The Academy of Performing Arts

Next week is HALF-TERM week so, there will be no Academy classes running over the weekend of 16th -18th February. Enjoy the rest as, when we return, it will be four weeks of intensive Assessment preperation.

So far . . . it seems that schools have managed to remain open through these snowy conditions so, unless there is a considerable deterioration in the weather, the Wootton, Oakley and Henley-In-Arden Academies will all go ahead as planned this weekend.

Congratulations to our Henley-In-Arden Young Academy students for their fantastic production of James And The Giant Peach. The hard work in class really paid off with a thoroughly entertaining presentation on the ‘Main Stage’. Keep up the hard work now and you will keep going from strength to strength . . . WELL DONE!

The Biggleswade Academy will meet, as usual, on Thursday evening at Holmemead. A decision on the proposed move will be made by the end of the month.

We return to The Academy on the weekend of the 5th – 7th January. The term runs until the weekend of the 29th – 31st March. Half term weekend is the weekend of 16th – 18th February. See you there!!

Let me say a huge well done to our Young Academy Students (5-6 year old performing arts students) on some excellent work in the end of term demonstrations. You showed fantastic energy in performance and a real ability to hold and entertain an audience . . . let’s use all these fantastic skills as we move onto our more structured presentation term! The coming presentation will have an underwater theme and all parents and friends will be invited to see you perform at the end of term (stay tuned for dates / times). If you would like to join us for the presentation term . . . Young academy students are aged 5-6 and the session consists of a half hour drama class, half hour singing lesson and a half hour dance class . . . Places are limited but if you wish to join us under the sea next term . . . get in touch soon!!

Next term is our Assessment term . . . for the first half of term, students will work on their key skills in hour long dance classes, drama classes and singing classes . . . then, for the second half of term, our committed drama school students will work on a prepared piece to be performed and assessed at the end of term! Parents and friends are invited to watch the performance . . . stay tuned for dates / times. Please remember that the assessment are nothing to worry about! . . . They are just a useful way of gauging your progress and guiding your learning over the coming terms. We are keen that every student makes the most of their acting classes, singing lessons and dance classes . . . the assements are designed to ensure that our students continue to improve in all three disciplines of the performing arts (acting, singing & dance) and it also gives another opportunity for our students to perform in front of an audience!

We are now taking applications for the 2012 intake at The Academy of Performing Arts. With six stage schools accross Bedfordshire and Warwickshire, we hope there will be an Academy near you! If you wish to join us in 2012, please fill in an online application form or call us for a hard copy of the form and a prospectus. Spaces are now extremely limited, please act quickly if you want to join us! Bedfordshire Theatre Schools – Wootton, Oakley & Biggleswade. Warwickshire Theatre Schools – Henley In Arden. See you there soon!!

Let me say a huge WELL DONE to all students who took part in this year’s show term presentations! . . . The standard of work accross all five schools was fantastic. . . . From Oakley to Wootton to Henley In Arden, our Bedfordshire and Warwickshire theatre schools showed once again that we have a dedicated and talented collection of pupils accross the board who gave their all and were rewarded with some stunning performances. Let us take the energy and excitment from those fantastic nights of theatre into the next term and beyond as we strive to improve and progress in all three disciplines. Well done to you all . . . give yourselves a round of applause!!

Let me say a HUGE congratulations to the Biggleswade Academy who produced a fantastic performance in last night’s show term presentation of Aladdin. It was fantastic to witness your focus and comitment in performance . . . There is nothing more satisfying than watching a group of young performers reach (& exceed) their potential and you certainly did that last night!! Well done to all of you!!