World Theatre Day at Thornhill Primary School

World Theatre Day with Helen O’Grady Botswana HELEN O'GRADY DRAMA ACADEMY IS AFRICA'S LARGEST DRAMA SCHOOL. GLOBALLY, THERE ARE OVER 50, 000 STUDENTS ATTENDING CLASSES EACH WEEK! The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy celebrated World Theatre Day on March 27th during their Drama workshops at Thornhill Primary School. The Academy runs its international programme in some of South Africa's and Botswana’s top private and government schools, giving many children the opportunity to experience the theatre in the best way possible by acting themselves. Much of the love of theatre comes from our childhood experience and the Academy really tries to reinforce the benefits of this beautiful cultural experience. The future theatre-goers will come from the children and it is important to encourage children to enjoy this art form, which is not only entertainment but educational as well. On World Theatre Day, children aged 6-12 at Thornhill Primary School engaged in Mimes and Improvisations as well as activities to develop their speech, articulation and voice projection. All existing students were encouraged to “bring a friend” for the day to participate in the class, giving them the opportunity to experience the wonderful feeling of self-expression in a safe, comfortable and more importantly, FUN environment. Many parents came to watch and participate on this day as well. The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy is the only organisation of its kind in Africa. It was originally founded in 1979 in Australia, when Helen O'Grady, a trained teacher, drama teacher and actress, hired a hall and commenced affordable after school drama classes for young people from 5-18 years of age. Her aims were to provide a self-development drama programme encouraging: • Enthusiasm, energy and a positive approach to life • Ongoing confidence • Self esteem • Skill in verbal communication • Effective social interaction • Performance skills Her legacy continues and the Helen O'Grady Drama System has now become the largest worldwide drama school of its kind. With an extensive curriculum, dynamic teachers and easily accessible venues, this is a truly community-based organisation, with a strong emphasis on the care of all its students. To find out more about Helen O’Grady in Botswana contact 3916741 / marketing@rewaedu.org / www.dramaafrica.com

HELEN O'GRADY BOTSWANA 2012

Happy 2012 to all of you out there. Helen O Grady Botswana is about to open its doors to a new year and huge opportunities are out there for children of all ages to join our classes and express themselves dramatically!! Studios already open at various schools - namely, Thornhill Primary, Northside Primary, Letlhabile Primary, Eagles Academy all for Lower and Upper Primary Students. We are aiming at opening studios at Rainbow Primary School and Broadhurst Primary School this year. If you are interested in enrolling your children and they are not at the above schools, please do not hesitate to contact me on 71607116 to fit your child into one of our existing studios.

Not to forget the little ones........... we are currently taking drama classes at Playmates Nursery School, Jack and Jill, Hibiscus, and opening a studio at Buzy Beez Nursery School and Hulala Nursery School. Our Kindy classes start from the age of three years. We can grow your child's self confidence and give them the opportunity to become articulate communicators. Sign up now for our new and exciting curriculum this year. Contact botswana@dramaafrica.com for further information.

Thornhill Upper Primary students practicing their Mini Scripts on a Friday afternoon in the Infant Hall at Thornhill Primary School. What fun we have putting it all together and acting it out in front of our friends.

Helen O'Grady Drama Botswana Launch

We've a great new Principal, a new international drama curriculum, and have added opportunities with a partnership with the Aardvark casting agency!

Classes will re-start in Term 3 2011 in Gaborone - watch this space!

email us on botswana@dramaafrica.com for more details and discounted pre-enrolment...

Drama at Legae Youth Theatre and Baobab Primary School

Term 2 is well underway and our students are throwing themselves into drama. The response to our publicity (especially the assemblies we have done) has been overwhelming. Long may it continue.

The Youth Theatre students seen here are preparing and performing an improvisation called 'Wagons West'. No script, just a couple of specific directives relating to plot and character. A challenge for those in the group who were new to drama but they did a fantastic job!

The Baobab Upper Primary session had to be moved from a classroom to the School Hall because of the number of students. I'll have to split this group! We had great fun with the introductory activities. Honestly, there were some way over the top deaths from a gas-filled yellow ball (you had to be there).

The Drama Academy strives to make the students' experience fun from beginning to end. Do these guys look like they are having fun or what?

More updates from Letlhabile, Legae Primary and Northside coming soon.