Making a Difference

Account relayed by Duncan Rice of Helen O'Grady Drama Academy Cape Town:

 

I have just received a phone call from a new parent of a child who attended a new studio we opened last week in the city centre of Cape Town. Whilst we often get calls and emails of praise about our programme, I have never received such a heart-rending and effusive call from a parent. I was actually in tears on the phone myself. 

 

She initially gave me a little background to her life. The family was hijacked 5 years ago and her father and brother were shot dead in front of her. She and her mother survived and she lost her hearing in one ear as a result of the gun shot. For 5 years she has been seeing a psychologist. Her mother said that it has been a traumatic time for her. She has been to many clubs such as dancing but only lasts about 2 weeks. 

 

After her first lesson at the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy with our teacher, Nastassja Schroeder, she said to her mother, 'I am Special!' She had never said this before and her mother was in tears on the phone to me as she shared her joy. She said this was a turning point for her! She said this because Nastassja engaged with her from the minute she walked in the door. She said to her mother that Nastassja was warm and friendly, making her feel good about herself and her abilities. She was kind and explained everything to her so she understood what she had to do and she had such fun with the programme. After the class she said that she felt so part of the drama programme and again emphasised how special she felt. She then spent the whole evening phoning all her friends and family to let them know what a difference the Academy had made in her life. 

 

The mother phoned the psychologist today, relayed the story, and said that she felt that they would not need their services for a while because she felt her daughter had now turned a corner - she believed in herself! 

 

Thank you Nastassja and thank you to all our wonderful staff who make a difference in the lives of young children. We have a wonderful warm positive programme but the curriculum alone cannot make the change, it is caring, positive teachers, such as Nastassja, who bring out all that is best in the children.

 

 

Summerstrand Mimes Beautifully!

Our Lower Primary class at Summerstrand had such fun doing an excellent mime today! Creative movement is part of our programme, improving coordination skills and non verbal communication. Our unique, international Drama Programme promotes confidence and communication skills of students aged 3-18 years!

Linton Grange Mime

Our Linton Grange students enjoyed their mime at drama classes yesterday! They did a great job of acting out "The Villagers and the Tyrant". We spend an enormous amount of class time time working on developing our verbal communication skills - mime gives us the opportunity to work on our non-verbal skills.