time flies when you`re having fun! joseph trip to edinburgh

The PQA Edinburgh West Newsletter
March 2015
TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN!
Hello everyone - and Welcome to our second Stage Whispers Newsletter! It’s been a fantastic term here
at PQA Edinburgh West with all our students learning new skills each week. Since January we can really
see the progress that each individual student is making and we couldn’t be more proud!
We’ve had lots more students join us this term and it’s great to see everyone settling in, making new
friends and really enjoying being with us each week.
In this edition of Stage Whispers you will see all the fantastic things we have been up to this term.
Happy Easter everyone, and I really look forward to seeing you all when we return on Saturday 18th April.
Leonna - Principal
JOSEPH TRIP TO EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
On Wednesday 18th February PQA Edinburgh West and
PQA Edinburgh North joined forces to go on a trip to the
theatre. Over 80 students and parents attended the
world famous Edinburgh Playhouse to see an amazing
performance of ‘Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour
Dreamcoat’. Everyone had a fantastic evening and it was
great to see so many smiling faces at the end of the
show. For some of our students this was their first
theatre experience and it was great to see the two
academies come together for a fantastic night out.
As the evening was such a success we are planning
another trip later in the year. Watch this space!!
PARENTS DAY AT PQA EDINBURGH WEST!
Next term at PQA Edinburgh West we will be having our first parents day! All
our parents will have the chance to come along and try a PQA Session to see
what we get up to every week. We will even have a special Parent of the Week!
Stage Whispers: The PQA Edinburgh West Newsletter
MARCH 2015
TERM REVIEW – ‘QUIET ON SET’
This term we have been have been working on some really interesting projects culminating in a
showing of everything we have achieved to the other groups. I’ve really enjoyed watching the
groups make clear choices, create some lovely work and have an amazing time!
In Comedy & Drama this term we have been
working on scenes from Musical Theatre
shows. We have delved into the world of
character development through exercises
and improvisation, and used the techniques
learned in class to create the characters in
each scene. Each student has created a
unique character based on the choices they
have made and it’s wonderful to see
everything coming to life! All the skills
learned this term are vital when performing
and I know that when we move forward next
term everyone will know what to do!
In Musical Theatre we have been
working on several songs and
routines from the same productions
as Comedy & Drama. Green Group
have been working on ‘Annie’, Blue
Group on ‘Shrek’ and Red Group
have been working on ‘Legally
Blonde’. This term a lot of focus has
been placed on vocal development
and encouraging our students to
sing out. We have noticed a marked
improvement, which is wonderful!
We have also continued with dance
technique and acting through song. I’m delighted with the progress made this term.
In Film & TV this term we have focused mainly on the technical side of the module. The students
created their own adverts from scratch, pitching ideas, creating storyboards, shot lists and even
choreography. Each student was shown
how to set up the camera and sound kit
and members of each group were chosen
to be director, camera operator, camera
assistant and sound. All other members
of the group were involved in the creation
of the finished ad. In Post-Production,
students had a chance to get involved
with the edit process and even had a
chance to try out ADR (Automated
Dialogue Replacement) and Foley – a fab
technique when you make or use sound
effects!
Stage Whispers: The PQA Edinburgh West Newsletter
MARCH 2015
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Our Academy starts at 9.30am and finishes at 12.30pm. Timekeeping is really important to us as we always
have a jam-packed schedule and I don’t want anyone to miss out. Please can students be at the Academy for
registration between 9.15am and 9.25pm so we can get started on time. The school also closes very soon after
we finish our academy so please can parents make sure you are there before 12.30pm. Please call me if you
are going to be late, as I know sometimes things don’t always go to plan!
If a student cannot make the academy for any reason then please let me know as soon as you can. You can
email me at leonna@pqacademy.com or call me on 07597 321734. If I don’t hear from you then I worry about
you! On Academy days please call or text me, as I don’t have access to my email or Facebook.
Please don’t be offended if we call you or contact you in the event of non-attendance and we haven’t heard from
you. This is our policy and your child’s welfare is important to us. We also encourage regular attendance at the
academy. A lot of the work we do leads on from week to week and regular attendance is vital, especially leading
up to performance time.
Pick up/Drop Off/Self Sign
If you would like your child to self-sign in and out of the academy then please let me know. I will then inform Head
Office of the change to the register. Self-sign means your child can attend and leave the academy without you
being there. If they are not self-sign then you must be present when attending and leaving, we will not let anyone
leave on their own.
Uniform
Our uniform is quite simple: PQA t-shirt, black joggers/ bottoms/leggings and trainers/dance shoes. Please
note that uniform is mandatory. We are a performing arts academy not a youth club or fashion show!
PERFECT POPPETS!
This has been a wonderful term for our Poppets
and we have welcomed lots of lovely new faces!
Each week our Poppets have had exciting
sessions and have worked on projects including
Beauty & The Beast, Pop-Stars and our end of
term mini-show of Mary Poppins.
Our Poppets also had their first film session using
Green Screen and flying on a magic carpet!
Everyone had a chance to be director and use the
clapperboard and we had a wonderful time!
We can’t wait to see what wonderful adventures
our Poppets will have next term!
Stage Whispers: The PQA Edinburgh West Newsletter
MARCH 2015
RED NOSE DAY!
On Saturday 7th March
PQA Edinburgh West
made their faces funny
for money and along
with PQA Edinburgh
North raised an
impressive £134.37
for Red Nose Day.
Lots of our students
painted their faces,
wore their Red Noses
and Deeley Boppers!
We held the Red Nose Day sweepstake and our lucky winner was Samantha Kelly from Green Group at
PQA Edinburgh West. We all had a fab day and it was lovely to raise so much money for a worthy cause.
Well done everyone!
QUIRKY KIDZ
We are having our very first Quirky Kidz casting day in
Newcastle on Sunday 12th April. I know that lots of our
students are heading down to Newcastle for the day and I’m
very excited about this wonderful opportunity for all those
involved.
Simon and me will also be there on the day everyone will see
our friendly faces and we will help to calm any nerves!
There are other dates available for those that can’t make the
12th, and the closest one is in Leeds on Sunday 19th April.
SFX MAKE-UP MASTERCLASS WITH MIKE PEEL
Earlier this term, PQA Edinburgh West and held their first Masterclass. Mike Peel, a renowned
special effects make up artist and prosthetics expert who has worked on many TV shows and
films including James Bond and Harry Potter, attended the academy and shared his knowledge
with an enthralled group of students from all our age groups. Everyone had an absolutely
fantastic day and learned some new skills and knowledge about the art of SFX makeup.
The Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts, Edinburgh West
Craigmount High School, Craigs Road, Edinburgh, EH12 8NH
www.pqacademy.com/locations/edinburgh-west
Tel: 07597 321 734
PQA PERFORMERS OF THE WEEK
SPRING TERM 2015
The following students won Performer of the Week during the
Spring Term 2015. The certificates are awarded for exceptional
behaviour, hard work, commitment and dedication.
Huge Congratulations to everyone!
10/01/2015 – Cameron Seath
17/01/2015 – Lorna Robertson & Daniel Slater
24/01/2015 – Callum Sayers
31/01/2015 – Charley Connelly
07/02/2015 – Finlay Cowan & Hannah Gray
14/02/2015 – Abi Kinloch
21/02/2015 – Chloe Yeung
28/02/2015 – Shania Lawrie
07/03/2015 – Amelie Raffaelli
14/03/2015 – Esme Stevens
21/03/2015 – Neil McKay
POPPET OF THE WEEK
SPRING TERM 2015
The following students won Poppet of the Week during the Spring
Term 2015. The certificates are awarded for exceptional
behaviour, hard work, commitment and dedication.
Well done Poppets!
10/01/2015 – Jacob Thirlaway
17/01/2015 – Alexis Gow
24/01/2015 – Archie Kirkwood-Law
31/01/2015 – Mila Grbic
07/02/2015 – Archie Kirkwood-Law
14/02/2015 – Harry Muir
21/02/2015 – Keira Biddulph
28/02/2015 – Orla Russell
07/03/2015 – Keira Biddulph
14/03/2015 – Mila Grbic
21/03/2015 – Harry Muir
We would like to wish all our students,
parents and families a very
Happy Easter!
PQA Edinburgh West re-opens on
Saturday 18 April 2015.
th
Leonna McGilligan-Dix
Principal of PQA
Edinburgh West
leonna@pqacademy.com
07597 321 734
PQA Edinburgh West is
enrolling now!!
If you know anyone who
may like to join our
fantastic Academy,
please pass on our
details!
Free taster sessions
available – get in touch.