Children Children's Theatre: Interesting Facts & Ideas facts and ideas

• ‘Drama’ comes from the Greek word ‘to do’.
• As a child, Jim Carrey (The Grinch, A Christmas Carol, Mr Popper’s Penguins) wore tap shoes to bed just in case his parents needed cheering up in the middle of the night!
• “I am a great admirer of other actors, but I never compete with other actors. I always compete with what I did last, and I'm my own most vicious critic. So I'm always trying to do it better.” – Michael Caine
• The cast is the whole group of people that make up the play.
• “The thing about film-making is I give it everything, that's why I work so hard. I always tell young actors to take charge. It's not that hard. Sign your own cheques, be responsible.” - Tom Cruise
• “It was only when I realized how actors have the power to move people that I decided to pursue acting as a career.” - Cate Blanchett
• “It's mainly about working hard and proving to people you're serious about it, and stretching yourself and learning. The mistake a lot of actors make, particularly young ones, is allowing themselves to feel that they're the finished articles, the bee's knees, and it's not true.” Daniel Radcliffe
• “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”- The importance of drama, Albert Einstein, Nobel Prize Winner.
• The director is the main person who oversees the entire play or film.
• Julia Roberts is the highest paid actress in film history.
• “I think some of the best actors ever were little kids.”- Joseph Gordon-Levitt
• William Shakespeare is the second most quoted writer in the English language – after the various writers of the Bible.
• Many actors chose to use another name as an actor- a stage name instead of their own birth name.
• Natalie Portman - Natalie Hershlag
• Queen Latifah - Dana Elaine Owens
• Tom Cruise - Thomas Mapother IV
• Reese Witherspoon - Laura Jeanne
• Katy Perry - Kathryn (Katy) Hudson
• Ben Kingsley - Krishna Pandit Bhanji.
• When filming summer scenes in winter, actors suck on ice cubes just before the camera rolls - it cools their mouths so their breath doesn't condense in the cold air.
• Actors work on stage, radio, television, video, or on film sets. Actors also work in cabarets and theme parks.

• Recommendation from other parents- personality of the school, affordability, timetable – (does it fit in with your week?). Word of mouth is the best way to find out about schools. Ask if you can experience a free taster session before committing yourself to a full term.
• Accredited by KalliKids
• Look at class sizes- classes under 15 children ensure the children are getting the most out of the lesson.
• Does the school provide performance opportunities in the term? Do they perform at local events?
• Is it expensive? Is there a uniform to buy or can your child wear their own clothes?
• Qualifications in drama? Are their opportunities to enter your child for LAMDA or Trinity drama exams?

National Drama Festivals Association

Internationally recognised qualifications:

Performance Arts Awards – 6 years upwards

Qualifications of tutors/coaches etc:

Degree/Diploma/HND & BTEC in drama/performing arts/ Theatre studies or musical theatre is ideal. If a teacher has extensive experience and credits from working in the acting industry they may not have qualifications but will be able to work from a physical approach with appropriate drama knowledge.

Physical

• Agility
• Posture
• Physical Fitness
• Fine & Motor Skills
• Stamina
• Reflexes

Mental

• Focus
• Concentration
• Speech
• Creativity
• Memory
• Reading
• Motivation
• Patience
• Vocabulary
• Critical Thinking
• Discipline
• Verbal communication
• Sensory
• Work Ethic

Social

• Self Confidence
• Team Work
• Listening
• Etiquette
• Conversation
• Respect

Disabilities that may benefit from the activity

• ADHD
• Autism
• Behavioural emotional and social activities
• Speech language and communication
• Dyslexia

Drama has a positive impact on all that partake in the activity. By starting young it helps children develop the cognitive skills critical for learning and build on physical, social and emotional skills which will be called upon throughout their life.
 

Further benefits include building on:

• Confidence
• Self Esteem
• Pride
• Self-Expression
• Body Language
• Public speaking
• Motivation
• Creative outlets
• Courage
• Trust
• Communication
• Ability to co-operate in a group
• Discipline
• Physicality
   

Talent - Get Started

RADA & Young People

‘Slumdog’ helps it’s child stars

Nation’s Best Am Dram

Charity Performance