All I Want for Christmas...

We had probably heard that phrase from our kids, nephews, nieces, baby cousins and pretty much any other child that is in close relations with us a dozen times over this holiday season . Christmas  has always been one of the most exciting times of the year. It is the time that children expect their wishes for new toys , new PS games, and every other thing they have spent all year dreaming about to be fulfilled. And course parents and guardians will do their best to deliver and not disappoint.

As we celebrate christmas this year, we should also not forget to keep in mind , how best to help nurture and aid development in our kids in the forthcoming year. We need to groom them as they grow into another year. One way of achieving this by encouraging them to sign for drama classes.

Now, drama classes is not only for aspiring actors, there are other benefits that can be gotten from drama classes. Drama lessons also help in boosting a child's confidence. and communication skills.
It encourages team building and bonding because in drama plays,more often than not , there are different roles to play which will necessitate kids working together. This will  ultimately prepare them for the future.

All these and more is what your child will be getting at the Helen O Grady Drama Academy Lagos Island. Our programs specially designed to bring out expression, confidence, and creativity in children. Our activities are also created to encourage active engagement with and between the children.

As we are going into the new year, why not give it a try , bring your kids to a trial class near you , so you will see for yourself what they stand to gain if they enrol. For location, enquiries and more information, please call 0809 190 0700, 0809 356 1000, 0809 357 1000 and we will happy to attend to you. You can also send us a mail on info@spanigeria.org.

Happy holiday season, everyone!

For the Love of Arts

The HOG Summer Camp Diaries...

'It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge ' - Albert Einstein

'Creativity is an area in which younger people have a tremendous advantage, since they have an endearing habit of always questioning wisdom and authority' - Bill Hemlett

Benefits of Summer Camp for Kids

As the time for the summer holidays draw nearer, parents dread hearing their children complaining of boredom. Afterall there is a limit to the entertainment a child can have through games or CDs. Hence, many parents are increasingly taking the wide decisions of sending their children to summer camps for kids, instead of hearing them complaining about boredom.

Listed below are some reasons for making summer camps a necessary part of every child's life.

• Kids & teens get ample opportunities to indulge in a variety of games and activities, which they usually don't find anywhere near them. Summer camps for kids enable your child to enjoy activities like Pottery, Comic & Animation, Painting, Horse Riding, just to name a few.

• Children naturally feel bored, if they have to repeat their daily mundane tasks during holidays. However at summer camps for kids, children and teens get to learn new skills while enjoying themselves.

• Summer camps offer great opportunities to meet and befriend kids from other schools, cities, states and countries. They get to learn to new skills while enjoying themselves.

• They learn to be independent, self reliant, confident and creative. Besides learning new games and skills, they also become more tolerant and cooperative.

Our 4 week Performing Arts Camp starts Monday, July 18th, 2016. Please call 0809 357 1000 for registration.

Benefits of Summer Camp for Kids

As the time for the summer holidays draw nearer, parents dread hearing their children complaining of boredom. Afterall ther e is a limit to the entertainment a child can have through games or CDs. Hence, many parents are increasingly taking the wide decisions of sending their children to summer camps for kids, instead of hearing them complaining about boredom.

Listed below are some reasons for making summer camps a necessary part of every child's life.

• Kids & teens get ample opportunities to indulge in a variety of games and activities, which they usually don't find anywhere near them. Summer camps for kids enable your child to enjoy activities like Pottery, Comic & Animation, Painting, Horse Riding, just to name a few.

• Children naturally feel bored, if they have to repeat their daily mundane tasks during holidays. However at summer camps for kids, children and teens get to learn new skills while enjoying themselves.

• Summer camps offer great opportunities to meet and befriend kids from other schools, cities, states and countries. They get to learn to new skills while enjoying themselves.

• They learn to be independent, self reliant, confident and creative. Besides learning new games and skills, they also become more tolerant and cooperative.

Our 4 week Performing Arts Camp starts Monday, July 18th, 2016. Please call 0809 357 1000 for registration.

Tips to a Great Audition

Going for an audition is perhaps one of the scariest parts of the theater, however it is a necessary part of being involved in the performing arts. If your child wants to be involved in the theater, knowing how to audition is a skill they will need to learn. While the process is not necessarily difficult, it can be more than just a little nerve- wracking, especially for younger children. The more you understand he process, the easier auditioning becomes.
The most important thing is to make a positive impression on the auditioning panel and listed below are things you should know in order to make the best impression possible.

Act. Don't just read: Remember, you are auditioning to act in play. There are times when simply being a cute child is enough, but for most part , the auditioning panel are looking for actors. So many people stand before the director and read the lines they were given, but when someone really tries to act out the part, they make a big impression. And that's what you want.... To stand out from the crowd!

Learn a little bit about the play you are auditioning: With a little bit of searching, you can find a bit of searching, you can find a brief description or an idea of what the play is all about. The more you understand the play and the characters, the more you will be able to do with the piece of script you will be given to audition with. In order to make the best impression, you should make every effort to come earlier, The later in the audition it gets, the harder it is, to make an impression, and have the director remember you and your performances.

Slow down and enunciate every word: One sure sign of nervousness is speeding through the lines. When you talk too fast, it is harder to make sure each word is understood, and the emotion that should accompany those words does not come through. Slow down an make sure you say each word clearly. Remember, you don't simply read the lines, speak the lines like your character is a real person having a real conversation.

Have something to audition with: This tip is mainly for parents of small children. If your child cannot read well, it is difficult to make a decision on how to cast them in a play. Sometimes just being cute isn't enough to land them a part. It is very awkward for the child and the auditioning panel to have a young child stand in front of the table with nothing to say.
You can help your child by working with them to learn a short poem or nursery rhyme to recite in front of the director. It doesn't have to be something long. The whole idea is to know that your child is not going to freeze when they are asked to go on stage before a live audience.

If you make a mistake, battle through it: Even the best actors occasionally make mistakes on stage but good actors know how to work through their mistakes without letting the audience realize that a mistake was made. One thing the auditioning panel will look out for is poise. If you make a mistake, don't apologize. Don't ask to start over, just pick up from where the mistake was made and push forward.

The Good, the Fun, And the Excitement at Easter Camp 2016!

...Refusing to be Ordinary!!!

The SPAN-HOG Easter camp 2016 which took place on March 27th, till April 9th, 2016 was a beehive of fun activities. There were lots of dancing, singing, drawing, swimming, drama and leadership programs.
The children got to explore their creative sides, and develop the spirit of team building.

They also got to learn the value of money, how to save, and work with a budget at the basic financial analysis lessons facilitated by the highly reputed Access Bank, PLC.

It was also exciting watching them in character in the drama presentation of 'Pirate Joe'. They learnt and portray their lines vigorously to a standing ovation by the audience.

Dance was a favourite time at the camp...

After some exciting dance routines, the kids are taken outside for a swim...

The last day of camp, which was also the highlight was when the children got to put together a presentation which comprised of all they learnt. Certificates of participation were also presented.

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!

Real-Life Drama

As most people will say, “It’s just drama, just drama class. It’s not important”

 Except that we know the importance of the Helen O’Grady Drama program.

Our academy is one of the few places where real world life skills are taught. You know them. Communication, self-confidence, self-evaluation, creative thinking – these are the skills beyond the classroom, beyond school, right? Life skills, pretty much what everybody needs.

The drama classroom Theatre is such an amazing, amazing platform that we can really address so many things and kind of get a practice run at things that we don’t really get to practice in life sometimes. It’s just so open. But it’s also so free in that they’re exploring a character. Every time they say the line, it could come out differently and someone’s going to respond to them differently, and by using those stories and by using their experiences, you know, they get to make it their own.They enjoy taking a moment to watch their friends or taking a moment to be the center of attention.

As they advance in their drama lessons, we see then change , we‘ve seen them learn things by creating self-confidence in them, creating team and group work, the ability to listen, as well as other skills that will help them to be the best they can be no matter the type of profession they go for.