays in the coming weeks, but there will be lots of singing and lots of colourful costumes, may be even some dancing.

Well the last couple of weeks we have been catching up with our inclass improvisations, The Thief and The Trial (because some classes were cancelled because of the snow)

What a great job you all did. It's hard to imagine what life was like way back in those horrible dark days when you could be sent to Australia because you were starving.

Important note: Although it makes a great play, it's still not okay to steal, even if it's something like a loaf of bread.
This week we are again working on Mini scripts and I am looking foward to all your great characterisations.

See you at class

Hello Week Three and ......It's Snowing

2011-08-15T14:06:00.000+12:00

Hello everyone

Yes it's snowing, even here in Waikouaiti. Many of our schools in Dunedin are closed today because of snow and ice, therefore there will be no class at Wakari today. Very disappointing as our improv this week is "The Thief" I was looking foward to all the great ideas you were going to bring to class. So Wakari students next week we will put the two improvisations together - "The Thief" and "The Thief con't" and see what a great play we can make.
Now for the rest of the week, I will see what the weather is like each morning and if the class needs to be cancelled I will let you all know before lunch time.
Have fun in the snow and keep safe and warm.

Untill next time ..........

Hello Week Two

2011-08-08T14:34:00.000+12:00

Hi every one, great to see you all back again this term.

Last week was a hoot. I was really impressed with your ad-libbing during our improvisation "Health and Safety". There was some great characterisation too. Well done.

This week we start our first mini-script - "Clear Up This Mess". The unusual thing about this script is that one person is going to be playing the part of a waste paper basket. I am already looking forward to how you are going to work on this one. Will it be funny, serious, weird, have a hidden message???

Remember to check with the Prop list posted last week for what you may need to bring to each class.

Have fun

Cheers

Helen

WELCOME TO TERM 3

2011-08-01T13:21:00.000+12:00

Hello everyone.

I hope you have all managed to have a good rest over the holidays. What about the snow?? Exciting. We had lots of lovely white snow here at Waikouaiti which was really amazing, it even snowed on the beach.

Well here we are ready to start Term 3. First of all I would like to thank you all for the really hard work you all put into our presentations last term. I was very proud of you all.

This term we go back to the normal format,

Introduction activities, speech, mime and movement, and our improvisations although every now and again I will throw in some miniscripts just to keep you on your toes.

We will be focusing on our ad libbing skills this term also, in preparation for our end of year play.

As the school terms have been changed this year, we will begin work on the end of year play in week 7, so we have plenty of time to master it before the rush of term 4.

Below I have included the themes of each lesson improvisations, so if you want to dress up or bring props please do.

Have a great week

Helen O’Grady Drama, TERM 3 Prop and Costume Suggestions:

UPPER PRIMARY

LESSON: DATES: THEME:

8^th – 12^th August Miniscript: “Clear up this mess!”

Nothing required

15^th – 19^th August Class Improvisation: “Stop Thief”

Bring any old fashioned workers’ or beggars’ clothes .

22^nd – 26^th August Class Improv: “The Trial”

This continues last week’s story with the trial

of the thief. You could be the judge, a lawyer,

a convict, a guard, or an onlooker in the court.

29^th Aug. – 2^nd Sept Miniscript: “The Latest Song”

You’ll be a parent or a teen.

Nothing required

5^th – 9^th Sept Miniscript: “When I Grow Up”

Nothing required

12^th – 16^th Sept Class Improv: “Oops! Wrong Plane!”

You could be cabin crew or any type of traveler: holidaymaker, business person, unaccompanied

child etc. Bring small hand luggage.

19^th – 23^th Sept Miniscript: “Mapreading”

On a hike: Bring a small backpack

26^th Sept. – 30^th Sept Miniscript: “The New Robot” If you can think of

any simple robot accessories, bring them!

3^rd – 8^th October Class Improv: “The Audition”

If you like, come as a singer or dancer (any style)!

Week 5 Already!!

2011-03-07T13:50:00.000+13:00

Hello everyone. I cannot believe that we are half way through the term already. My appologies for not updating this site earlier.

A big welcome back to all my returning students. It's great to have you back and thank you for taking the time to help our new students.

A big welcome to all our new students this year. It is wonderful to see so many new faces and I can already see a difference to your performances even though we are only 5 weeks into the school year.

I am very impressed with the way all of you are working together in speech, mime and movement and improvisations. Keep up all your hard work.

Well that's all for today.

Have a safe week.

A Very Happy New Year

2011-01-11T15:46:00.000+13:00

Hello Everyone

Congratulations to our students on their fantastic efforts at the year end shows, and thank you parents for your enthusiastic support and appreciation. We look forward to seeing all of our students back in class this coming term.

COMMENCEMENT OF CLASSES – 2011

Please note we have had to make changes to a couple of our venues and start times for 2011. I hope this won't inconvenience anyone. Our classes will commence the week of February 7^th and run for a 10 week term.

Monday: Wakari School Hall, Helensburgh Road 3.45 – 4.45 pm

(We unfortunately are unable to use the St Johns Church Hall this year. Class time has been moved back for those of you who may need more time to get to class.)

Tuesday: Musselburgh School Hall, Marlow Street 3.30 – 4.30 pm

Wednesday: Oamaru School Hall, Torridge Street 4.00 – 5.00 pm

Thursday: Green Island School Hall, Howden Street 3.30 – 4.30 pm

Invercargill - James Hargest Junior Campus 3.30 – 4.30 pm

Friday: DNI School Hall – The Gardens 4.00 – 5.00 pm

Youth Theatre: Thursday Evenings – 7.00 – 8.00 pm

New Venue St Clair Womens Hall – 47 Albert Street – St Clair (Last road on the right off Forbury Road, going towards the beach.)

Unfortunately, we are no longer able to use the Mary Hopewell Theatre, at the University. However, this new venue provides a great working space and a good stage.

Enjoy the rest of your holiday. See you all in February.

With kind regards

Helen Wilson

Fantastic Performances 2010

2010-12-15T17:34:00.000+13:00

Well, we are at the end of the last term for 2010. This year has just flown by and I can't believe it will soon be Christmas.
I would like to thank you for all your hard work this term getting our productions up and running.
All your performances were fantastic and I know your parents are so proud of you and your achievements. I have attached some photos of the different studios and you all look splendid in your costumes.
My thanks also to Mums and Dads, for the support you have given me over the year.
Well done all those who received their certificates this term. A great effort. A special congratulations to those of you who received their 100 lesson plaque.
A reminder that we will be starting again in Term 1 of 2011, the week beginning 7th February.
I look forward to seeing you all then. We have lots of new exciting activities to look forward to.

In the meantime I wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas and a great holiday.

See you next year.

End Of Week Five

2010-11-12T12:44:00.000+13:00

I can't believe we are half way through the term already. Where has the time gone. We are now in that difficult phase of learning our plays.
Some of the excitement has worn off and we are counting down to the performance date. As we will be performing in Week 9, that means we only have 2 more full lessons before dress rehearsal, so we really need to concentrate on our characters over the next 2 weeks and work hard to fix any problems we are having with the play.

Dress Rehearsal - is just that. When we make sure the costumes are right, the props work and the last time we have a chance to fix those niggly little problems.

As we are performing in week 9 the last lesson in week 10 will be a mixture of movement, snippets and miniscripts. I will choose some from over the year and we will just have some fun putting them together.

Youth Theatre - I have been asked to move our performance date forward to Thursday 9th December. Does this suit everyone. Please let me know if there is a problem.

Lastly for this week - The Helen O'Grady Star of the Week goes to .............. Simon - from Green Island Studio. Thank you Simon for being an excellent role model for my younger students.

Have a great week.

Another Week Come and Gone

2010-11-05T11:53:00.000+13:00

Hi everyone

What a great week it's been. Everything is starting to come together now. Well done all of you for the hard work you are putting into learning your lines and becoming your characters.
The next couple of weeks may be a bit messy as we start to fine tune everything, words, moves, songs, music etc but we all just need to be patient and concentrate just a little harder.

Performance dates will be:

Musselburgh Tuesday 7th December
Oamaru Wednesday 8th December
Green Island Thursday 9th December
The Gardens Friday 10th December
Roslyn Monday 13th December
Youth Theatre Thursday 16th December

If for some reason these dates don't suit, please let me know ASAP as I may be able to rearrange things. This time of year is a busy one for all of us.

The Helen O'Grady Drama Star of the Week goes to Elizabeth from Oamaru studio, for being such a cute baby elephant. Well done Elizabeth. Keep up the hard work.

That's all for now.

See you all next week.

Great Stuff

2010-10-29T12:26:00.001+13:00

Hello
Just a short note this week.
I am very happy to see all the great work that is being put into learning our lines and becoming our characters. Keep it up.

We have just finished our third week and there are only 6 more weeks until we put on our performance. I am starting to get the costumes ready and making masks. I am also putting together sound effects to help our plays come alive.

Don't forget to keep thinking about your characters. How they walk and talk. How do you stand and stay in character, even if it's not your turn to say anything. This is really important. You may want to practise being your character at home when you have some spare time.

Lastly, my Helen O'Grady Drama star of the week goes to: BRIAR - from Musselburgh Studio.

Well done Briar. I am really impressed at the way you have learnt all your words already and the confident way you say them.

Well that's all for now.

Bye

Welcome Back

2010-10-20T20:31:00.000+13:00

Hello everyone

Well we are into the second week of Term 2 and things are getting busy already. So many words to learn, so many characters to create. I know it seems a little chaotic at the moment but we will get there and I am confident that you will put on a splendid show.
I am starting to think about costumes. If you have any ideas or want to create your own costumes or masks or anything that will help you be your character that is great. Please don't spend lots of money, the best costumes are usually those that come from home and are made with lots of imagination. Be creative. Use lots of colour. Remember we have spiders, dragons, elves and fairies as some of our characters.

Those of you who are in the play about the Lions Roar, start thinking how the animal you are playing moves and sounds. Lots of colour for these characters too. Perhaps you would like to have a go at making your own animal masks.

Youth Theatre, we are going to have a fantastic play. It may be quite simple but the hard part is getting the characters. Have a good think about how you can make your character seem like a real person, not just words on a script.

Keep working on getting those words learnt.

Only 7 more lessons until our performance Yeah!!

Last Week of Term Three

2010-09-22T13:43:00.000+12:00

Well it's arrived - week 10 of term three.
I'm always a little sad at this time because I won't be seeing you for two weeks. On the bright side though we have a very exciting term 4 coming up with all the rehearsing for our end of year plays. I can't wait to get started and I will be spending time during my break getting everything organised so we can be begin term 4 with a rip and a roar.

Well done every one for your great work this term. I have seen so much improvement, especially when performing our mini-scripts and prop snippets.

I hope you all have a fantastic holiday. Keep safe and see you again in the first week of Term 4.

Bye for now..........

Helen

Term Four Productions

2010-09-14T11:56:00.000+12:00

Guess what?????

Next Term is PRODUCTION TERM!

Yes, its time to show our friends and family just how much we have learned and how much we have gained in confidence and self esteem.

We will be putting on our own play,which we will present to our folks in the last week of Term Four.

Its great fun as we will be rehearsing a real play, learning the lines, acting the parts and dressing up. YES, makeup is allowed for the presentation day.

On the first lesson of the new term, I will tell you which play we are performing and we will read through the script and I can get an idea of who might be playing which part. Really important to be there on the first lesson.

Its so exciting, I cant wait.

Bye for now

Helen

End of Term

2010-09-14T11:51:00.000+12:00

Hello everyone. We are coming to the end of Term Three and its been great fun. I have seen so much growth from you all.

Especially pleasing has been the fantastic speech sessions, big voices, great faces and excellent articulation. Once again I have really enjoyed seeing you perform in our snippets and improvisations. It is wonderful to see your growth in confidence...remember how shy you were when you first came to our class...wow what a difference!

Looking forward to seeing you all again this week at class.

Bye for now

Helen