That's A First!!!
Matt Wiles • January 18, 2018
Diary of a Drama Teacher...
Let me share with you the funny thing which happened yesterday. I arrived to teach my Heslington class to discover the floor covered (and I mean covered - you could barely see it) with flat pack kitchen cabinets in various states of assembly - and 2 workmen, music blaring out, putting them together. Dramatically (how else?) I gasped... but I have a class in here in 15 minutes! The lovely men, who had no idea I was due, quickly moved the lot! I didn't believe it could be done, but by the time my students started arriving the room was almost clear and we sat up the far end to do the register whilst the rest was cleared. Makes a good story and shows that even after 10 years in the job there are still some things which can take me by surprise!
Last week saw us start rehearsals for our summer performances in all our classes. Each week this term we practice the play and develop characters through exciting, dramatic activities with every child fully involved with great enthusiasm in every rehearsal. No one gets bored at Drama Kids and DK Youth Theatre!
Join us for the fun of summer production term. Unique ensemble plays include all children throughout. You aren't paying for your child to sit around waiting. If they want a line (or more) great! If they don't - they don't have to speak. We adapt our classes and performances to every child in the class. And that includes yours :)
Our summer plays are unique to Drama Kids. Written by experts in child development all children are on stage throughout and fully included in weekly rehearsals and the performance.
Working at home preparing this year's scripts: casting, line allocating (leaving blank lines for new students) Kieren, Laura and I are getting super excited about starting rehearsals for this year's plays when term starts next week.
Over 1000 applicants auditioned for 250 places at prestigious CAPA college in Wakefield which provides full time Arts training and education for students aged 16 - 19. Youth Theatre student Joe will be joining CAPA in September 25 after taking his GCSEs this summer. Joe joined Drama Kids when he was 10 and we are all SO proud of him and his achievements. Joe is also a Studio Assistant and working towards the RSL qualification Level 3 Teaching Assistant in the Performing Arts with Drama Kids.
All the children in our primary classes enjoyed performing for their parents / carers / guardians at Presentation Days over the last 2 weeks. And I loved seeing every single one of them :) And if anyone didn't want to stand up in front of an audience and perform that was fine too. Drama Kids and DK Youth Theatre really is for everyone and no one has to do anything they don't want to do!
Over the Easter break we will be casting roles and allocating lines. Can't wait to start rehearsals from 22nd April. Last year was so much fun!
Who wants to pick up litter in the school playground when you could become a robot astronaut and pick up space debris? There's no limit to the places imagination can take you in drama!
Younger students loved dressing up as circus characters to parade around the 'town' (drama studio hall). And acting out a dramatic rescue when the Big Top fell down!
