GEORGE - During a special meeting with a group of drama enthusiasts, an interesting discussion unfolded regarding the importance of drama in children's development.

The group consisted of a drama school teacher from George High, Tanita da Silva, three drama teachers from the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy, namely Cati Mansour-van Pletzen and Li Parker of George and the national franchisor, Vicky Stroud of Port Elizabeth, the puppet builder Roger Titley of Hoekwil and a visiting producer from The Art Institute of Seattle, David Christensen.
Each participant had valuable information to share, which helped the formulation of a good perspective on the subject.
The Helen O' Grady teachers pointed out the unique way in which drama helps children to develop a good self-image. According to Vicky, their academy provides its young people with a self-development programme designed to increase confidence, self-esteem, communicative ability and creative talents.
Their programme focuses on fun, through which young people develop clear, articulate speech, the ability to converse and discuss.

"The aim is to tap into the child's natural interests and channel these to develop confidence," says Vicky.
Tanita, who is both a maths and drama teacher for George High, took 20 children to the KKNK for a workshop. She fully understands the benefit of exposing children to different ideas and environments whilst fostering a love for drama in a more intellectual scholastic system. Tanita includes workshops with different actors, such as Guys de Villiers, in the curriculum.

In his own way, David remembers how his school teachers fostered the traits that nurture creativity.
He explains that a child needs a safe environment to explore and observe, the curiosity to follow the leads and the tools (discipline and theory) to reach success.
As a video producer at The Art Institute of Seattle and professional musician (amongst other things), David emphasises the importance of curio-sity in youngsters and calls it an essential ingredient in a child's being which should be nurtured - not crushed.
His one teacher had the wisdom to engage the children in making puppets, after which they had to write a script for a puppet show and find the music to accompany the show. This is exactly what Roger Titley, the puppet builder of Hoekwil, is doing with his community project which reaches people from eight to 80 with his unique gift.
Financed by Austria, Roger became involved with a project that draws in the community in the whole creative process of making puppets. Roger hopes to start a similar project for the children of Wilderness Heights. For more information on his project, visit www.linzkreaturen.net.

Article and photo: Michelle Pienaar