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The PQA Scarborough Newsletter
JULY 2015
HAS IT REALLY BEEN A WHOLE YEAR?!
Hello everyone, and welcome to our most recent edition of Stage Whispers. For those people who
don’t know, at the end of each term we publish a ‘bumper’ edition of our Stage Whispers newsletter
which takes a look back at some of the fantastic events we’ve had this term (our performance at the
Grand Opera House, our Trinity exam success, our We Will Rock You masterclass to name a few!),
we celebrate some achievements of some of our students, both in and outside PQA, and we take a
look at some of the amazing things we’ve got coming up in the near future (our full Academy
production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and our first birthday party to name a few!). As I reflect
over the last term, and the last Academic year, I really can’t quite believe that we have been open
here in Scarborough for nearly a full year. We have had such a fantastic time so far, and things are
just getting bigger and better, and I really hope you’re all enjoying the ride! Everyone has worked so
hard over this last term and we’ve had some really amazing achievements, so I’d just like to take
this opportunity to say thank you to all of our students, PQA parents and families, staff, volunteers
and supporters. Have a lovely Summer, and we’ll see you all on 30th August.
James Aconley - Principal
PQA STUDENTS PERFORM AT SEAMER GALA!
Our Green, Blue and Red Group students performed at the Seamer Gala to start our series of
external Summer Performances for this year. Our students worked very professionally, and we were
very proud of their work. Our external performance opportunities continue with our Open Air Theatre
shows in July and August.
Stage Whispers: The PQA Scarborough Newsletter
JULY 2015
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS THIS TERM!
We are always very proud of our students’ individual achievements both in and out of the Academy.
Here are just a few of this term’s fantastic news from students:
Amelia (Blue Group): won the #BeAmazingInBarbados
competition with PQA
Katie & Ella-Rose (Blue Group): offered roles in All
Night Long! at the YMCA Theatre
Abbie (Blue Group): passed Grade 3 Keyboard exam
with Merit
Amelia (Blue Group): exceeded school targets in Drama
and Music
Fleur (Blue Group): performing in Little Shop of Horrors
at the YMCA Theatre
Well done to all of our students for their achievements over the last term. We love to hear about
what our students are getting up to outside of PQA. Let us know!
A FEW REMINDERS…
Just a few gentle reminders to ensure we have a smooth running Academy…!
• Students must wear their PQA t-shirt to each session with black bottoms (not jeans!). It’s
also important that students wear appropriate shoes (dance shoes, trainers, pumps)
especially for Musical Theatre.
• Absences do disrupt projects and Academy sessions, so if they can be avoided this would
be really beneficial to the smooth running of the Academy and the students’ experience at
PQA. However, if students are going to be absent, please let us know as soon as possible
via email, phone, text or in person the week before.
• Mobile phones are permitted within the Academy, but must be switched off and kept in bags
during lessons.
• PQA cannot be held responsible for any lost property, but please check with staff if you have
lost something.
• If students are going to be leaving early, please ensure they sign out with James.
• Please bring a drink and snack (not a full meal!) every week. Light snacks and drinks can be
purchased from the Tuck Shop, raising money for PQA costumes and props.
• Keep any scripts, lyrics or screenplays safe ready for each week’s session.
Thank you for your co-operation!
STUDENTS PERFORMING @
LOCAL THEATRE
We have students (and staff) appearing in all
four of the YMCA Theatre’s summer season
shows this year! Don’t miss them!
Little Shop of Horrors
Mon-Thurs from 20th Jul-27th Aug
West End Nights
Fridays from 31st Jul-28th Aug
Musical Mashup
Saturdays from 25th Jul-29th Aug
All Night Long 4th, 5th & 6th Sept
Stage Whispers: The PQA Scarborough Newsletter
JULY 2015
A CENTURY OF MUSICALS – A
PHENOMENAL SUCCESS!
On Saturday 9th May 2015 PQA took over The Grand
Opera House as 5 separate academies from the
northern region took to the stage in the spectacular
production of ‘A Century of Musicals’. Three PQA
Principals, Kellie Taylor (Harrogate,) Kimberley Lyon
(Leeds North & Leeds West), and James Aconley
(Scarborough and York), joined forces to do the first
PQA collaborative regional show.
232 PQA students performed to an audience of more
than 700 people, with one very special guest in
attendance: Head Principal Pauline Quirke. All students
took to the stage with great confidence, enthusiasm
and talent.
It was a wonderful mix of popular Musical Theatre
numbers spanning the past Century including numbers
such as; Razzle Dazzle (Chicago), Come Follow The
Band (Barnum), Food Glorious Food (Oliver), and Bring
on Tomorrow (Fame).
This has been an unforgettable experience for the staff
and students, and one that over the coming years is sure to be repeated. A massive well done and
congratulations to all involved for such a successful large scale collaborative PQA production.
TRINITY SUCCESS FOR PQA SCARBOROUGH STUDENTS!
All Green, Blue and Red Group students were assessed by Trinity College London during their
regional show at the Grand Opera House in York. We were absolutely delighted to announce that
every single student passed their Grade 3 Musical Theatre In Production exam with Distinction. This
is an incredible achievement, and now all of our students who were entered into the exam have an
internationally recognized qualification at Distinction level. Many thanks to Rocky and Sarah for their
support in helping the students through their exams.
Stage Whispers: The PQA Scarborough Newsletter
JULY 2015
EXCITING MASTERCLASSES FOR PQA STUDENTS!
This term, our students have experienced some exciting performing arts masterclasses by industry
professionals. For our Green, Blue and Red Groups, we invited professional performer and
choreographer Richard Peakman to the Academy to run a We Will Rock You masterclass. Richard
has choreographed and performed in many West End Shows, and we were delighted to welcome
him to our Academy to work with our students. Our Poppets were treated to a Let’s Beat
Masterclass with Paulette Morton, professional musician. They played with many percussion
instruments, and explored ways of telling stories through music. We’re currently in the process of
planning some more very exciting masterclasses for our students in the new academic year. Keep
an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages and our email newsletters for the latest announcements!
POPPETS PERFORMANCE A HUGE SUCCESS!
Last week our wonderful Poppets performed their very own show ‘A Trip To The Circus’. For the
past few weeks at PQA, the Poppets made their very own story and characters with the help of Sara
and Maria. The students worked hard and developed their very own performance to showcase to
parents. Featuring singing, acting, dancing, balloon making and much more, ‘A Trip To The Circus’
was a lovely way to show our parents and families everything that we’ve learnt over the last term.
Next term we have even more exciting themed sessions coming up for our Poppets. Check out the
Term Brochure for all of the details!
Stage Whispers: The PQA Scarborough Newsletter
JULY 2015
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM PERFORMANCE COMING
SOON!
Over the past few months in Comedy & Drama and Musical Theatre we have been working on a full
Academy production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The performance will take place at Graham
Lower School on Sunday 27th September 2015. It will take place during normal Academy hours, but
the exact timings for the morning are still to be confirmed.
Students in Red and Blue groups have all been given scripts for the performance. Everyone has
something to say (or sing) so it’s really important that students continue to read through their scripts
over the Summer Holidays. 4 weeks is a long time and we need to make sure we are just as good
as we are now when we get back at the end of August! Green Group have been working really hard
on some ensemble speaking, some physical characterisation work and some movement and music
sequences in Musical Theatre. It’s really important that Green Group rehearse these elements at
home ready for the new term.
We only have 4 rehearsal weeks when we return from the summer break so attendance during this
time is absolutely vital. If you’re going to be away for any of the first 4 weeks back after Summer,
please let us know at your earliest convenience.
After watching rehearsals I know that it is going to be an amazing show, so I’d just like to thank you
in advance for all of your support in encouraging your child to keep refreshing their memory over the
Summer!
GREEN, BLUE AND RED GROUPS TO PERFORM AT
SCARBOROUGH OPEN AIR THEATRE!
Our Green, Blue and Red Group students have been working very hard on their performance
material for the Scarborough Open Air Theatre shows that we have been invited to take part in.
Just a reminder of the dates:
Thursday 30th July 2015
Thursday 6th August 2015
Thursday 27th August 2015
Meet at the bar area to the right of the stage at 1.30pm. Parents can collect children again from the
same bar area at 4.00pm.
Please wear full PQA uniform (PQA T-Shirt, black bottoms – not jeans!, black shoes/trainers/dance
shoes/pumps). Admission is free for these events at the Open Air Theatre so please do come along
and support the students as much as you can. Any queries, let me know!
The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts Scarborough
Graham Lower School, Lady Edith’s Drive, Scarborough, YO12 5RL
Web: www.pqacademy.com/locations/scarborough
Tel: 07753 179070
CHECK OUT OUR
ADVERT ON
NICKELODEON
AND NICK JR
THROUGH THE
SUMMER!
PQA PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK
The following students won Performer of the Week during the
Summer Term 2015. The certificates are awarded for
exceptional behaviour, hard work, commitment and dedication.
Well done students!
12th April 2015 – Polly Knight
19th April 2015 – Ollie Winter
26th April 2015 – Rhiannon Prideaux
3rd May 2015 – Samson Grunwell
17th May 2015 – Summer Hutchinson
24th May 2015 – Emma Simpson
31st May 2015 – Tonicha Fawkes
7th June 2015 – Phoebe McSweeney
14thJune 2015 – Tyler Jones
21st June 2015 – Chloe Garnett
28th June 2015 – Ella Coleman
5th July 2015 – Elliott Nixon
12th July 2015 – India Robertson
19th July 2015 – Kirsty Williams
POPPET PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK
The following students won Poppet Performer of the Week
during the Summer Term 2015. The certificates are awarded
for exceptional behaviour, hard work, commitment and
dedication. Well done Poppets!
11th April 2015 – Ruby Oates
19th April 2015 – Lily Mae Melville
26th April 2015 – Chloe Blake
3rd May 2015 – Annabelle Wallis-Scholey
17th May 2015 – Linaya Butterworth
24th May 2015 – Amy Lamont
31st May 2015 – Jude Saunders
7th June 2015 – Reece Markham
14thJune 2015 – Ethan Sweeney-Chisholm
21st June 2015 – Ruby Oates
28th June 2015 – Linaya Butterworth
5th July 2015 – Amy Lamont
12th July 2015 – Veronica Koval-Meth
PQA ANNUAL AWARDS 2015
Student of the Year: Paula Stale
Green Group Principal’s Choice: Samson Grunwell
Blue Group Principal’s Choice: Tyler Jones
Red Group Principal’s Choice: Sam McCann
James Aconley
Principal of PQA York
james@pqacademy.com
07753 179070
PQA Scarborough is
enrolling now for the
Autumn Term.
If you know anyone who
may like to join our
fantastic Academy,
please pass on our
details!
Free taster sessions
available – get in touch.
Have a lovely summer!
Don’t forget PQA Scarborough re-opens
on Sunday 30th August 2015.