Drama helps reach potential

THE Helen O’Grady Drama Academy is renowned throughout Australia and in 25 countries, with almost 60,000 students worldwide.
It offers classes that focus on developing students’ confidence, self-esteem, communication and social skills through a balanced drama and theatre arts program.
Outer eastern Melbourne principal Karen Booth manages almost 300 students.
“We are not a talent school,” she said.
“If you have a shy or boisterous child, lessons in drama can help them to become well-rounded individuals with a healthy outlook on life.”
Ms Booth said drama could help shy children learn to relax and interact and be more expressive and confident.
“For the extroverts it can help them learn to focus their enthusiasm and skills and develop their passion,” she said.
Ms Booth said it was important for students to be confident and articulate in today’s fast paced and competitive society. “Being so gives young people the greatest chance for success in following their dreams and reaching their full potential,” she said.
The academy has a mix of students. About one third are boys.
“I find that many of the boys become very passionate about drama and discover it is really their thing,” Ms Booth said.
“Some boys are not cut out to be footballers or soccer kids and it is so nice that they can tap into their own passion each week and gain so many valuable skills through drama.”
Students do not need previous drama experience. Helen O’Grady Drama Academy has no auditions and classes are age grouped.
Classes are full of exciting and varied activities including dynamic speech work, creative movement and dance dramas, improvisations, theatre sports and games.
“It is wonderful to see a shy introverted child develop into a confident, happy and dramatic individual,” Ms Booth said.
“And to see the students develop as a team together learning valuable social skills of cooperation, self awareness and regulation is very rewarding.”
Students work on performance pieces during term two and in term four they prepare an end-of-year play.
“At these occasions achievement certificates and plaques are awarded to students for their commitment and persistence,” Ms Booth said.
All teachers with the academy are fully qualified primary or secondary trained and undergo regular training in the Helen O’Grady Drama System.
Helen O’Grady Drama Academy holds classes in Bayswater, Croydon, Ferntree Gully, Knoxfield, Lilydale, Monbulk, Mooroolbark, Ringwood, Rowville and Wantirna.
Readers can call Karen on 9754 1116 to find out more about how their child could benefit from the Helen O’Grady program.