NEWSLETTER - August 2008

Dear Parents and Pupils,

Our recent show at the Hazlitt Theatre, ‘A Lovely Pantomime’ was a huge success. Thank you to everyone – the students; backstage helpers, teachers, parents and of course to Shannon Harris and Laura Flawn for such a fantastic script and songs. I am also grateful to Moira Miller (former Principal) for agreeing to take part – it was lovely to see her in action again! If you go to the website, you’ll see over 50 photos of the show. Next year, the whole school will have the opportunity to participate in Prima Showcase 2009 (rehearsals and 5 performances - Sun. 5th July to Sat. 11th July 2009 - please keep free)! I know it’s nearly a whole year away, but to enable me to put these annual shows on, I rely heavily on the support of parents (and grandparents)! helping backstage. However, for a 5 performance show, KCC states that helpers should have a chaperone’s licence. For the 2007 Showcase I had approx. 60 helpers – so to enable next year’s show to go ahead, I will need the same! To apply for a licence, please Tel. Louise King at KCC on 01233 898674. It doesn’t cost anything, but it will involve a short interview and a CRB check.

EXAM RESULTS At the time of writing, I have only had the results from the session on Monday 21 July. This was mostly the Intermediate Modern Jazz students and they have all done extremely well having learnt the syllabus in two terms (the average time spent learning an intermediate syllabus is 15 months!). The highest marks of 88% were achieved by Lizzie Croucher and Yasmin McCullough, but congratulations also to Jessica Calderwood, Sophie Hunt and Harriet Sutherland who all did really well, scoring high ‘commended’ marks.

TEACHERS I welcome Natalie Eacersall MA Theatre Practices, BA (Hons) Film & Drama to Prima Stage School. Natalie is a professional actress, having graduated from Rose Bruford College with an MA in Theatre Practices. She also studied for her BA Degree in Film & Drama at The University of Reading. Natalie loves to sing and dance and has lead various youth theatre workshops and has already offered her expertise and help with our own Musical theatre and singing classes. She will be leading the new senior Theatre Group and will also help Shannon with the Saturday group occasionally. Natalie is also still really keen to start an adult drama group. We tried setting up adult classes at the beginning of the year with no success. Since then, I have had a couple of outside enquiries for such a class – if any adult (18+) is interested – please let me know.

THEATRE TRIP Northern Ballet Theatre ‘A Midsummer Night's Dream’ Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury – Thurs. 30th Oct. 7:30pm
I have made a provisional booking for the above and reserved 40 seats - tickets are just £10.00 each. If we go by coach, depending on numbers, cost for coach will be between £10 and £13. If less than 30 people interested, then possibly travelling in smaller groups by car would be better. Northern Ballet Theatre’s work is very modern - almost contemporary and very dramatic. For further details, go to: http://www.northernballettheatre.co.uk/midsummer.html
I would recommend 8 as being youngest suitable age. Parents are welcome and children under 13 should be accompanied by a responsible adult. Please let me know by 6th September if interested in reserving tickets. No payment required until end of September

ENGLISH YOUTH BALLET and KENT YOUTH DANCE if you are looking for a show to see during the holidays, then try and support Gina Cook, Louisa Perry and Jessica and Lewis Thornton who are dancing roles in ‘Coppelia’ with the English Youth Ballet at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley, on 22 and 23 Aug. It’s a perfect ‘first’ ballet for young children to see and tickets may be purchased from the Box office Tel. 0870 060 6620 or on-line www.theambassadors.com/churchill
Billie Devyea, Poppy Jones-Reid, Sophie Rideout and Lucy Rowe are dancing with Kent Youth Dance ‘Excerpts and Originals’ on Sunday 31st August at the Kings Hall Theatre, Herne Bay. For tickets go Tel. 01227 373322 or go to www.kingscaterers.co.uk

FEE PAYMENT I am recommending that if at all possible, payments to be made on-line. With so many cheques processed, it means my bank charges are high and I’m looking at ways to reduce costs. My bank details are as follows:

Account Name : Prima Stage School Bank: The Royal Bank Of Scotland
Account No. 10071389 Sort Code 162464

However, my mum (Joan Baker) deals with all incoming fees for me and does the banking. She will not know if a parent’s surname differs from the child. Can I ask the attached invoice is returned with details of date and amount money transferred and parent’s name if different from child.
Payment by cheque is fine, but, if you pay by this method, please include all siblings on one cheque (just write details on back of cheque). I often receive separate cheques for siblings and each cheque costs 26p to process.

PRESENTATION SHOW I have already mentioned that there will be a show for the whole school next July. Also, on 14th December, we will be having a Presentation Show at the Exchange Studio, Maidstone. As the Exchange Studio is only 2/3 the size it used to be, there will be two performances with award and certificate presentations, as follows: 14:00 – 15:30pm – under 11’s. 16:30 – 18:30 – 11+ Yrs. Further details to follows, but please keep free. This is a chance for me to award deserving pupils in various categories. All pupils attending the junior show will receive a performance certificate and as per last time, there will be loyalty medals awarded to pupils who have been with Prima for 5 (bronze); 8 (Silver) and 10+ years (Gold).

CHOROEGRAPHIC COMPETITION this will take place on 7th December held in the Invicta Studios. There will be nine categories as follows: Solos, Duets and Trios/Quartets: 7-10 yrs; 11-13 yrs; 14+ yrs; Pupils may enter as mixed ages for duets/trios/quartets, but the eldest in a group determines which category to be entered in. Entry forms will be available at the beginning of term. There will be prizes and selected winners will perform at the presentation show.

NEW CLASSES If interested in joining any of the following classes, please let me know before the start of term:

Pre-Pointe – Tuesdays, 18:00 – 18:30pm - £20.00, termly (Gde 6 Ballet and above)
Boys Contemporary Technique – Tuesdays, 19:30 – 20:00
Contemporary Performance Class – 14+ yrs (or invited younger pupils) – Tuesdays, 20:00 – 21:00 – must also do the Saturday Technique class, 11:45 – 12:45 (or attend Laban CAT)
Tap Beginners (9+ yrs) – Thursdays, 16:45 – 17:15pm
Contemporary Technique Class – 13+ yrs – Saturdays, 11:45 – 12:45

VACANCIES IN EXISTING CLASSES (Invicta studios, Larkfield Leisure Centre, nless otherwise stated)

Most ballet and tap classes have at least one or two vacancies
Modern Jazz Gde 2 – Tuesdays, 17:15 – 18:15 (12/13+ yrs)
Modern Jazz Gde 1 – Thursdays, 16:00 – 16:45 (10+ yrs)
Junior Dance Mix (including Primary Modern Jazz) – 6-8/9 yrs
Primettes 1 (Pre-Ballet for 3-4 yrs) – Fridays, 16:00 – 16:30
Musical Theatre – 6-10 yrs – Kings Hill Community Centre, Saturdays, 9:45 – 11:15am
11- 13/14 yrs – (LLC) – Saturdays, 15:00 – 16:30
Singing (6-10 yrs) – Saturdays, 10:00 – 10:45
Drama (6-8 yrs) – Saturdays, 11:30 – 12:10
Cheerleading/Street Dance Mix – 9-14 yrs - Saturdays, 14:00 – 15:0

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

START OF AUTUMN TERM – Saturday 6th September
STREET DANCE WORKSHOP WITH DELLA BHUJOO (12+ yrs, £4.50) Wed. 24 Sept; 7:30 – 8:45pm
HALF-TERM 27th October – 1st November Incl. (no classes)
Theatre Trip – Mid-Summers Night Dream – Marlowe Theatre Thurs. 30 Oct.
LAMDA DRAMA EXAMS Sun. 9 Nov
IDTA DANCE EXAMS (to definitely include Prep tap; Primary Tap; Musical theatre; Thurs Ballet Gde 5; Tues Tap Gde 3; Modern Gdes 1 and 2 Sat and Sun.22/23 Nov
CHOREOGRAPHIC COMPETITION – Prima Pupils only (winners will perform in Presentation Show 7th Dec
PRESENTATION SHOW – Exchange, Maidstone Sun. 14th December (afternoon)
END OF TERM – 14 DECEMBER