Easter Camp 2016 Is Here!

Make  the best out of the Easter and School Holidays by enrolling your little ones between the ages of 5 - 18 years old for the SPAN- HOG Easter Camp taking place from March 28th - April 9th, 2016!

Our camp venue is Salad Masters, 1, Fola Osibo street., off Akin Doherty off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1. To register, please call 0809 190 0 700, 0809 357 1000.

Discount packages also available if you are bringing more than one child.

We can't wait to see you!

The Great Theatre!

"Drama classes are a fantastic means of developing confidence, self-esteem,and essential communication skills"says Duncan Rice of The Helen O' Grady Drama Academy Franchise. He also stated these classes help release the child's creative and expressive potential, which is one of the keys to healthy educational development.

The benefits of drama classes simply can't be overemphasized, one of which is the chance to do stage plays and theatre.

 Out of all developmental activities children are encouraged to go through, stage plays/Theatre is the one activity with the longest shelf life. This means that what they learnt from it will positively impact on who they will grow up to be in terms of their character.
The point? Let your child do theatre!and the reasons are best summed up in the words of Cathlyn Melvin, who went for drama classes as a child,and then started her own children theatre company. These reasons are solely based on her personal experience;

They’ll walk a mile in someone else’s shoes.  They’ll walk ten.  They’ll walk a hundred.  When a child reads a character, they’re forced to think, why would he have made that choice?  What’s he trying to get from the person he’s talking to?  How could he have done it differently?  Empathy is one of the top personality skills (yes, skills) necessary for strong corporate leadership later on,In Lauren Gunderson’s Huffington Post blog, How Theatre for Young People Could Change the World, she says that “so much of the toxicity in this world comes from a collective draining of empathy. We don't understand each other, and we don't want to. But theater invites us -- no, forces us -- to empathize.”  This practice lays the foundation for strength and compassion.

Theatre doesn’t tell you what to feel.   Art is based on personal experience.  Playing a role, designing a set, seeing a production, I might not see the same images or feel the same impulses as you.  And that’s how it’s meant to work.  It opens up pathways for all participants to explore their own emotions and views.  Involving your kids in art makes them free to think, free to feel, and free to explore who they want to become.

Theatre is great exposure to literature and history.  When I was in first grade, my class took a trip to our community children’s theatre to see a production of Just So Stories.  At the time, I didn’t know who Rudyard Kipling was, but afterward, I asked my teacher to help me find the Just So Stories book in our library.  Reading the stories, I made connections between what was happening on the page, and what happened during the performance.  I learned that Rudyard Kipling was also responsible for one of my favorite Disney movies – that one with Bhageera, and Baloo, and Mowgli.

Theatre provides the freedom to not be perfect.  Be big, be loud, be silly! it’s not about sounding pretty. It’s about telling a story and having fun. So we encourage the kids to try things.  Let loose.  If it doesn’t work, that’s okay – now we know and we can try something new!

Interview with Sarah Boulos on SPAN@10 by Tamo Iruene

When a web search is conducted of organizations that support youth, dozens of websites will lead you to resources for enterprise, entrepreneurship and even football.  But what of the youth whose experience in sports leads them to feelings of failure? Or those that can never create anything with their hands to save their lives?

Do the same web search of organizations in the performing arts and find…. very, very little. 

  

A vibrant Theatre Arts presence in a community brings other benefits as well.  It can bring in tourism  - and a steady cash flow to business owners.

The Society for The Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), a performing arts institution that combines Nigerian cultural traditions with world-class training, creating a platform to nurture and release creative potential in art, dance and music has been in existence for 10 years.

10 years that have not been without their challenges, their highs and their memorable moments.

Sarah Boulos in her capacity as Founder and Chairman of The Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria has trained and or contributed to over five hundred individuals in the professional field. SPAN has showcased and partnered with over 100 NGO’s and Mission work as well as provided on a yearly basis over thirty jobs in the entertainment industry.

In a No Holds Barred interview with Mrs. Boulos, she had this to say

Why did SPAN start?

Because it was needed and I was ready to serve and today the industry is soaring with professional performing artists hired and owning private businesses. SPAN, BORN OUT of a GOD GIVEN VISION IS PURPOSE DRIVEN AND PURPOSE DRIVEN MISSION are ignited because of a need and the need is to educate and present performing artists  to provide them with job opportunities and present their art and for children to develop themselves in an area of education that is missing in Nigeria.

Was it difficult being accepted by Nigerians?

It was when we first started but not as much now because the Nigerian community can now see the benefits of the performing arts and what it brings to the community, like new job opportunities , a better and healthier lifestyle, a creative energy in the economy, a positive outlook on our city and A reduction in the poverty line.

What challenges did you face?

To build awareness and educate the audience that this project is very much needed in our society and industry.

At the beginning, banks did not take me seriously and now they are hiring and sponsoring my student programs. Fundraising was also a major challenge and now it’s a lot easier, people are considering sponsoring the arts!!

What is different now…from 10 yrs ago?

Because the industry has opened partly due to our work there is more hope to see a performing art center built and a place for young people to learn and develop themselves and pursue their career in the performing arts because of our success stories in the Industry.

THE STIGMA, THOUGH STILL PRESENT IS NOT AS STRONG!

Do you regret any of the decisions you made then?

No, only when I get tired and desire to quit then a young child gives me a flower or I receive an encouraging word from one of my students then I know how precious and needed my services are.

What would you do things differently if you had the chance?

Yes I would, in certain areas of communication and who I partner with but in general the journey is necessary in every dream as we must learn lessons in order to grow

What does SPAN @ 10 mean to you in a nutshell?

A place where our citizens are educated , entertained and inspired for more through the performing arts .

What do you expect the show to accomplish?

The show will reinforce our vision and the need to develop more educational programs and to build a place to accommodate students and citizens to explore the wonders of the performing arts.

Lagos island drama, Helen O Grady courses, a key to excel in your confidence

Most of our pupils in drama have grown to become excellent speakers. Recently, Oriane B.

 was selected by theater under the stars in Houston, Tx to audition 

for the broadway theater in HOUSTON and as a 12 year old 

was transferred 

to the TEEN class.

When asked where did she pick all these gifts,

She said HELEN O GRADY taught her how to perform 

On stage and speak without a microphone!

In The Spirit Of Christmas

It was a captivating moment at The White Dove School on the 11th of December 2010, as our Superstars displayed their talents in a presentation titled ''How The Lion Got It's Roar''.

          Merry Christmas Friends

Potjiekos Competition Live In Lagos Nigeria.

The fabulous drama guru's of Helen O' Grady Drama Academy in the Lagos Islands, Nigeria are at it again! They haven't stopped at just impacting lives, they have also resorted to showcasing their culinary skills! This year the drama guru's joined other South African competitors in their annual Potjiekos competition on 2nd October, 2010.It was FUN all through the event.
                                          The Chefs.

 

Our Stand. 

Getting Ready To Dramatically Thrill The Audience.

Helen O' Grady Lagos Islands At Netherlands International School Lagos Nigeria

The begining of term 1 2010/2011 took a dramatic turn at The Netherlands International School Lagos Nigeria as the Helen O' Grady Drama Academy Lagos Islands launched its programme at the school.  The Upper Primary class was full of smiles and excitement as the students WOWED their teacher with their confidence and enthusiasm!

                                          We are Fabulous!

Mrs Marjoleine leading the students through their speech skills training 

Superstars in training!

Curriculum Get Together

Hurray another term begins and staff of Helen O' Grady Lagos Islands have come together once again to deliberate on how to dramatically develop skills whilst having fun. At the Academy learning is FUN! At the Academy children love drama and teachers love to impact knowledge.

Two teachers of the Drama Academy (Charlotte and Gill) during the curriculum get together

Hmm! we impact life through drama from the rear Marjoleine, Lalainya, Gill, Marianne (Principal of the Academy) Charlotte and Betty.

Hurray it's a new term again

The principal of the Helen O' Grady Drama Academy Marianne Terblanche putting the teachers through the curriculum for the new term (Term 1 2010/2011)

CURSE OF THE PHAROAHS

Tutankhamen’s sarcophagus is a source of great interest to the children on a tour of the museum...especially the priceless mask.

However...there is the ‘Curse’ to watch out for...as well as statues and mummies that ‘come alive’! Not a place you want to spend the night.....

The Week 2 of the Summer Stage School culminated in a scripted stage play titled 'CURSE OF THE PHAROAHS'.

We are going to see King Tutankamen’s tomb. The show opened with the song 'We are all going on a school outing..... We’ve seen it on the website now lets go and see if its true.... fun for me and you!'

We are the museum guards, we are here to make sure the priceless jewels of Cairo are not stolen.

Are they real statues? They look scary to me..... OR are they out to get the priceless jewels of the Pharoahs? Lets go and find out.

   

This is how we do it. Whole cast screaming whilst dancing THRILLER.  

                                             

Children Of Discovery House Montessori Lagos Nigeria

Upper Elementary children of Discovery House Montessori before their stage performance of 'The Bold Buccaneers'

Lower Elementary children preparing for their presentation 'The Snake Charmer'

The Bridging class performed and old  folk-tale called 'The Big Turnip'

The Old Farmer and His Wife.

Mighty Mouse who saved the day!

St Saviour's End Of Term Presentation

Everyone lives happily and works on Farmer and Mrs Giles’ farm.


Freddy and Frances Fox wait patiently until they settled down for the night to come and steal their chickens, as they are veeeerrrryyy hungry!

Freddy Fox is not very brave, so will they get a good and hearty chicken meal, or will they get caught?
Lower primary children of St Saviours School Ikoyi Lagos Nigeria, thrilled parents and friends whilst showcasing their skills developed during the term, with a play titled The Chicken Hearted Fox.

Will the Creators (Director, Producer and Writer) change all our well known fairytales?

Upper primary children showcased their talents whilst performing this humorous play titled 'Storyland'

 

WHAT FUN! Teachers in training

The Lagos Islands weekly teacher's training sessions have been emphasizing effective teaching skills to make each and every lesson filled to the brim with FUN and an experience which leaves you with a smile on your face. In the above picture, Samantha and Claudine are having great fun (to the amusement of Betty, Grace and Orji) pretending to be unruly children.

THIS IS HOW IT'S DONE!

Trainee teacher Orji showing the other teachers just how to express with your face, and good tambourine utilization. All training sessions are jam packed with new creative ideas, lots of sharing and interaction and above all, learning the skills to make each and every lesson FUN!

A day at the theatre

Tuesday the 25th of May 2010, was a memorable day for the students of Discovery House Montessori School in Lekki, as they joined students from other schools to watch a short play captioned THE REJECTED BLESSING at the National Theatre. It was an educational experience for the children as they learnt about theatre etiquette and had an opportunity to appreciate their culture via the dances and traditional attires which were show-cased.

American International School - 29th MAY 2010 PARENT’S DAY UPPER ELEMENTARY PRESENTATION - A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

The Upper Elementary presented a short-scripted play titled 'MAXIMUM SPEED'

Synopsis

A long, long time in the future, in a galaxy yet to be discovered, Space Cruiser 5 is under attack from the Targons. But why?

On board ship, there is unrest amongst the crew members. The robots, brought on board by the Captain, have gone wild. Is there a malfunction…or is it an act of sabotage?

American International School - 29th MAY 2010 PARENT’S DAY LOWER ELEMENTARY PRESENTATION - A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE

Parents and friends attending the parent’s day presentation at American International School Lagos Nigeria were in for a treat, as the lower and upper primary students thrilled the audience with a short presentation to the amazement of parents and friends alike.

The lower primary did a short play titled THE CHICKEN HEARTED FOX.

Synopsis

Everyone lives happily and works on Farmer and Mrs. Giles’ farm. Freddy and Frances Fox wait patiently until they settled down for the night to come and steal their chickens, as they are veeeerrrryyy hungry! Freddy Fox is not very brave, so will they get a good and hearty chicken meal, or will they get caught?