GROUP CLASSES (MONDAYS)

Information for Parents

I am delighted to welcome your child to the Easy Stages School of Speech and Drama.  The following notes are designed to help your child to get the most out of the classes.

What are the Easy Stages School Group Classes?

The School is not a youth club or a child minding service.  Although it is hoped that your child will meet other like-minded children and form firm friendships, the purpose of the classes is to teach your child about speech and drama.  It is not merely a way of entertaining them for an hour or a place for children to go just because they are at a loose end on a Monday afternoon.  I expect all students to show a genuine interest in speech and drama as a means of self-development and to be prepared to work alongside their fellow students and the teacher to make the classes as valuable a learning experience as possible.  The students regularly take part in the Speech and Drama classes of the Worthing Music Festival in November every year and they also enter for the graded Speech and Drama examinations of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).  Students over 16 years of age may be eligible for the RADA Shakespeare Certificates.  I am happy to provide details on request.

I am afraid we do not have the resources with which to put on large scale public shows in a theatre.  However, I am in contact with several local amateur drama societies who often need children and young people in their productions and I will be happy to pass on audition details where these do not clash with our own activities.

Unfortunately I am not able to regularly include music or dance in the curriculum.  The students will learn speech and drama subjects only.  It is possible that music and movement may be used in subjects such as dance drama and possibly mime.

The classes take place at St Michael’s Church Hall, Church Lane, Southwick every Monday during term time at the following times:

4.30-5.30                      Ages 7-10

5.30-6.30                      Ages 11-14

6.30-7.30                      Ages 15-18

What Will My Child Learn?

All aspects of the dramatic art are covered, including improvisation, mime, movement, voice and speech, character study, the speaking of verse and prose, choral speaking and stagecraft.  Naturally, it will not be possible to cover all these at the same time, so a systematic programme will be followed.  It is my experience that not all children enjoy all these subjects equally, but please encourage your child to “stick with it” if we are working on his/her least favourite subject.  We will cover the subjects he/she finds more interesting eventually.

Other important things your child will learn: 

• Not everyone can be in the spotlight all the time – in group work we work towards ensemble playing rather than individual stardom.  This is not a platform for show-offs!

• Group acting is teamwork.  You need to learn to give and take and be prepared to learn from others as well as helping them to develop their skills.  Everyone needs to work together for the success of the performance.

• Reliability and Commitment.  If we are working towards an event such as an examination or a festival entry, it is vital that everyone attends regularly and gives it their full attention.  One person not pulling their weight could have a disastrous effect on the final performance.

• Learning Lines is Important and takes time and hard work.  This is often not appreciated when a child embarks on texts for examinations or festivals.  Texts should be learned as soon as possible.  Class sessions are not for line learning.  Rehearsal cannot even properly begin until everyone knows their lines – accurately!

• The Class Teacher is a benevolent dictator and must be obeyed at all times!  Although it is hoped that students will contribute their own ideas and suggestions during class, the Teacher has the final word.  It is unfortunately not possible to direct any performance by committee.

Who Will Run the Classes?

The classes are run by the Easy Stages Principal, Maggie Hall, who is a qualified teacher of Speech and Drama, holding the Licentiate Teaching Diploma of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).  She is a member of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama, the British Voice Association and Voice Care Network UK (she is a VCN approved Voice Tutor).  She holds professional indemnity insurance and enhanced CRB clearance.

If it proves necessary to use an assistant, this is likely to be either a senior Easy Stages student or a drama undergraduate or recent graduate.  Occasional visiting instructors may be brought in for specialist subjects, eg: stage make-up.  All assistants and instructors will be known to the Principal personally and work under her supervision.

Discipline, Health and Safety – Ground Rules

All students will be expected to pay close attention to health and safety.  Any persistent behaviour which is deemed by the class teacher to be a threat to health and safety will result in the perpetrator’s parent or guardian being contacted and asked to collect him or her immediately.  This will also apply to any other form of unacceptable behaviour.  The student may then be banned from attending the School for the remainder of the term.  No fees will be refundable for children banned on the grounds of behaviour.

Class Fees

The fee for attending the classes is £45 per term per child, payable at the beginning of each term.  There are no refunds for non attendance unless the class is cancelled by me.  One term’s notice of withdrawal from the School is required, or one term’s fee in lieu of notice.  This is normal practice.  I will endeavour to give at least one term’s notice of any increase in fees.

Extra Costs

If students are entered for speech and drama examinations, the examining board charges an entry fee which varies depending on the subject and grade entered.  Fees are also charged for entry into Arts Festivals and differ according to the class entered.

Students may sometimes be required to buy books or scripts.

A small contribution may be requested towards the cost of fees for specialist workshops with paid instructors, eg: make-up, movement, etc.

Parent/Guardian’s Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to encourage their children to enter into School activities in the spirit indicated above and to abide by the Discipline, Health and Safety ground rules.  By signing the enrolment form you are agreeing to accept these responsibilities.