40 Years of Helen O’Grady!

   
      Helen O"Grady 40 Year Reunion in Australia - WOW!

The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy was originally founded in 1979 in Australia, when Helen O'Grady, a trained teacher, TV presenter and actress, hired a hall and commenced affordable after school drama classes for young people from 5-18 years of age.

Her aims provide a self-development drama programme encouraging:

•     Enthusiasm, energy and a positive approach to life
•     Ongoing confidence
•      Self esteem
•      Skill in verbal communication
•      Effective social interaction
•       Performance skills

40 years later her legacy continues, and the Helen O'Grady Drama System has now become the largest worldwide drama school of its kind with branches in 40 countries.

In 1996, the first franchise was started in South Africa, 23 years later there are 12 centres and 6,000 students attending lessons each week. Right here in Pretoria, Principal, Juliet Jordaan has been running the academy for 10 years, and going from strength to strength.

     “If young people are having fun when they are learning, the chances are that the skills taught will remain with them forever. Never has it been as important as it is now to set children up for life and prepare them with the life-skills so needed today and in the future.”   - Juliet Jordaan (Principal, Helen O’Grady Drama Academy Midrand & Pretoria)

                                 

To Love or not to Love…

 As Drama teachers, we are not aiming at creating award winning actors, but rather on developing life skills and cultivating a love for theatre and performance. If we are lucky, we might plant the seed that one day will lead to a handful of students pursuing a career in the performing arts. To help a young person find their passion and to witness that discovery is incredibly rewarding.

But for the most part, helping kids to learn to love theatre and the performing arts, understand the hard work and dedication that goes into a theatrical production and respecting those who choose to follow such a path, is a major win in my book.

We have just started rehearsals for our year end plays, and the children are very enthusiastic about putting this show together and performing it.

The excitement and somewhat nervous anticipation of being on stage, with costumes, lights and music is palpable. Watching their faces light up when they remember their lines and get the dance steps right and how proud they are of themselves and each other is a sure sign that this generation might just fall in love with theatre yet and perhaps one day, with any luck, these will be the audiences supporting our local talent and taking their children to the annual Panto, musical or ballet.  

                   

     Click Here to Enrol! 

  And be part of our 2019 Production!