OMY! Returns to Old Mill Theatre in July

FOLLOWING the success of the inaugural OMY! (Old Mill Youth) drama camp during the April school holidays, it returns July 14-16 for children and teenagers.

From 9.30am to 2.30pm each day, Maree Grayden is running classes for children aged 6-10 and another for those 11-15.

"It's a great opportunity for kids and teens to learn and embrace their creative side during the school holidays," she said.

"People often think these courses involve playing a lot of drama games, which have their place, but this is more of an opportunity to practice professional skills.

"I think we underestimate children and need to raise the bar when it comes to education. If you expose them to good acting techniques taught by some experts, that is when the real learning happens."

Topics covered include prepared and spontaneous improvisation, role play, charactersiation, performance preparation, script interpretation, blocking and direction within a scripted scene and monologue preparation, followed by a special parent showcase.

Along with Maree, teachers include Kylie Maree Bywaters and Susie Conte. Kylie has worked professionally in the US and has vast experience with drama classes, workshops and youth theatre groups. Susie has an extensive background as an actor and director, appearing in Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors, Macbeth and The Tempest, Oh What A Lovely War and The Misanthrope at the 1998 Edinburgh Fringe Festival - and has scored numerous awards for shows she has directed.

For more information, enrolment and prices, contact Maree on 0407 936 800 or mlgrayden@gmail.com. The Old Mill Theatre is on the corner of Mends Street and Mill Point Road, South Perth (opposite the Windsor Hotel and Australia Post).