Our Story
Helen O’Grady Drama Academy - South Africa’s leader in affordable drama classes for all ages. Unleash confidence and creativity!
How it all began
For many years I worked as a teacher, a professional actress and a producer/presenter of children's television shows. The more I worked with children, the more I became aware of the need for a self-development programme which would increase confidence and build personality. On one of my long-running T.V. series, we had a 15-minute student forum each week, which required students to discuss a relevant issue with me. Some weeks it was reasonably good, but other times, quite awful! Why was it that so many young people, especially students selected by their schools to appear with me on T.V., were unable to sustain vigorous discussion and debate? To save my professional skin and ensure the continuation of my contract, I volunteered to spend two hours each week with students, at their schools, teaching them how to sustain and develop animated discussion.
Over the next few years, Helen’s experience gave birth to the idea that there was a need to help children and teens develop skill in verbal communication. This idea became a reality when she opened the first Helen O’Grady Drama Academy classes in Perth, in 1979, with 150 students enrolled, never realising that decades later there would be many branches operating in various countries across the world!
In the ensuing 8 years, the Perth Academy grew to over 1,000 students, during which time the basic format of the Helen O’Grady Drama System evolved. The dynamic programme became highly acclaimed and supported by parents and students. Every week minor miracles were observed in classes, as individual students mastered new skills and became more confident communicators. Established students began to gain recognition within the Academy, and beyond, for their excellent communication skills and remarkable self-confidence.
Expansion was beckoning and the Academy was established in other parts of Australia. The 1990s saw the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy expand beyond the borders of Australia into New Zealand, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, India and the United States of America.
During this period of rapid growth, Vicky Stroud, a South African graduate in music education, encountered Helen O’Grady and her unique, developmental drama programme. Vicky underwent training in the Helen O’Grady Drama System in Perth, under Helen herself, and subsequently launched her own branch of the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy in Port Elizabeth (now Gqeberha) in January 1999. With Helen’s expert guidance and mentorship, the Port Elizabeth Academy thrived. Helen continued with an expansion plan across South Africa and additional branches were established and launched. By 2003, Vicky had attained the title of Master Trainer and assumed the role of Franchisor for Helen O’Grady South Africa, a position she continues to hold today.
“I realised early on that children and teens love to participate in a vibrant, developmental, drama programme which is fun! What I did not know then, and came to believe so fervently, is the power of such a program to help young people increase their confidence and self-esteem through the development of communication and social skills. Today, with the ever-increasing influence of technology, I believe the need for our program is greater than ever, if young people are to learn to communicate effectively and achieve a sense of balance in their lives.”
“It is important to stress that our drama system is one of self-development. Our prime aim is to give children everywhere ongoing confidence, self-esteem and skill in verbal communication. Quite simply, our approach is developmental drama, as opposed to performance drama. The ongoing development of the child is never sacrificed on the altar of unattainable performance excellence!”
“I am constantly inspired by the power of our unique, developmental drama programme to influence and empower children of many races and cultures. I have travelled the world training teachers and working in the classes with tens of thousands of children and teens. Along the way, I have been joined by many wonderful people who are dedicated to helping young people achieve their potential, through participation in our acclaimed drama programme. The more I travelled and absorbed different cultures, the more I realised how similar we all are. Parents and children everywhere share basic hopes and dreams. Parents want their children to feel loved, to be happy, confident, empowered, and able to affect change and prosper. Children need to feel loved, valued, recognised, included, and to be motivated, happy and hopeful. Through the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy programme, teachers can help thousands of young people find their voice, generate self-belief, and become generous participants in life, experiencing fun and fulfilment along the way!”
