Speech and Drama Summer Intensive Program

2024 Dates: December 16th-19th

Melissa Webster (owner and creator of Let’s Talk Kids) will be running a summer program for primary school aged children interested in developing their Speech and Drama skills.

This program is designed to be undertaken by students who may have not attended any formal speech and drama training prior, however it is ideal for:

    • Students who have a genuine love for performing to an audience

    • Students who have strong voices and wish to learn skills to make their voices even more effective

    • Students who want to learn Performing Arts skills in the holidays

    • Students who already enjoy Speech and Drama and wish to be further extended in the art of Drama

There will be three class groups run by Melissa Webster and three other Trinity-qualified teachers will be assisting. Teachers will also have assistants (student actors/teachers) to help facilitate.

To ensure a specialised experience for all students, there will be a limit of 25 per class group. Classes will be age specific:

    • Class 1: Prep – Year 2

    • Class 2: Year 3 & 4

    • Class 3: Year 5 – 7 

Each day children will need to bring their own lunch and afternoon tea. Students must wear clothes that allow free movement. Please no skirts, high cut shorts, or sandals/thongs. 

On the last day of the program (Thursday 19th), parents are invited at 2:45pm to watch a student-devised presentation that their child has created. All students must wear “theatre blacks” for this presentation (ie. black t-shirt, black trousers/leggings, black shoes & socks).

Each day classes will run from 9am until 3pm and will be held in the air conditioned studios in the Junior School Speech and Drama Room at Ormiston College (Dundas Street West, Ormiston)

Fees

(All prices are for four days of tuition and include GST)

New Students:
One student: $320. Multiple students: $300 each for siblings.

Returning Students (who have attended a Summer workshop with LTK prior):
One student: $285. Multiple students: $270 each for siblings.

Course Outline

DAY 1 – MONDAY

Introduction to the basics of Speech and Drama

Children will take part in age appropriate exercises that address:

  • The Importance of posture for stage
  • Using modulative devices such as pitch, pace, pause, emphasis, volume.
  • Vocal expression
  • Importance of body language
  • Importance of positive thinking and confidence

Children will take part in trust exercises that will increase a sense of bonding and trust amongst the group.

DAY 2 – TUESDAY

Acting techniques and vocal production

  • Children will learn the basics of acting in a variety of roleplay situations with costumes and props
  • Children will learn how to use their voice effectively without using volume
  • Children will use age appropriate scripts, prose and poetry work.
  • Children will work in pairs and then individually.

DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY

Playbuilding and TV ad creation

By now we know the skills and strengths of your child.

We now workshop and create a performance suitable for an audience. In the process children are exposed to:

  • Stagecraft
  • Use of props
  • Taught and reinforced skills in timing, voice production etc.
  • Basic film making techniques and drama creation with specialists.
  • UV Disco Party to conclude the day.

 

DAY 4 – THURSDAY

Presenting

Students start their final day with vocal and physical warm ups

They take part in improvisation activities and creative movement

Students split into groups and rehearse for parent presentation at 2:45pm.

At the end of the presentation all children are presented with a LTK Certificate of Attendance.