Intermediate Classes

SHOOTING STARS

Our Shooting Stars classes are for students aged 7 and upwards.  Each week we undertake a series of fun activities designed especially to help children:

  • learn drama, communication and performance skills

  • build confidence

  • encourage teamwork

  • develop imagination and creativity

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It is my firm belief that small groups provide the best balance between individual attention and the benefit that comes from working as a team.  Small groups ensure that I have the ability become aware of each student’s specific strengths and opportunities for development. This allows me to customise my teaching to meet individual needs.  I am committed to keeping group sizes small to ensure that I provide the best possible learning experience for each and every student.

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Age 7 + 8 = maximum 5 students/class

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Ages 9 upwards = maximum 4 students/class

“Our daughter, Josie, has participated in Shine classes for several years. We have seen her develop from a quiet, shy little person into a confident and talented performer and public speaker. In a thoughtful and personal way, Andi has helped Josie to develop a side of her personality that we did not know was there. Josie now sees herself as strong individual, full of potential. She has learned not only speech and drama, but how to manage and express her emotions, and, most importantly, to believe in herself. Shine has been an incredible experience that we wholeheartedly recommend!”

Laura Hunter

CLASS STRUCTURE

At intermediate level each term the lessons will be split up into 2 or 3 units (depending on the length of the term).  Each unit has a skills focus and a performance theory focus.  The curriculum is designed to build term-on-term, year-on-year so there are always new and fun challenges to undertake.

SKILLS FOCUS

The skills focus is the main focus of each unit and explores a particular skill in depth.  The skills focus is usually either a drama/acting skill or a social speaking/public speaking skill.  There is a balance of both of these throughout the year.  


Drama skills might include mime, characterisation, clowning, mask work, improvisation, role-play, reading aloud, storytelling, putting on a play, puppets, devising scripts, theatresports games and more.

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Social/Public Speaking skills might include, learning how to deliver talks - both prepared and impromptu, introducing yourself and others, telephone skills, interview skills, debating, negotiation and problem-solving.

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Many other skills are also incorporated into the classes each week. Things such as poetry speaking, role-play, voice work, improvisation, poetry writing, miming, presenting to the class, story-telling, creative problem solving and devised drama are also incorporated each term.

PERFORMANCE THEORY FOCUS

The Performance Theory Focus is designed to provide a simple introduction to different aspects of voice production and performance.  This includes skills such as voice projection, breathing, relaxation, articulation, stance, stage manners and modulation. We will explore these areas through discussion and through fun, practical activities.


The goal is to give the students an understanding of the information and an ability to practically apply it to their own performance. 

SHINE WORKBOOK

Unique to Shine, the Shine Workbook is a fantastic resource for students. Each class gets a different workbook specifically designed to match the units they will be exploring each term. 


The workbooks are a resource that we use in class each week and contain a ton of information and plenty of activities to support learning and discovery as we move through the lessons.


They are great for keeping parents in the loop regarding what we're covering in class.  Also, for those students who wish to continue on to higher exam levels workbooks are an invaluable resource for future reference.

"A truly lovely teacher with small, supportive and well-thought-out lessons, Andi has given me a wide set of skills that have supported me both in my acting endeavors and in day-to-day life. I have gained a huge amount of confidence from her classes as well as a natural comfort with public speaking which has been, and still is, invaluable. I would highly recommend Andi's classes to anyone looking for a nurturing and supportive environment with lessons that aren't just limited to the stage."

Elysia Harcombe (former student)

EXAM OPTION

At Shine, students who choose to do exams are supported to ensure that exams are an exciting, resilience building, fun challenge to undertake.  We work hard and celebrate how far we've come.  My goal is for students to come away from the exam process with a smile on their faces, pride in their hearts and a set of tools they can also apply when facing any kind of exam, test or challenge they come across in the future.​

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Depending on the age level of students an exam involves things such as giving a talk, presenting a poem/character, reading aloud (prepared and/or sight reading) and improvisation/role-play.

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In addition to this, my approach to exams is always to make sure the process itself is as much of a learning opportunity as the exam. So, as part of our exam preparation, as well as working hard on the pieces we are going to present, we look at things like relaxation techniques, managing nerves, setting individual goals and positive thinking.

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Each year students can attempt a new grade level.  As with music exams, students can work their way from Initial to through to Grade 8.  Then there are teaching diplomas which can be undertaken for students who wish progress to that level.

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Examining Bodies for Speech and Drama exams are Speech New Zealand and Trinity College London.