KEEPING IN IN THE FAMILY

One of our students may belong to the smartest family in Britain!
Jacob Marshall and his dad recently took part in the BBC Radio 4 Extra quizshow, "Keep it in the Family". recorded in Glasgow. Jacob and his Dad were up against some stiff competition from two other contesting teams - but they won! We are delighted by Jacob's sucesss, and his school, St Ninian's of Cardenden, will be celebrating their success too.
Aardvark castings sent two other students, Joey Lawrence and Jamie Graham, to take part in the quiz too, and with their Dads they proved that the Academy can field some pretty smart students!

Well done to you all! The programme will be broadcast late this month.

GETTING READY TO SHINE FOR THE SUMMER

OUR PRODUCTION TERM!
The summer begins with our exciting new term when we prepare short, scripted plays to be presented to friends and family at the end of June.
This term, a wide selection of plays will be presented, to show the range and abilities of our students, to give parents an indication of how each child can develop, individually and at their own pace, and to allow each of our young students the chance to shine!
For some, this means the chance to build a character from their own ideas, for others, to project their voices with expression and enthusiasm, to others, the achievement of standing on a stage in public - for all, the opportunity to be part of something exciting and challenging, and to be able to contribute in their own, special, and unique way.
Our youngest children will be enacting the nursery rhyme, "The Old Woman who lived in  a Shoe", giving them all the chance to show how they can pretend to be naughty, sneaky, surprised and - hopefully - very, very good!
Older students will be joining the ship belonging to "Pirate Joe", a mean captain who one day pushes them just a little too far...
Our older Primary children will tell us the story of "The Pied Piper", a mysterious and frightening figure with a way with rats - certain to send a chill down every spine! - while others will be joining a failing circus in "Circus Capers" - but with our students to contribute their ideas, it is sure to be a success in the end!
The Youth Theatre students have a melodrama to convey, and will be asking for lots of audience participation in "The Triumph of Trevor Truelove or Vile Villiers Vanquished", while our largest group in Kinross will be controlling their aggression, their despair and their alarm when they find themelves holed up with a rival football team in a house that may or may not be haunted, and they have "A Score to Settle"....
A fun term is ceratinly in store for us all!
If you are interested in joining us, please contact our office on 01382 330052

THE UGLY BUGS BALL

Students winged their way towards the end of term with a spectacular "Ugly Bugs Ball", an improvised play that required fantastic coloured costumes, loud buzzing, chirping, scratching and scritching, and keeping a wary distance from a big, black spider - who knows who he wanted to trap in his web?
Along with lively actions and enthusiastic dancing, the fireflies sashayed along the insect catwalk, showing off their glitter and sparkle, and the gossipy bees reminded everyone about steering clear of the insect spray..

The classes all enjoyed showing their parents their final plays, and received their end of term certificates before closing down for the holidays.
When we come back, it will be summer!   

SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS!

Congratulatoins to Two Youth Theatre students who have set a toe on a Dramatic future!
Both students of the Cupar Youth Theatre, Elisabeth Flett has secured a place on the NQ Theatre Arts course at Dundee College and Thomas Beecher has been offered a place to study Acting and Performance at the Adam Smith College.
Well done to you both!

COURT PROCEEDINGS

The Accused is sentenced....

 

A cold, draughty, noisy weaving shed; hard, dangerous and difficult work; hungry, exhausted and downtrodden workers - this was the scene conjured up by our students  in a two-part play they devised, requiring lots of imagination, self expression and a bit of historical licence.

Every week, the children work on a different improvisation, to help them understand what it might be like to be in someone else's shoes, to articulate what that person might be thinking, and to learn how to empathise : this particular play, however, was a long way from the children's own experience and they had to draw on huge powers of imagination as they progressd from factory to street, begging for bread, counting their pennies or selling their goods. Although most were appalled when a thief made off with a loaf of bread, some sympathies were also expressed and the children realised that things are not always black and white.

Unusually, the story ran on into a second week, seeing the thief caught and judged. The children learned how to defend their friend, or to accuse him accurately and clearly, and finally to pass judgement. But it was the "magistrate" who had the last word, and the miscreant's future lay in his hands...

It was surprising and revealing how different groups came to quite different conclusions, some not at all popular!

The Improvisation was enhanced with a few costumes, but the atmosphere created was largely due to the children's own involvement and interest.

ASPIRING AARDVARKS!

The term has got into gear with lots of aspiring Aardvarks - students who are interested in joning our in house casting agency, and trying their chances - and their talents- in the world of show biz. Forty five students took part in a photoshoot held by Tracy Gow  (http://www.tracygowphotography.co.uk/) in Kinross - they are now launched to prepare themselves for stardom! See them on our website at http://www.aardvarkcasting.com/

BACK TO SCHOOL!

IMAGINATIONS, INITIATIVE AND IDEAS

 

Schools in Fife have been opening their doors to Drama - and some very strange happenings - this term, with the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy.  Equipped with nothing more than with strong voices, expressive faces and energetic bodies - and, most importantly, enormous imaginations,- six schools have taken part in Drama workshops showing just how powerful an imagination can be .

The children from Crossgates School, Kirkcaldy West, Kirkcaldy North, Milesmark, Balmerino and Wormit have all filled their school halls with mischievous ants, invading aliens, hootin' tootin' cowboys, celebrity chefs and nervous musicians - though not all at the same time!

The workshops were part of the schools' projects on literacy and the arts, and demonstrated how a spark of an idea can be develped, nutured and expanded - eventually growing to a play in which every child was involved and had a part to play.

Imagination is after all a hugely important part of a child's development whether they are studying the Arts or investigating science, maths or technology: through Drama  the children can understand how there may be many means towards an end, and discussion and collaboration lead to a satisfactory conclusion. 

Although our "audiences" were limited to the class teachers, the children shone with pride at what they had created together and thoroughly enjoyed the process of getting there!"

 

If you would like to arrange a Drama workshop for your school, please ring Barbara on 01382 330052.