STAR 1 2 & 3 Archives

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Spotlights Guide to Rehearsals – Our Top 10 Tips

Thursday, December 19th, 2024

Theatre rehearsals are an exciting and essential part of the journey for young performers! At our performing arts school, we believe that mastering the right drama rehearsal techniques can make all the difference in helping children shine on stage.

Rehearsals are more than just learning lines – they’re about discovering how to work with other characters, building confidence, and exploring creative choices. Each child’s aims are unique, but the magic truly happens when everyone comes together as a group, supporting each other and bringing their characters to life with energy and enthusiasm.

In this blog, we’ll share some fun and practical tips to help children make the most of every rehearsal, whether they’re acting, dancing, or singing. So, let’s get ready to have fun, learn, and create something amazing together!

10 Tips and Drama Rehearsal Techniques for Kids

Rehearsals are the heart of any production, offering the opportunity to refine your skills and bring your character to life. Our theatre classes are designed to help young actors grow, and these 10 essential tips will ensure that every rehearsal is a step forward in your journey as a performer.

1. Be prepared!

Read through the whole script, so you understand the story you’re working on. Read through your lines, sing through your songs and practice your dance steps. The more you prepare, the more confident you’ll be in rehearsals.

2. Makes notes – in pencil

Bring your script and a pencil to each rehearsal. In pencil, in your script, write down any stage directions or notes you’re given. The directions may change as you work on the show, so write in pencil, not pen. When you get home, practice your material and the directions you’ve been given.

3. Make courageous decisions

Make choices and decisions about your character that are brave and bold. The director/choreographer/singing coach will tell you if you’ve gone too far. Interesting character choices are fun to watch on stage and you’ll have fun playing them.

4. Learn the language of the stage

The director will speak in the ‘language of the stage’ during the rehearsals. They’ll ask you to move downstage centre or upstage right. Make sure you know what these directions and language terms mean. If you’re not sure, ask them and they’ll help you understand these terms.

5. There are no small parts

It doesn’t matter about the size of the role you’re playing or the number of lines you have. In each production, everyone can shine. If you approach each rehearsal with energy, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, you’ll stand out on stage and the audience will love your performance!

6. Be a good team player

An essential part of a successful production is being a good team player. Remember to look after each other and be supportive of others. Kind words of praise and encouragement can really make a difference.

7. Focus and energy

There may be times in rehearsals when the director/choreographer/singing coach has their attention focused on another actor. Make sure that when it’s your turn to rehearse your scene/dance/song, that you’re ready. Make sure you’re focused and full of energy. Rehearsal time is precious and every second counts.

You Might Like: 10 Ideas for Making Your Own Character in Theatre

8. It’s okay to make mistakes

It’s okay to make mistakes in rehearsals, that’s what they’re for. Don’t worry if you don’t achieve what you set out to achieve, the first time you do it, keep trying and keep smiling!

9. Learn your material

Learn your material as quickly as you can, this will give you the maximum amount of time in rehearsals, to work on your material without having to think about what you do or say next. Memorising lines will help you to deliver a natural and convincing performance.

10. Have fun and enjoy the process

Decide to have fun and enjoy the rehearsal process and you will learn so much, not only from what you’re doing, but you can learn so much from others too.

Learn More: 10 Things to Look For In a Theatre School for Kids

Drama Rehearsal Techniques for Older Children

As students develop their acting skills, exploring advanced drama techniques helps deepen their performances. Here are a few effective methods:

Role Play: Stepping into different characters and scenarios helps students understand their role from various perspectives, making the character more authentic.
Thought Tracking: During a scene, students pause to share their character’s internal thoughts, revealing hidden emotions and motivations that add depth to their performance.
Conscience Alley: This exercise allows students to explore inner conflict. They form two lines and debate opposing viewpoints, guiding the character to make a decision.
Space Awareness: Understanding how to use space on stage—whether it’s a small room or a large auditorium—can change the atmosphere and influence the performance.
Point and Moment: Focusing on key moments in the scene helps students pinpoint emotional shifts and create more impactful actions.

Find Out More: How To Help Your Child Audition For a Movie

Looking for Musical Theatre Classes for Kids in London?

Incorporating these drama rehearsal techniques will help young performers build confidence, enhance their creativity, and take their performances to the next level. At Spotlights, we’re dedicated to nurturing the talents of every child, offering classes that encourage exploration, teamwork, and fun.

Our range of weekly classes and holiday workshops cater to children of all ages and skill levels, making it an inclusive and nurturing environment for all.

Book your free trial or get in touch for more information!

Drama Rehearsal Techniques FAQs

Why is preparation so important for a successful rehearsal?

Being prepared means you can fully engage with the material, whether it’s your lines, songs, or dance steps. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel, allowing you to focus on bringing your character to life and improving your performance.

What is role play in drama rehearsals?

Role play allows children to step into different characters and situations, helping them understand their role from new perspectives. It encourages creativity and brings depth to their performance.

How can I stay motivated and positive during rehearsals?

It’s essential to embrace a positive mindset and remember that mistakes are part of the learning process. Keep your energy high, support your fellow performers, and focus on enjoying the journey. This approach will help you grow as a performer and contribute to a successful rehearsal environment.

Tags: Rehearsal, Top Tips
Posted in Blog, STAR 1 2 & 3 | Comments Off on Spotlights Guide to Rehearsals – Our Top 10 Tips

Step into the Spotlight: A Magical Summer Workshop Inspired by The Greatest Showman!

Thursday, July 4th, 2024

As summer approaches, the excitement of long, sunny days fills the air. For parents, finding the perfect activity to keep their children entertained, engaged, and learning can be a challenge. Spotlights Theatre School offers an unforgettable solution: a summer workshop based on the hit movie The Greatest Showman. This immersive, week-long experience is the ideal way for children aged 7 to 18 to explore the world of performing arts, make new friends, and develop a wide range of skills.

The Greatest Showman Week Details

Our Greatest Showman Week workshop runs Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3.00pm. Here are the dates and locations:

Balgowan Primary School, Beckenham: Monday 22nd July to Friday 26th July.

7-9 year olds Book here
10-12 year olds Book here
13-18 year olds Book here

Newstead Wood School, Orpington: Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August.

7-9 year olds Book here
10-12 year olds Book here
13-18 year olds Book here

Affordable and Accessible

Spotlights Theatre School believes in making performing arts accessible to as many children as possible. The price for the week-long workshop is £180, which represents excellent value for the high-quality instruction and unique experience provided. Additionally, a 10% discount is available for siblings, making it easier for families to participate. All resources and costume provided for the performance.

An Unforgettable Experience

Imagine your child stepping into the enchanting world of The Greatest Showman. From the moment they arrive each day, they’ll be transported into a realm of music, dance, and drama. Running from Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, the workshop promises a week filled with creativity and fun.

The first opportunity to attend this magical workshop is from 22nd July to 26th July at Balgowan School in Beckenham. Following this, from 29th July to 2nd August, the workshop will be held at Newstead Wood School in Orpington. With such convenient locations, it’s easy for families across the region to join in the fun.

A Week of Creativity and Fun

Each day of the workshop is meticulously planned to ensure a balance of learning, practice, and play. Children will dive into the heart of performing arts, exploring singing, dancing, and acting. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, they’ll learn to perform songs and scenes from The Greatest Showman, culminating in a spectacular costumed performance at the end of the week.

Spotlights Theatre School provides all costumes, ensuring that each child feels like a star as they take to the stage. This final performance is a highlight for many, giving family and friends the chance to see the incredible progress made throughout the week.

Why Choose Performing Arts?

The benefits of children attending performing arts classes are numerous and far-reaching. Here are some of the key advantages your child will gain from participating in the Spotlights Theatre School summer workshop:

Boosted Confidence: Performing in front of others helps children build self-esteem and confidence. By the end of the week, even the most reserved participants often find themselves shining on stage.
Enhanced Creativity: Performing arts encourage children to think outside the box, experiment with new ideas, and express themselves in unique ways. This creativity can translate into other areas of their lives, fostering innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Improved Social Skills: Working closely with peers to create a performance helps children develop teamwork and communication skills. They’ll make new friends and learn the value of collaboration and mutual support.
Physical Fitness: Dancing and acting involve physical activity, which helps children stay active and healthy. It’s a fun way to exercise without even realizing it!
Discipline and Focus: Learning lines, choreography, and songs requires practice and dedication. Children will develop a sense of discipline and the ability to focus on tasks, skills that are valuable in all aspects of life.

What to Expect

Here’s a glimpse of what a typical day at the workshop might look like:

9:30 am – 10:00 am: Warm-up and introduction. Children will start the day with fun exercises to get their bodies moving and minds engaged.
10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Singing and vocal training. Participants will work on songs from The Greatest Showman, learning techniques to improve their vocal performance.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch break. A time for children to relax, eat, and socialize with new friends.
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Dance and choreography. Children will learn exciting dance routines, combining movement with music to bring scenes to life.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm: Acting and scene work. This session focuses on acting skills, helping children to embody their characters and perform with confidence.

A Memorable Performance

The highlight of the week is undoubtedly the final performance. On Friday afternoon, family and friends are invited to watch as the children showcase their hard work in a costumed performance of scenes from The Greatest Showman. This event is a celebration of their achievements and a wonderful opportunity for parents to see their children’s newfound skills and confidence.

How to Register

Booking a place for your child is simple. All the booking links are here:

Balgowan Primary School, Beckenham: Monday 22nd July to Friday 26th July.

7-9 year olds Book here
10-12 year olds Book here
13-18 year olds Book here

Newstead Wood School, Orpington: Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August.

7-9 year olds Book here
10-12 year olds Book here
13-18 year olds Book here

Click on a link and fill out the registration form for the workshop location and date that suits you. Spaces are limited and tend to fill up quickly, so early booking is recommended.

Join the Magic of Spotlights Theatre School

Don’t miss this chance to give your child a summer experience they’ll never forget. The Spotlights Theatre School summer workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn, grow, and shine. Whether your child dreams of being on stage or simply wants to try something new, this workshop is the perfect way to make the most of their summer holidays.

Let your child step into the spotlight and discover the magic of The Greatest Showman!

We also have Disney themed summer workshops for younger ones age 4-7 years. More details are available on our holiday classes page

Posted in Blog, STAR 1 2 & 3, Summer School, The Greatest Showman | Comments Off on Step into the Spotlight: A Magical Summer Workshop Inspired by The Greatest Showman!

Autumn term classes for 7-16 year olds

Thursday, September 26th, 2019

Autumn Term classes for 7-16 Year Olds

It’s the start of a new term at Spotlights. That means for our students in Stars 1,2&3 (age 7-16) it’s time to develop new skills and techniques in drama, dance and singing. At the end of this term they will present a showcase of class work to family and friends.

We are now working on an exciting mix of musical theatre numbers as well as the latest pop songs and street dance tracks. In drama we are working on some classic scripts and every child will have a part to play.

This term is a great opportunity for existing students to get their skills up to the next level. For new students it’s really exciting to see how much they can pick up in a short time when they present their classwork at the end of term showcase.

If you would like to find out more about our classes are how we help students realise their potential please get in touch.

Tags: Dance, Drama, main school, Singing, stars 123
Posted in Blog, STAR 1 2 & 3 | No Comments »

Peter Pan for 4-6 year olds

Thursday, May 16th, 2019

Peter Pan for 4-6 Year Olds

Every term our pupils age 4-6 at our Little Stars classes take part in a mini-musical.

This summer term our Little Stars will be having an adventure in Neverland with Peter Pan, Wendy, and all their friends.

They will be introduced to the characters in this story by our amazing teachers through fun games and drama techniques. As the weeks progress, all the kids will have the chance to learn funky dance routines and songs from this classic tale.

Every child has a part to play with their own script and lines of dialogue. At the end of the term family and friends are invited to come and watch an awesome show. We provide the kids with a costume that’s just right for them and their character.

If you would like your child to take part in our next mini-musical project please get in touch to arrange a free trial class.

Tags: Dance, Drama, Little Stars, Peter Pan, Singing, summer term
Posted in Blog, STAR 1 2 & 3 | No Comments »

Summertime classes for 7-16 year olds

Thursday, May 16th, 2019

Summertime classes for 7-16 Year Olds

It’s summertime at Spotlights. That means for our students in Stars 1,2&3 (age 7-16) it’s time to try out new skills and techniques in drama, dance and singing. There is no pressure of a show this summer term so it’s time to get creative with our class content.

We are now working on the absolute freshest material from artists such as Rag’n’Bone Man and Calvin Harris in singing; Zookeper in dance and movie scripts from Hollywood blockbusters in drama.

We change up the content every few weeks in each class to keep everyone excited about the next mini project.

This term is a great opportunity for our students and teachers to try out new techniques. Some examples include a “hot seating” technique in drama. This allows every child the opportunity to develop a character from a script. The character is brought alive away from the dialogue that is set in the script. Each student can make the character their own and this develops their confidence in performance.

In singing, we are focusing on solos and duets and some beautiful harmonies in class groups. We have even found that without the pressure of performing to an outside audience some of the shyer singers are happy to try solo singing. We will encourage those individuals and maybe they will sing a solo in their next show to family and friends.

In dance, the students are learning how to dance as an ensemble which requires teamwork. Individually each student is being encouraged to perfect their own street dance technique. Our professional choreographer is putting together some dances with a street attitude. We are looking forward to developing these techniques further ready for our next showcase at the end of the year.

If you would like to find out more about our classes are how we help students realise their potential please get in touch.

Tags: Dance, Drama, main school, Singing, stars 123, summer term
Posted in Blog, STAR 1 2 & 3 | No Comments »

Spotlight on the Davey family

Thursday, August 25th, 2016

This week we checked in with the Davey family to find out how Emma (age 9) and Jack (age 6) have been doing in our drama, dance and singing classes in Orpington.

Both Emma and Jack started in our Little Stars class at the age of 4. Emma has now graduated into our three hour Saturday session at Newstead Wood School. We asked their Dad, Dan, what attracted them to Spotlights in the first place:

“Emma always enjoyed dancing and singing around the house. Jack saw his sister enjoying herself at Spotlights and so wanted to join too.”

Dan first became aware of Spotlights at a school fete where our students were presenting some dancing and singing, “we had seen a class perform at a school fete so this had got our attention. The class was also in the local area and covered different areas of performance to help grow kids’ confidence – that’s why I chose Spotlights.”

It is always interesting to hear what children themselves say to their parents about our classes. Dan admits that Emma and Jack tell him, “Sometimes nothing!! But mostly quite a lot about the fun they have had with their friends. Usually it will be about a new dance routine or a song that they are learning.”

Emma and Jack often talk to their friends about the classes too, “Emma chats quite happily about it, rehearsing moves and practicing things with her friends while at school. Jack is different and not quite as chatty anyway, so probably only remembers to tell his friends after his performance and he can show off with a certificate!”

We love the fact that we get lots of referrals from current parents. Dan tells his friends, “the kids really seem to enjoy their time there and learn dancing, singing and acting, which so good for confidence when they are up on stage.”

When we plan our lessons in drama, dance and singing we use our unique STAR System curriculum.

The “S” in our STAR System stands for “self-confidence” and we make sure that every child is given opportunities to build their confidence in each discipline.

It’s great to hear how Emma has benefited from this, “Emma’s confidence has considerably improved as she now enjoys being on stage performing, even if she still has a few butterflies.”

The “T” in our STAR System is for “teamwork”. Dan says, “Both my children seem to realise the importance of working together for the benefit of a team, so that the overall performance is more important than the individuals.”

Each of our sessions includes dance. The “A” in our STAR System stands for “active learning”. This describes how we teach dance by getting all the children actively engaged and learning the steps from a professional teacher in performing arts.

Emma has even taken this technique outside the classroom, “Emma loves dancing best. She really enjoys music videos and copying dance moves with friends or at home, she loves the energy of the music and being able to perform to it.”

The “R” in our STAR System stands for “realising potential” and our mission is to ensure that every child we work with can realise their potential through our performing arts classes.

Dan’s view on this for Emma and Jack is, “they both come out of classes very happy and full of beans usually wanting to chat about the experience, this is so lovely to hear as a parent. Their school teachers have noted their achievements and mentioned their ability to hold their classes attention when talking about things. If they could both realise that there are opportunities out there for them growing up with a performance trained background, then this would be brilliant. Overall Spotlights does an excellent job thanks to all staff members – the kids love coming along, well done and thank you!!”

If you would like to find out more about how our drama, dance and singing classes can help your child with self-confidence, teamwork, active learning and realising their potential please get in touch to book a FREE trial class and sign up to our monthly newsletter for further updates.

Tags: Case Study, Orpington, Testimonial
Posted in Blog, Little Stars, STAR 1 2 & 3, STAR System | No Comments »

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Archive for the ‘STAR 1 2 & 3’ Category

Spotlights Guide to Rehearsals – Our Top 10 Tips

10 Tips and Drama Rehearsal Techniques for Kids

1. Be prepared!

2. Makes notes – in pencil

3. Make courageous decisions

4. Learn the language of the stage

5. There are no small parts

6. Be a good team player

7. Focus and energy

8. It’s okay to make mistakes

9. Learn your material

10. Have fun and enjoy the process

Drama Rehearsal Techniques for Older Children

Looking for Musical Theatre Classes for Kids in London?

Book your free trial or get in touch for more information!

Drama Rehearsal Techniques FAQs

Why is preparation so important for a successful rehearsal?

What is role play in drama rehearsals?

How can I stay motivated and positive during rehearsals?

Step into the Spotlight: A Magical Summer Workshop Inspired by The Greatest Showman!

The Greatest Showman Week Details

Balgowan Primary School, Beckenham: Monday 22nd July to Friday 26th July.

Newstead Wood School, Orpington: Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August.

Affordable and Accessible

An Unforgettable Experience

A Week of Creativity and Fun

Why Choose Performing Arts?

What to Expect

A Memorable Performance

How to Register

Balgowan Primary School, Beckenham: Monday 22nd July to Friday 26th July.

Newstead Wood School, Orpington: Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August.

Join the Magic of Spotlights Theatre School

Autumn term classes for 7-16 year olds

Autumn Term classes for 7-16 Year Olds

Peter Pan for 4-6 year olds

Peter Pan for 4-6 Year Olds

Summertime classes for 7-16 year olds

Summertime classes for 7-16 Year Olds

Spotlight on the Davey family

This week we checked in with the Davey family to find out how Emma (age 9) and Jack (age 6) have been doing in our drama, dance and singing classes in Orpington.

If you would like to find out more about how our drama, dance and singing classes can help your child with self-confidence, teamwork, active learning and realising their potential please get in touch to book a FREE trial class and sign up to our monthly newsletter for further updates.

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