The Helen O'Grady Drama Academy in Cairo, Egypt, hosted this year's North African Seminar for Principals and Drama teachers. It was a fantastic time of sharing ideas to help make the African drama schools the most progressive and inovative in the world. The Academy has classes in many countries around Africa including Morocco, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and Mauritius, and is the largest drama school on the Continent.
It was clear from the Seminar in Cairo that the Academy is the leader in its field of developmental drama, which includes developing confidence, self-esteem and communication in young people. Drama classes are booming on the Continent with many of the Academy's studios fully booked. The delegates at the conference were able to see first-hand, the popularity and innovation in the Cairo classes and they visited schools and the Academy's Private studios to see the children in action.
Also interesting was the contribution from the Academy's French operation in Morocco, headed by Houda Farrahe. Houda has single-handedly translated the entire curriculum which spans ages from 5-18 years. She has worked hard in bringing the same quality of learning to the French students in Morocco. Houda operation is going from strength to strength as more people in Casablanca and the surrounding areas want these development skills for their children.
Attending was the special guest, Alan Montanaro, who runs the Academy's programme on the small island of Malta, and is leading the way in child development. With over 700 children attending classes on Malta, Alan has achieved something absolutely special and his contribution to the Academy's development was invaluable. Being very close to North Africa, there are many similaries in the delivery of the Academy's famous curriculum.
Maija Lamu and Gina El Zoheiry, the Principals of Cairo, were the hosts of the Seminar and they really were exceptional hosts and are proving to be two of the Academies top Principals. Unlike many drama schools in Cairo, the Helen O'Grady continued to run its classes during the Egyptian Revolution and this commitment to the people of Egypt certainly shows in the Academy's development here.
By Duncan Rice, African Director
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