Download NEWSLETTER 21 – NOVEMBER 2012 GENERAL NOTES As I

NEWSLETTER 21 – NOVEMBER 2012
GENERAL NOTES
As I mentioned at the start of the last Newsletter we need to be running a full school in order to keep our fees
down. This means we should have 30 students in each class. At the start of this term we had just 23 juniors and
29 seniors. We did, as also mentioned last time, run an extensive advertising campaign but of course this was not
without quite considerable financial cost. However, we have recruited a number of new junior students over
recent weeks and have ended the term with 29 students in each class.
Sadly, a number of students are leaving us at the end of this term - several of whom have been coming to
StageWorks for 6 or 7 years. I will personally miss them all and wish them well for the future and hope that
they will come back to Summer School next year and also benefit long term from their time at StageWorks.
If you have not already done so please help us by responding, as quickly as possible, to the letters your child was
given a couple of weeks ago asking you to tell us if you want a place next term. Payment cheques will not be
cashed until the first week of next term and you can always talk, in confidence, to a member of our staff if you
are having any difficulty.
We do still need more help with our Tuck Shop and Coffee Shop. This is an important part of our operation not
only for our students but also for our volunteers and parents. We do in fact make a small profit from this
activity due to the additional sales to children attending the Albaraca School. Please contact Lindsey Alcock
[email protected] if you are available to help out at all - it does not have to be on a weekly basis
throughout the term - even if you could come along for one or two sessions it would be a great help. .
There will be a collection at the end of the performance today for our charity which is the local Grangewood
School for handicapped children.
NEWS ABOUT THIS TERM
The Junior class has been working on a short extract from The Wizard of Oz for our end of term show. In
order to give as many children as possible a chance to play a part we held short auditions for each main part and
ended up with 6 girls playing Dorothy each having a scene of their own.
The Senior class continues to flourish. Earlier in the term we spent some time on group improvisations and what
proved to be some very emotional monologues. The last few weeks have been spent focussing on extracts from
two Willy Russell plays, a dance routine and a medley of songs from Les Miserables.
SUMMER SCHOOL 2012/2013
In July, the day after the schools broke up for the summer 53 students came together at Bishop Ramsey school
to start a week long journey working on FAME the musical. By the Friday afternoon we were ready to move
students, musicians, costumes, props, scenery and Tuck shop into Winston Churchill Theatre for our final
performances.
The two performances on the Saturday, just one week after we started, were truly amazing - you may have seen
the extensive coverage we received in the local press which was full of praise.
This year we were faced with many logistical issues due to the renovations taking place at the theatre but we
triumphed through and in fact, using the school and moving to the theatre later in the week is most likely going
to be how we will operate again next year.
The only disappointment was the lack of audience support from our Saturday students who did not attend the
school nevertheless we nearly sold out for both performances this year.
And now I have to find something for us to do in 2013 which will top FAME - not an easy task but I am already
working on it and our Steering Group is meeting regularly to set the wheels on motion for next year.
All StageWorks students over the age of 8 will be given Summer School Application packs around the middle of
February next year. The dates of the school are 27th July to 3rd August and if you do want to come I suggest
you get your application forms in VERY quickly. This year we only had a few spaces left for older boys just 10
days after we launched the publicity in February.
OTHER THEATRICAL APPEARANCES AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
I have not been made aware of any specific appearances or achievements this term however I am happy to
report that quite a few of our senior students are developing their music talents and we often have a crowd of
students around the keyboard or piano before the class starts having a 'jam session' with one or two making the
music while others sing!
TERM DATES
12th JANUARY – 23rd MARCH 2013
20th APRIL – 29th JUNE 2013
21st SEPTEMBER – 30th NOVEMBER 2013
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE NEVER CLOSE DURING OUR TERM FOR ANY HALF TERM BREAK.
END OF TERM SHOWS WILL TAKE PLACE ON 23RD MARCH AND 30 TH NOVEMBER IN 2013. WE DO
NOT PERFORM AT THE END OF JUNE BUT WE MAY HAVE A SOCIAL EVENT, SUCH AS A PICNIC,
IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE LAST CLASS AT THE END OF JUNE.
COMMUNICATIONS
StageWorks mobile – to inform of absence from class – 07910311348
Contact Ann Hertler-Smith on any matters relating to StageWorks [email protected]
Visit our website at http://www.rosstageworks.org the site is updated regularly which means that you can keep
up to date with what is happening.
AND FINALLY
Somewhat early I wish you all a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and a wonderful 2013!