Performance for children | Taking part in a production

There are huge advantages to your child having the opportunity to perform on a stage to a live audience, here are 7 examples that you may not have thought of:

1. Self confidence: getting on stage in front of an audience is a great way to build confidence in children, even if they don't have lots of lines to remember the first couple of times, they still have to remember where to stand during acting and singing and what to do in their dance routines and children feel so proud of themselves for going out and giving it a go.  It is not about the most talented child, it is something every child should have an opportunity to experience.

2. Time management: as your child progresses through the ranks at stage school, they learn to follow the stage book backstage and organise themselves into the right costumes and be at stage door at the right time to go on.




3. Presenting your character: learning how to dress in character, this may be a full on Humpty Dumpty costume, or by reading a script and thinking about how your character would dress. This is the same as when you are giving a presentation or going for an interview, you think about how the audience would perceive you by the way you look.


4. Presentation Skills: An example of this is, what do you do when you go to give a presentation at school or even in your career if the technology you were relying on doesn't work?  You learn skills like improvisation, to calmly get out of a situation and make light of it, and have the ability to present in an interesting manner without props.

5. Articulation: Learning to speak clearly in a way that everybody can understand you.  As you work through a script and understand the character, you find that it develops articulation and tone of voice.

6. Team work: Working in harmony with each other and supporting each other on stage and backstage.

7. Posture: learning how to carry yourself and present on stage is vitally important to life skills and that final bow or curtsey just adds to the buzz of performing!




Sonnets Theatre Arts School (STAS) a performing arts school for 4 - 18 year olds, has a showcase on stage once a year and they are all inclusive (no matter what age or ability, your child will get to go on stage).

Throughout the school year children learn performance skills, both for on stage, in front of a camera and for radio.  Taster classes are available to book online at www.sonnetstas.co.uk

STAS Director David Phaure trained at The Academy of Live and Recorded Art (ALRA)  which is an accredited drama school. He has over 10 years teaching experience and also works in schools as a LAMDA Acting Coach. Email him direct for advice and information: david@sonnetstas.co.uk

Drama | Singing | Dance | Let's Perform on Stage

It is the count down to the Sonnets 2013 Showcase's, we have 3 showcases this year on 2nd, 4th and 5th July and all classes are getting very excited about performing on stage.


Sonnets Theatre Arts School showcases give the children the opportunity to work as a team and show a performance from each of the core disciplines Drama, Singing and Dance. The children are very proud of their work and there is such a buzz backstage.

It is important to take note that we are not selective (i.e. all pupils perform, not only the strongest performers). It is about the giving every child who comes to class the experience of performing on a professional stage each year, and having the opportunity to show their mums and dads what they have been working on.

We will be filming the dress rehearsals on the last day of term, for our next lot of promo films for the website, which will be ready to view by September. Please note, Andover and Salisbury class filming will be on Saturday 6th July (after the show), as they only have 9 weeks to rehearse!!!! 

Andover | Marlborough | Salisbury | Chippenham | Newbury | Swindon

Children's Drama Classes | Building Confidence and Self Esteem

An important part of growing up is being able to cope with lots of challenges. Changing schools, sports events at school, presenting to the class on 'Show and Tell' days and making new friends.  Children start to develop confidence throughout their informative years from toddler to teen.

Sonnets Theatre Arts School  |   Confidence & Life Skills

Drama Classes for children build on the development of confidence and self worth through sometimes stepping out of their comfort zones to create a 'Can Do' attitude, to take on new challenges and enhance self belief.

Stepping onto a Stage to give a performance, whether big or small can have a huge impact on a child's sense of self worth, and over the years we have seen this at Sonnets Theatre Arts School with our own eyes.  Teaching children key life skills like vocal projection, improvisation, creativity and team work in acting class, is giving children of the future transferable skills for life.

Success and confidence building in one area of your child's life, can overflow into sporting and academic achievements to landing the perfect job in the future.

For children's Drama classes in your area go to www.sonnetstas.co.uk

Youth Theatre | Sonnets Regional Youth Theatre opens in Andover

Youth Acting Opportunity

SRYT Director: David Phaure

Sonnets Regional Youth Theatre opens on Thursday 2nd May 2013 at John Hanson School in Andover for 14-21 year olds, who want to learn to act and be part of a performance team.

"The Youth Theatre will focus on Acting for performances, using a variety of both Live and Recorded Arts skills. We are currently working on a project with partners in London to offer acting competition opportunities and more exposure in the industry to this age group." Director, David Phaure.

The Regional Youth Theatre will be Directed by David Phaure who is a professional actor and trained at ALRA (The Academy of Live and Recorded Arts).  He has extensive experience of working with children and teenagers, and is a LAMDA Acting Coach (coaches right through to A Level & above) and also does Scholarship and Drama School entry training.  The first Youth Theatre project will be a radio play to be performed at a showcase in July.

To give more young people the opportunity to join in subs are only £3.  At the moment there is no audition to join this group, but this may change in the future. For more information go to facebook page. or visit our Andover Youth Theatre page on the website or call Dave on 07818 052552 (please leave a message or text if no answer and he will call you back, as he has a busy teaching schedule Mon-Sat).





Acting Classes | Should my child take Acting Exams?

LAMDA Acting Examination Classes

'LAMDA examinations are designed to equip learners, whatever their age or aspirations, with a range of skills which will serve them throughout life.'   LAMDA Examination Syllubus Book

The purpose of a qualification in Acting for your child is to develop:

- Interpretative skills by exploring style, form, character, subtext and context. technical skills and knowledge of the performance process. To focus on the character and create a credible sense of reality when acting.

- Technical skills by building skills such a voice, diction and movement within a characters situation.

- Knowledge of performance process to understand staging, context, subtext, style, character situation and period movement in some cases. you child will develop an understanding of the key principles of Brecht, Edward Gordon Craig and Stanislavski.

David Phaure, LAMDA Coach and Childrens Drama School Company Director "I have been coaching children in LAMDA examinations for over 10 years, it is amazing to see my pupils develop into confident performers and presenters, it also helps them in English class for writing and comprehension.  Plus the extra UCAS points you can gain for university are very attractive to parents".

If you are looking for a LAMDA class near you click here.









 

How do Performing Arts Classes Benefit Children?

Performing Arts is quite often a gap in Primary School education, they do the annual school play and a bit of Singing and some are lucky enough to do Dance.  But is your child getting the full benefit of the 'Power of the Performing Arts'?

Much research has been done and is a lot is published on the internet as to how the Performing Arts are beneficial to children and young people, it compliments your child's academic work and gives them valuable social and presentation skills.  All the articles I have read amount to positive outcomes, here are just a few of those outcomes listed below:

1. Develops language and communication skills.
2. Interpretation of emotions and helps to overcome anxiety.
3. The ability to understand and express there own opinions.
4. It can improve literacy levels at school.
5. Improve writing skills and language.
6. Gaining confidence.
7. Develop creativity.
8. Improve problem solving.
9. Coordination and Musicality.
10. Learning and memorising skills.
11. Team Work.
12. Positive Self Esteem and self belief.

Sonnets Theatre Arts School aim is to develop children and young people into confident articulate adults. Some may choose to pursue a profession on the stage, whilst others gain valuable skills to take on to their chosen career.

Sonnets Theatre Arts School Website

Easter Holiday Fun was Witchy Business!!!!!

The Easter holiday's were very spooky this year, children taking part in our Sonnets Easter School had a lot of Witchy business to deal with!!  From squeaky Mice to chocolate enticing Witches, we had all had lots of fun, and chocolate, but hey it was Easter!

Holiday School with Sonnets Theatre School is different to the term time classes, the focus is on working towards a play or a musical at the end of the week. In the week long workshops we get to be creative making props too, in the past few years we have made some fantastic props, and we have our very own artist Helen who comes in and works with the children.

A typical day at a holiday workshop is:

• Sign in first thing
• Warm up games
• Script reading/blocking out play or musical/prop making
• Lunch break
• Fresh Air - a walk or play at the park for 20  mins
• Blocking out the play, learning a song or dance routine

The children take control of the stage, pulling the curtains, prompting each other working as a team, and at the end of the workshop they all go home buzzing from the performance.

Lots and lots of fun, and you don't have to come to Sonnets classes in term time, in fact we have children regularly come along every school holiday to take part in our workshops.

Click here for summer holiday dates and let your child have a week in the spotlight on stage this summer!!

Holiday workshop fees are from £4-£4.50 per hour and are Directed by David Phaure a professional actor and musician. Choreography is by one of our expert dance coaches and Scenery and props by an Artist.  Combining Singing, Dancing, Acting and Art work!