Logo - Devon Drama

Drama Teaching, Presentation Skills and Building Confidence

FAQ

Where do the lessons take place?
We teach in Dartington, near Totnes.
Do young people need to have any past experience of drama to join your groups?
Children can join a group with no experience at all. However some come with lots of experience, either is fine.
How many young people are there in a group?
There are usually between 3 and 8 young people in a group. This gives us the chance to give each child a lot of individual attention. Children in Years 1 to 5 can benefit from a slightly larger group, but there would still be a maximum of 12 pupils.
Can parents see a performance of the LAMDA exam pieces?
Once a year, in the run up to an exam, it is helpful for children to perform the pieces they have been rehearsing and parents will be invited to watch.
How often would my son or daughter take a LAMDA performance exam?
LAMDA exams take place once a year.
How long is a session?
A typical session lasts half an hour or one hour, depending on the age of the young person and the size of the group.
What are the advantages of working in small groups as opposed to individually?
One of the advantages of working in a small group is that young people gain confidence from each other when learning. It is also helpful when rehearsing performances to do so in front of a small supportive audience. For example, it is more realistic to practice eye contact, using pauses and voice projection with an audience and pupils get helpful feedback. Some of the LAMDA disciplines require young people to work together, either in a duologue or for a group acting exam. Young people learn how to work in a group in a creative and imaginative way and to support each.
My son/daughter has a fear of speaking/presenting in front of other people. Can you help?

Yes! 90% of the adult population shares this fear! Children and young people can overcome this fear through LAMDA drama work in the following very practical ways:

  • Understanding how their voice and breathing work
  • Learning new skills that will improve their voice, give it more power and clarity and give them more control over it
  • Understanding and improving their use of body language, including eye contact, posture and gesture
  • Performing twice a year, once in front of a LAMDA examiner and once to a parent, friends and family audience
  • Through all of these they can greatly increase their confidence

Many good speakers feel nervous but are able to control and channel that nervous energy. This is often what makes them excellent communicators. Learning how to feel confident with this energy is essentially the same, regardless of the many and varied situations young people find themselves in; for example presenting to a class or debating society, a job interview, audition or speech.

Why are vocal development and improving presentation skills important?
How a young person uses their voice is important, as it is a vital communication tool for interacting with the world. A child who has a strong, clear voice has a big advantage and will come over as confident, regardless of the situation. Children have to get up and present themselves in class, assemblies and school productions etc. A lot of children find this a challenging experience. As they grow into young people they face the greater challenges of university interviews, job interviews and all the other ways in which they have to present themselves to people. There are very few professional jobs these days that do not require us to communicate effectively, attend meetings, present information etc. Our formal education provides little training for this. We live in a very competitive world, young people are more successful if they are confident, communicate well, and can present themselves professionally.
How do you describe what you do?
We are LAMDA Drama Teachers; Speech Coach/Trainers; Presentations Skills Trainers; Communication Skills Trainers; Public Speaking Coaches; Interview Technique teachers; Vocal Skills and Voice Production Teachers; Drama Teachers and Acting Coaches.
What specific skills training do you provide?
Preparation for LAMDA Examinations; Vocal Development; Speech and Presentation Skills; Public Speaking; Communication Skills; Voice Production; Vocal Training; Interview Technique; Body Language awareness and Performance Skills; Acting Lessons; Pronunciation Coaching; Diction Clarity; Drama Lessons; Audition Coaching.
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Rosie – Year 10

“I have been doing LAMDA exam work for 4 years, and I feel that it has improved my confidence a lot. I just got 75 UCAS points for a Distinction in my Grade 8 Acting exam.”

Mr Nigel Home; Head Master, Bendarroch School

“Gerald is a very gifted, very energetic, very inspirational teacher, greatly liked and respected by all at our school teachers, pupils and their parents.”

Stuart – Year 11

“LAMDA has helped me gain confidence in my acting and my singing, through vocal exercises and character analysis. I enjoy LAMDA greatly.”

Parent – Harbertonford

“Our daughter has been taught by Gerald and Lucia from Year 5 to Year 10. She has recently achieved Grade 6 Acting but the benefits extend beyond the grades. Drama lessons have enhanced her confidence at all levels. I would recommend LAMDA drama lessons to all.”

Tel: 01803 840196
e-mail: info@devondrama.com

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