How time flies!!

WOW! Can you believe that we are already halfway through February? Most of the parent presentations have taken place (a few are still in production process!) and I am so very pleased with the progress all the kids have been making! This month we are welcoming a few new locations: Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, which has 2 elementary level classes scheduled on Friday afternoons. Also - A.L. Lotts Elementary, which has welcomed us through the PTA and their enrichment organization, P.A.W.S. The A.L. Lotts programs take place on Tuesdays for grades 3rd through 5th and Thursdays for grades K through 2nd!



I am also very excited to announce the addition of 3 brand new and CERTIFIED teachers that will be helping me with the class load:



1. Ms. Leslie Gardner - New DK teacher at Amherst Elementary School

2. Ms. Dawn Schroth - New DK teacher at A.L. Lotts Elementary School

3. Ms. Robin Paige Sharp - New DK teacher at A.L. Lotts and Karns Elementary Schools



I am so excited to have theses ladies with me and all have public school experience. Ms. Dawn is joining us from Memphis City Schools, where she was employed as an elementary school teacher. Ms. Robin was most currently one of the Drama teachers at Bearden High School, right here in Knox County. And finally, Ms. Leslie is joining us from Boston, where she had been enjoying her position as an adjunct college faculty member. They are all so enthusiastic and I know that they will serve you and your children to the fullest of their abilities.



Don't forget - I am still looking for 1 or 2 more boys that can play a "Newspaper Boy" at the Grand Opening of the new Titanic museum in Pigeon Forge on April 8th at 10:00 a.m. This activity will require participants to miss at least one half-day of school.



Finally, "Spring Performances" are right around the corner! The kids will be receiving awards for their participation in Drama Kids this year and will also be performing a short play for you entitled, "Storyland." Look for these performances to occur mid to late May. The Acting Academy Kids are also going to be performing this play, but will be taking their show "on the road" to Elementary Schools that do not currently have the Drama Kids Program. I know they are very excited not only about that, but also for the DKI Academy's participation in the Tennessee Thespians and Interational Thespians Societies.



As you can see, there is LOTS going on and as always, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. Have a great week!

LET IT SNOW!!!

Just a reminder parents that we follow Knox County Schools' inclement weather policies. If Knox County Schools are closed, so is Drama Kids. If the school system closes early, classes will NOT be held. However, if schools are simply running on a one or two hour delay, classes WILL be held.

Also - coming soon at the end of January -
WEST KNOXVILLE AFTER SCHOOL CLASSES for both the DKI ACTING ACADEMY AND the Elementary Drama Kids programs!! Classes will soon be held on Friday afternoons with the following schedule:

4:00 - 5:00 Elementary Drama Kids (ages 6 - 10)

5:15 - 6:15 DKI Acting Academy for Teens (ages 11 - 17)

Please call 865-947-5427 for more information!

Knoxville News Sentinel!!! Canaan's a star at Ball Camp!!

Hi everyone! Just in case you don't receive the paper on a daily basis - there is a wonderful "Drama Kids" article in today's "School Matters" section with a HUGE picture of Canaan from Ball Camp!! I'm so excited and wanted to be sure to share the link with all of you!!

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2009/dec/07/more-drama-please

If you have found your way to our blog through the article - we would love for you to join us! You can either visit www.dramakids.com/tn1 or call 865-947-5427 for more information!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Hi Drama Kids families!!

I wanted to be sure to take a moment to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! I also wanted to let you know that YES, classes will be held Monday and Tuesday this week. However, we will be closed for the holiday, the rest of the week. Remember, we follow Knox County Schools' calendar, therefore we are closed when they are closed. Also - this time of year is a time to remember what we are thankful for. I want to be sure to let you all know how thankful I am to have you as a part of the Drama Kids community! This whole adventure started almost a year ago for me and has grown and become a true blessing in my life and that is due entirely to YOU! Thanks so much and may we have a dramatic rest of the school year!!

Acting Academy and a BIG WELCOME to Amherst Elementary!!

I'm just so excited with the Acting Academy I could burst! The pictures here show the students working on a script where William Shakespeare was being denied entry into his own play! Needless to say, the kids were GREAT! I am also looking to add additional Academy locations, for those of you who are hoping for afternoon classes! I also want to be sure to extend a HUGE WELCOME to our newest Drama Kids location - AMHERST ELEMENTARY!! We will be there with bells on every Monday from 3:00 until 4:00. Please call 865-947-5427 for more information. I also want to make sure that everyone recognizes our new "Lead Teacher," Jamison Stalsworth, or "Mr. Jamie" to the kids. Please say "Hello!" when you see him!

Also - don't forget to clear your schedules the week of January 28th for "Parent Presentations!" It's your student's chance to shine in front of you and show you what they have been up to in class! This is for ALL Drama Classes, including the elementary school classes, which have already begun putting together pieces of this performance.

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD!!

Whew!

Greetings All!!!

We have had a couple of back-to-back whirlwind weeks! First, the DKI Acting Academy is growing and we are having soooo much fun on Tuesday evenings at Christus-Victor Lutheran Church! I also had the opportunity recently to visit the hotbed of entertainment - HOLLYWOOD! I'm also thrilled that I've received information regarding the big Spring Performances and will be sharing that with students this week in class! As you can see, students at Halls are having a great time, as are the students at Karns! Each week I notice students becoming more and more confident in their speech, especially in articulation and projection! We also would like to welcome Amherst Elementary into the Drama Kids family! A new class will be starting there on Mondays, beginning on November 16th and our newest teacher, Mr. Jamie will be assisting me with the instruction as we open the new location! Don't forget to bring friends to class - they are also welcome and the classroom door is always open to new faces!