• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

News and entertainment worth sharing – York and North Yorkshire

  • News
  • Things to do
  • Radio
  • More
    • Food & drink
    • Business
  • About
    • Comments
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
  • Radio
  • WIN
  • Tonne of tins
  • Vouchers
  • Listen live »
Around the World in 80 days - York Theatre Royal

Revealed: The secret of happy, confident children

Not everyone at PQA York wants to be Harry Potter. Some plan to be lawyers – or even astronauts! Photographs: Pauline Quirke Academy
Wed 24 Feb, 2016 @ 8.15 am Family, Things to do James Aconley

If you thought drama classes were just full of kids who wanted to be the next Harry Potter, think again.

Many parents and young people have realised that the real benefit is the increased confidence and improved communication skills that such sessions offer.

And with a lot of schools offering less drama within the main curriculum, many are flocking to weekend drama schools like The Pauline Quirke Academy to find what they are looking for.

Performing arts education has a wonderful effect on young people and the success stories are impressive.

Children who were once incredibly shy have not only put their hands up in class for the first time, but have then gone on to achieve previously unthinkable feats, such as singing in front of an audience or presenting to a room of their peers.

PQA York

Huntington School in York

Every Saturday from 9.45am-1pm and 1.45pm-5pm

To book your free taster session call Principal James Aconley on 07753 179070

Or email James at [email protected]

For more information visit the PQA website

Hitting the heights at a PQA performance!
Hitting the heights at a PQA performance!

Parents are impressed not just by the huge change in their child’s confidence but by the speed at which that change can occur, which in some cases can be as a little as a few weeks.

And while young children learn essential life skills like listening and responding effectively, canny teenagers with an eye on their future know that the ability to engage any audience, especially at a university or job interview, can give you the edge in a very competitive world.

Energy and fun

A show starring PQA York's young performers
A show starring PQA York’s young performers

So, what’s the secret? What’s important is how it’s taught.

Going to a drama class and being forced to perform in front of a group of strangers would be terrifying for anyone, let alone a shy and nervous child.

We make sure our staff adopt a gentler approach, using drama exercises that are non-threatening to slowly introduce the idea of speaking by yourself.

We build the kids up gradually and we gain their trust because they know we’re not going to make them do anything they don’t feel comfortable with.

We make it high energy and we make it fun, but at the same time we’re dropping in essential skills like speaking clearly and charismatically and learning how to work as a team.

Helping to achieve their dreams

All ages are welcome at PQA York
All ages are welcome at PQA York
‘Children get a massive self-esteem boost from many of the actual performance opportunities’
‘Children get a massive self-esteem boost from many of the actual performance opportunities’

We have kids who want to be teachers and lawyers. We have kids that want to be entrepreneurs. We’ve got a couple who even want to be astronauts!

If we can help of all them achieve their dreams, as well as the ones who want to be professional actors one day, then it’s job done.

Children will also get a massive self-esteem boost from many of the actual performance opportunities on offer too.

Taking a bow as a theatre full of people applaud you grows confidence like nothing else and at academies like PQA, children also get to see themselves on the big screen of the local cinema in one of their short film projects.

Meanwhile, being able to take performing arts exams through organisations like Trinity College London can provide further inspiration and the chance to celebrate achievements.

With the opportunity to make like-minded new friends, enjoy new experiences and explore everything from clowning and stage combat to street dance, musicals and film-making, it’s easy to see why performing arts classes are so popular now in the UK and how the benefits to confidence and communication really do help every child find the right direction.

Related YorkMix stories

Video: Young performers entertain York shoppers with songs from the shows

Star quality! Five-year-old York girl wins part in Emmerdale

York performing arts students enjoy Wicked West End workshop

Wed 24 Feb, 2016

Footer

YorkMix
News 01904 848 766
Email YorkMix news »
5-6 King's Court, Shambles, York  YO1 7LD
YorkMix Radio
General enquiries 01904 375 029
Studio/competitions 01904 375 030
Email YorkMix Radio »
Selby Superbowl, Bawtry Road, Selby  YO8 8NA
YorkMix is a trading name of YorkMix Media Ltd
Registered in England
Company number: 07814727
VAT number: 154 0364 34
© York Sound Ltd

Copyright © 2023 YorkMix Media Ltd

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT