Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Stage School in Townhill gets children into Shakespeare
Stage School in Townhill gets children into Shakespeare
“We have children as young as six reciting the Bard’s lines ”
By Mary Byford
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Walk through the doors of Townhill Community Centre on any Tuesday night and you should hear happy lively voices singing and chanting Shakespearian verse. “We do two and a half hours of acting, singing and dancing on a Tuesday night but it feels like thirty minutes to us” says theatre teacher Mary Byford “We are a small group so everyone gets a chance to perform for the class. Our showcases are held class by class so EVERYONE gets to shine”. Up In Lights Stage School started in January 2017 but already places are filling up fast. “I wanted to create a stage school that focuses on assertiveness and confidence in our young people” Mary states “I realised that the abundance of social media was making young people less connected, not more so and I want the classes to encourage students to connect heart and soul with their peers”.
Up In Lights teaches young people from 7 to 13 in a lively creative setting. “We do the dancing,acting and singing tuition you might expect but doing Shakespeare and Public Speaking is an added dimension for fuelling self-confidence” says drama teacher Christine Pace-Balzan. “We have students as young as six reciting the witches’ speech in Macbeth! We also aim to develop positive friendships and teach as much about assertiveness as we do about dance moves! We want to be a warm and engaging place for youngsters to come to after school. Every voice counts!”.jpg)
Mary, along with Italian dance teacher Monica Deioanni and drama teacher Christine are looking to expand their classes so more children can enjoy the school. “Children are amazing, they have incredible ideas” says Monica “we involve them in every stage of our theatre production process. We ask them how they feel when they dance, how the characters costumes should look. It is very exciting to put their design ideas into action”.
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Up In Lights are developing their classes further for April 2017. For more information look at www.upinlightsschool.org.uk or contact mary@upinlightsschool.org.uk