Download 2016 PROSPECTUS DANCE SING ACT

TOP HAT AT THE DRURY LANE – 2015
TOP HAT STAGE SCHOOL
PO BOX 860
St Albans, Herts
AL7 9BR
[email protected]
01727 812 666
WWW.TOPHATSTAGESCHOOL.CO.UK
2016 PROSPECTUS
DANCE
SING
ACT
TOP HAT STAGE & SCREEN SCHOOL
WELCOMES YOU
Whether your child dances around in your front room or has already got some performing arts
experience, there is something to do for every child at Top Hat as every child matters. Children
do not need any experience to take part in our weekend, part-time or holiday courses; all they
need is their enthusiasm and passion. For those who wish to take their talent to a further level,
we can assist them with our very own acting agency: Top Talent Agency.
This prospectus illustrates the various courses Top Hat can offer your child. From our weekend
Stage Schools, to our weekly part-time classes or even our popular holiday courses.
qUALITY PERfORMING ARTS TRAINING
HISTORY
Top Hat was established in 1994 and has since grown and developed into Hertfordshire’s
leading and most successful independent stage school. TOP HAT continues to be
the first rung of the ladder for hundreds of aspiring young actors and actresses, many
having successfully pursued television or the stage as their full time career. Rupert
Grint (Ron from Harry Potter) attended our Hertford weekend stage school. Ed Westwick
(Chuck from Gossip Girl) attended our Stevenage stage school. Our main ethos is to
provide “Quality performing arts training”, whilst having fun in the process.
WARREN BACCI – HEAD PRINCIPAL
Warren started working at Top Hat in 2005 as resident Drama and Singing teacher.
He then took over the company in 2008, bringing new energy and enthusiasm,
moving Top Hat forward through to its second decade.
CONTENT
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
History
Weekend Stage School
Tiny Toppers
Top Hatters
Top Talent Agency
Part Time Courses
Why Chose Top Hat
As well as being a trained actor, Warren has been seen in countless TV, Films and
theatrical productions; including: The Bill, Eastenders, Waking the Dead, Silent Witness
as well as films such as: "Mrs Henderson Presents" with Judi Dench and also "28
Weeks Later". As a Teacher, Warren also boasts over 10 years of teaching experience
and working with children. He has directed and written countless shows and plays
both here in the UK and Italy. Warren also released a pop album called: Calm Before
the Storm, which is available on iTunes. Warren's wealth of performing arts experience
and teaching experience really helps to bring out the best in each and every Top
Hat student.
ANDY MUSGROVE – HEAD VICE PRINCIPAL
Andy’s background is in IT and IT Training. In 2008 Andy came on board as Vice
Principal for Top Hat. He has directed many productions for the students including:
“Rent”, “We Will Rock You”, “Clue”, “Little Shop of Horrors” & “To Kill a Mocking Bird”.
Andy also makes and designs many of the costumes for the stage school and now is
head of Finance & HR for Top Hat Stage School, Top Talent Agency and TTA Adults.
1
TINY TOPPERS
WEEKEND STAGE SCHOOL
AGE 4-5
Our “Tiny Toppers” class is for children aged between 4-5 years. Classes are 2-hour
sessions each week and they will be introduced to a variety of different activities such
as: dance (Tap as well as Modern); drama, singing and music & movement.
The classes will help in developing self-confidence, discipline, team-building and new
creative skills. The classes are ideal in channelling all that creative energy your little
ones may have.
They will stay with the familiar face of their teacher and will begin to develop their
skills at their own pace in a safe and caring environment.
WATCH YOUR CHILD
GROW IN CONFIDENCE
AND INTRODUCES
YOUR CHILD TO THE
WONDERFUL WORLD
OF MUSIC, DANCE
AND DRAMA.
During the session, there will also be time for a break, where the children can enjoy
some time with their fellow classmates.
These classes provide a firm foundation for progression into the older classes.
TINY
TOPPERS
DRAMA
focuses on developing self-confidence,
performance techniques & communication
skills through a range of lively activities.
They will explore wonderful characters
& sounds, encouraging expression and
imagination through a wide range of fun
activities and captivating dramatic
story-telling.
WEEKEND STAGE SCHOOL
AGE 4-17
Top Hat weekend stage schools are part
time theatre arts schools for children
aged 4-17 years of age. They take place
during the weekends, during school term
time. Our aim is to offer children training
in dance, drama and singing, in a fun
and exciting environment. TOP HAT is
dedicated to developing performance
skills as well as having fun and building
self-confidence.
Students aged 4 and 5 years old attend
a 2-hour session, while the 6 years and
above attend a 3-hour session each week.
Children are divided into groups according
to their age. This ensures that each child
can be challenged and able to reach
their full potential and also so that our
classes are never too large. Our classes
also offer equal opportunities from the
experienced, the young professional or
to the newcomer with no experience at
all. Every child is welcome at Top Hat.
Our enthusiastic staff of qualified teachers
are all DBS checked and include
professional directors, actors, singers
and dancers actively involved in West
End Productions, Films and TV.
2
Top Hat is dedicated to creating friendly,
caring and inspiring classes, ensuring
each child can flourish and make new
friends with fellow thespians.
TOP HAT IS
DEDICATED TO
CREATING A
FRIENDLY CARING
AND INSPIRING
CLASSES, ENSURING
EACH CHILD
CAN FLOURISH
AND MAKE NEW
FRIENDS WITH
FELLOW THESPIANS
TINY
TOPPERS
DANCE
introduces 4 and 5 year olds into the
exciting world of dance for all levels of
experience. This will help in developing
balance and posture as well as
coordination and basic rhythm. They
will learn both Modern and Tap dance
styles through fun pop music as well
as musical theatre songs.
TINY
TOPPERS
SINGING
encourages confidence and also introduces
them to basic articulation. Children will
be introduced to new and fun singing
exercises and warm ups, with the main
emphasis on having fun. They will sing
along to their favourite pop songs as well
as musical theatre; whilst having fun with
colourful props and shakers.
3
TOP HATTERS
WEEKEND STAGE SCHOOL AGE 6-17
TOP HAT ELITE
OUR “TOP HAT ELITE” GROUPS ARE AUDITION ONLY GROUPS
fOR 11-18 YEARS. SO THESE ENCOMPASS SOME Of OUR
BEST STUDENTS.
Our Top Hatter students are our 6-17 year olds and are divided into Stage 2, Stage 3
and Stage 4. They attend 3 hours per week, where they study an hour each of
dramatic arts, voice coaching and dance technique. All lessons are taught by
qualified, experienced professionals. TOP HAT is far more than just a Stage School,
it is a meeting place where children and teenagers aged 6-17 can meet every week
and socialise together whilst discovering new talents, and making new friends with
common interests.
DRAMATIC
ARTS
A range of carefully selected
drama games and technique
exercises are used to develop
self confidence and performance
skills. We encourage individual
expression and focus on developing
the use of their own thoughts and
feelings in their work. A variety of
script work, improvisations and
games will form an integral part of
this class, as well as working on
end of term presentations, and
Summer and Christmas shows.
4
TOP HAT DANCE TROUPE meets every Sunday and is an award winning
Troupe called HatTrix. They take part in all the main Top Hat shows and compete
in dance competitions across the country.
TOP HAT CHOIR meets every Monday and is called TopTrix. This encompasses
some of our best singers across all the Top Hat schools. We are known for our
acapella vocal group. The choir performs at all the Top Hat shows and various
events across Herts.
SINGING/
VOICE
COACHING
TOP HAT YOUTH THEATRE are our audition only productions. We perform
with a full live band and past shows have included: “Rent”, “We Will Rock You”,
“Billy Elliott”, “To Kill a Mocking Bird”, “Little Shop of Horrors” and many more.
Students will work on improving
their vocal strength and begin to
understand the importance of
breathing techniques, rhythm and
voice work. They will be introduced
to a variety of musical scores
(Pop, Modern and West End)
from our fully trained vocal
coaches.
DANCE
PERfORMANCES
We focus on learning basic jazz
technique and a variety of modern
styles, whilst also being introduced
to tap. Students will learn how to
use and shape their bodies, as
well as strengthen posture and
improve coordination.
It is extremely important that
students perform their work in
front of a live audience. Top Hat
invite family, friends and relatives
to watch different presentations,
culminating in our large scale
Summer & Christmas Shows
in professional theatres. Our
productions involve all Top Hat
students.
5
TOP TALENT AGENCY
We also run our own sister company: TOP TALENT AGENCY. Representing
students from Top Hat Stage School who are ready for this step in their career
and prepared to go to professional castings. We have 2 divisions: TTA Kids &
TTA Adults.
Top Talent Agency, aka TTA have placed hundreds of children in top TV, Film &
Commercial roles, as well as modelling and West End Theatre. We represent
over 200 children and we welcome new talent to apply throughout the year. We
hold two auditions per year, one in February and one in August. These help us to
find the very best talent in which we carefully select only a handful in each age
category.
If your child is selected to join Top Talent Agency, we arrange a photo shoot for
your child and they have their own unique web page which includes their photos,
credits and even a video show-reel.
PART TIME COURSES
HOLIDAY COURSES
Top Hat’s Holiday courses place during the summer holidays. They are great fun and
excellent for confidence building for all ages as students put on a show in just one week.
ISTD DANCE CLASSES
We run Tap, Ballet & Modern ISTD examination classes during the week, during
school term time. They are 10-week terms where children of all levels are welcome
aged 5-17 years.
LAMDA ACTING & MUSICAL
THEATRE CLASSES
LAMDA is a national wide accreditations meaning you know that your child is attaining
a worthwhile and valuable qualification whilst having fun. LAMDA certificates are great
to obtain for any child wishing to further their career in the performing arts, but as well
as that, it will support the creative, intellectual and social development of your child.
ADULT CLASSES
These classes are tailored for the over 20s and are suitable for adults who wish to
brush up on existing skills they may have, as well as being fun classes for those who
wish to try something different or perhaps even take up a new hobby
TOP HAT PARTIES
Top Hat also offers birthday parties for children between 4-11 years. Our highly
experienced teachers can come to your home or a venue of your choice and
entertain your child with fun games and songs and dance routines.
AfTER SCHOOL CLUBS
We provide Musical Theatre, Drama, Dance or Singing after school clubs. We are
very flexible and can adapt to suit your schools requirements. The after school club
provides the children with a fun, informative and energetic hour after the school day
has finished to build their confidence and singing, dance and drama skills.
TOP TALENT AGENCY CREDITS INCLUDE:
WEST END:
Matilda, Billy Elliott, Mary Poppins, Lion King, Joseph,
The Snowman, Oliver
COMMERCIALS: McDonalds, Tango, Airwick, Maltesers, Thompson Travel,
Co-op, BBC, Mars,
MODELLING:
M&S, Littlewoods, Cambridge University, E.ON,
fILMS:
Star Wars, Child 44, Nativity 3, Grimsby, The Huntsman,
Black Sea and many more.
TV:
The Worst Witch, Dickensian, Call the Midwife, Holby City,
Eastenders, The Escape Artist, Hetty Feather, Jamillah &
Aladdin, also many short films, Music Videos and
Corporate Jobs
www.toptalentagency.co.uk
WHY CHOOSE TOP HAT?
With over 20 years’ experience as
Hertfordshire’s leading independent
Stage and Screen School, we feel we
have the experience and commitment to
offer your child the very best in Theatre
Arts Training.
When your child joins Top Hat, your child
along with yourselves, will be joining
something special. An affiliation and
friendship that we hope will last for many
years, providing a solid base on which
your child will thrive. We operate an
open door policy whereby all Top Hat
students and parents are able to
communicate their views, feelings and
suggestions through the teaching staff
or directly to ourselves, whereby
improvements may be made.
TEACHERS
Our teachers are carefully selected and
auditioned. All are professionals within the
Theatre Arts, many of whom are actively
involved in West End Productions, T.V
and Films and have been working with
Top Hat for many years. All of our teachers
are police checked and first aid trained.
UNIfORMS
We encourage all students to wear the
Top Hat uniform, which can be purchased
direct through the schools. We find
through talking to the children that most
of them are proud to wear their uniform
and be affiliated to Top Hat.
fINAL STATEMENT
Every student can benefit in some way
from the Performing Arts. Developing
co-ordination, articulation and projection,
as well as learning new skills such as
dance and singing.
Some join our school to actively pursue
a career in the Industry or simply to
overcome their shyness or increase their
confidence. It is also great for meeting
new friends and creating lifelong
experiences they will never forget.
Our main ethos is providing “quality
performing arts training for all” and
we focus on building self confidence
in every child, ensuring they take part
and have fun along the way.
You are very welcome to bring your
child for a free trial first.