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MAY 2010 KICK Performance Group Newsletter

Welcome back to KICK Performance Group.
We’re very excited about this term and look forward to seeing the smiling faces of students, family and friends around the school.   As the weather gets a little colder, parents have been asking for KICK Jumpers.  Should you wish for your child to have one, please contact the office.  We will be placing the order shortly to have the jumpers available by end of term. 
 GRANDPARENTS WEEK 10-15 May was a fun time for all and a great opportunity for families to have a first-hand experience of classes, watch their grand-kids learn and perform .  We were excited to be able to share this with you.  Grandparents week will run again from 31 May – 5 June.  Parents and family are also welcome.

First public performance was a success!On Sunday, 2nd May, our Primary School GLEE Club, High School GLEE Club and Lizz’s Wednesday night “Do you think you can dance” class performed at Festival on the Green, St Ives.   Their first public performance for 2010 was evident of their talent and dedication to putting on the best performance; the event MC called for another round of applause from the audience. 

We would like to thank the parents and friends of KPG who came along to watch.  To the teaching staff, Kate, Khali and Lizz you did a great job and we look forward to the next performance coming soon!   (cont p4)

Should your child wish to join GLEE, the first class is free.Primary GLEE runs Monday 4.00 - 5.30pm
High School GLEE runs Saturday mornings 10-12 noon
GLEE Holiday Workshops will run during the July School Holidays.  School Holiday information has been emailed home to all KPG families and is available online on the KPG home page www.kickperformancegroup.com.au

CANADIAN IMPROV GAMES – WHAT A RESULT!
TEAM AUSTRALIA WINS!
The Canadian Improv Games is the biggest and best High School Improv Competition!
28 000 Canadian teenages across all Canadian provinces take part each year with the support of their teachers, family and friends.

For the second year in a row, AIPA was asked by the Canadian Improv Games to locate, audition, train and field two teams of Australian teen improvisers to take part in a Demonstration Event, AUSTRALIA v CANADA; being the sole opportunity for Australian teenage improvisers to participate at the National Final of the Canadian Improv Games (CIG). 

TEAM AUSTRALIA for 2010 were: Matthew Abell-King, Michael Coulson, Tom Davidson-McLeod, Ava Karuso-Thurn, Erin Kebby, Ryan Ludowyke, Seamus Quinn, Saskia Roberts, Dexter Sue, Andrew Steen, Chloe Jane Williams, and students from AIPA's Drama Company including
Paul Musumeci (team captain), Gus Wyllie, Miles Sharma-Constance, Jake Bayssari and Alex Franklin.  Intensive training sessions were held over four weeks (at AIPA) followed by a week of Improv workshops in Ottawa to prepare for their events.   And the result: Team Australia (Black) 1st, Team Australia (White) 2nd,Team Canada 3rd and 4th. 

Marg has been working with CIG since 2005 to make this a reality; we are proud to be the Australian training partner for CIG!  Now let’s not forget our TEAM AUSTRALIA COACH: Beck Carrig, 3 time National Australian Improv Champion and AIPA’s Drama Company Improv teacher.

Should your child wish to audition for Canadian Improv Games 2011, please email tours@aipa.com.au
Other opportunities include: IMPROVCAMP and Saturday Improv Classes “Location Situation”.  To enquire please call the office.

DATES FOR THE DIARY  
May 
2GLEE Club Performance
Festival on the Green, St Ives
10-15KPG Grandparents Week
31-5 JuneKPG Grandparents Week II
June 
21-25KPG Open Classes Week
26-12 JulyAustralian Intensive Acting Programme
26-18 JulyInternational Intensive Acting Programme (IIAP) Sydney – includes improvcamp
12-18 JulyIMPROVCAMP! 
July 
3KPG Term Two Closes
5-9KPG Holiday Camps (Week One)
12-16KPG Holiday Camps (Week Two)
19KPG Term Three Commences
August 
9-13KPG Grandparents Week
September 
4KPG Drama Night
13-17KPG Open Classes Week
25KPG Term Three Closes
27-1 OctKPG Holiday Camps (Week One)
October 
5-8KPG Holiday Camps (Week Two)
9KPG Term Four Commences
November 
1-5KPG Grandparents Week
7KPG Annual Concert
30KPG Open Classes Week
December 
1-3KPG Open Classes Week
11KPG Term Four Closes
13-17KPG Holiday Camps (Week One)
20-22KPG Holiday Camps (Week Two)      
WHAT IS PLANNED FOR OPEN WEEK? 21-25 June: Family and friends are welcome to come along, try classes and watch the kids in action.  It’s a great opportunity for parents to get involved in the class should you wish to. 
Other dates... more dates will be released as the term goes on. 

STAFF INFORMATION
It is with regret we inform you that Ty has resigned from the position of KPG Principal and has returned to Canada.  In the meantime you are in more than capable hands.  
Jen Haynes has assumed the role of Acting Principal.   
Any questions please contact the office. 
 UNIFORM INFORMATON
2ND HAND SHOES
AIPA is committed to keeping costs to a minimum. The 2nd hand shoe store can save you 30-60% off the cost of a new pair of Jazz, Tap and Ballet shoes.    Should you wish to sell shoes no longer worn, please hand the shoes in at the office in a clear plastic (snap lock) bag with your contact details clearly marked.  Once sold, we will make contact with you and hand over the payment in cash.
We also welcome shoes from families attending dance schools external to KICK – should you know a family, we would like to ask that you pass this information on. 
We want to ensure we keep a wide range of sizes to assist KICK families where we can.

KICK parents Libby Gray and Elena Shute kindly volunteer their time running our 2nd hand shoe shop.  Their hours are:
Wednesday: 4-4.30pm and Saturday: 9-9.30 & 12.30 – 1pm.
Note: Libby Gray is also available by appointment outside the above hours to try shoes.  Please contact her directly on 0404 876 184.
 SCHOOL HOLIDAY CAMPS – enrolment is open
School Holiday Workshop Camps are running for the 3 weeks of the School Holidays. Monday 28 June – 2 July,
Monday 5 – Friday 9 July & Monday 12 – Friday 16 July.
(Note: specific dates apply)
3-4 years: MINI MOVERS
5-7 years: LITTLE STARS & STORY TO STAGE
8-12 years: TRIPLE THREAT, TAKE CENTERSTAGE &
BORN TO ACT

12-15 years: TO THE MAX
14-18 years: G2D! – Got to Dance!
12-18 years: GLEE Club Australia
12-15 years: KEY TO SUCCESS
12-18 years: ACTING INTENSIVE
HOLIDAY OFFER: Free KPG holiday t-shirt for first 50 registrations. *Before and aftercare is available.  Information continues page 4.





AIPA TOURING PROGRAMMES
In addition to the Canadian Improv Games, AIPA is in a position to offer students from age 10 amazing touring opportunities in DANCE, DRAMA, IMPROV & SINGING...
Our touring website is
www.performingartstours.com.au

The Australian Intensive Acting Programme (AIAP)
2 weeks:  26 June – 12 July
Location: Abbotsleigh, Wahroonga SYDNEY
Day student and boarding options are available
Intensive Acting Classes with the best teachers!
Programme reference: ACTORS

The International Intensive Acting Programme (IIAP)
3 weeks: 26 June – 18 July (includes IMPROVCAMP)
Location: Abbotsleigh, Wahroonga SYDNEY
Day student and boarding options are available
Intensive Acting Classes PLUS IMPROVCAMP
Programme reference: ACTORS

IMPROVCAMP
7 days of international standard improvisation theatre.
7 days: 12- 18 July
Age: 12-17.  Live in Camp,
Location: Point Wolstoncroft
Programme reference: IMPROV

The LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
An extension of IMPROVCAMP – brand new for 2010
7 days: 12-18 July
Age: 17-20.  Live in camp,
Location: Point Wolstoncroft
Programme reference: IMPROV

Professional Actors Workshop Series
12 days: 19 – 30 November
Age: From 8 years
Location: Sydney & Melbourne
A series of casting workshops in screen acting and audition technique with Casting Directors from LA, New York, London, Toronto and Vancouver
Open to represented and freelance actors. 
Programme reference: ACTORS

GLEE Club LA & Anaheim21 days: 2 – 23 December
Tour members will be chosen via an audition process
MORE INFORMATION IS ON ITS WAY.   
Location: AIPA Studios, Naremburn

Members of the tour will have the opportunity to audition with the casting directors of GLEE and many more.
Programme reference: SINGERS   DANCERS  
 

AND IN OTHER NEWS.
We would like to congratulate
Drama Company students  Nick Burton and Harry Gray who have been performing in sold out performances of WAY TO HEAVEN with Stables Theatre to fantastic reviews in the Sydney Morning Herald.  Both boys also successfully auditioned for the Channel 9 TV game show Pyramid, aired last Monday.  Harry successfully auditioned for the NSW Public Schools State Drama Ensemble. Approximately 150 children auditioned for 28 positions. Harry will train with the ensemble for 1.5 hours every Wednesday afternoon.  ****
Drama Company students Zara Michales and Claire Stewart-Moore were selected from over 200 applicants for the Professional Actors Workshop Series (Commonwealth) in Los Angeles.  PAWS is facilitated by AIPA and leading Casting Directors from LA.  The programme runs for 6 weeks.  We will keep you updated on their progress.
****
Performance Stream Student Sami Tauber is currently in the KNOX Musical ‘Anything Goes’ playing the role of Virtue and the youngest member of the cast.
****

GLEE High School and Performance Stream
students Crystal Jones and Dylan Wright performed as part of a charity effort on Friday 7 May for a 5 month old boy, on an urgent organ transplant register.  We’re more than proud of their composure and giving up their time in the name of charity.
****
Danielle Macdonald as you may know has been a Drama Company student at KPG since 2004.  Danielle participated in The Professional Actors Workshop Series LA in May 2009 & Sydney in November 2009 where via the programmes she worked with top LA casting directors who raved about her talent.  Danielle auditioned successfully for AIPA’s “Acting For Screen” Programme (LA January 2010) after which she was asked to stay in LA for another week.  Within this week, Danielle signed with one of the top 5 managers and agents in LA – read for a new ABC Family (Disney) Pilot and won the role and their hearts.
She headed back to LA 3 weeks ago and has begun filming. 
We are super proud and will keep you updated on her progress. 
(Continued from page 1)
First public performance was a success!In the words of Festival on the Green’s MC “how about a another round of applause for Kick Performance Group” ..
GLEE Club Primary: Kristian Babian, Hannah Cullen,
Natalia Fuentes, Gabby Goran, Bianca Love, Angelique Manconi, Sophie Sheppard, Sabrina Ting, Nicola Zissis.  Wed “Do you think you can dance” class: Holly Robinson, Jonathan Hsu-Pinheiro, name, name, name, name.  High School GLEE: Mafe Bravo, Gracie Bryant, Nick Burton, Matthew Gray, Bridget Harberecht, Lauren Hollingworth, Yasmin Horner, Kiera Horner, Imogen Howe,
Crystal Jones (female lead), Yasmin Pegram,  Ashleigh O’Brien, Emily Thompson, Dylan Wright (male lead).
****

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT AIPA?“As a casting director in LA, I’m always looking to find the next great talent.  I’ve worked with AIPA in Australia; they create programmes for young actors which challenge and excite”
Joseph Middleton, CASTING DIRECTOR – Twilight New Moon, Meet the Fockers, The Bourne Supremacy

“I’ve taught at AIPA in Australia.  They’re the leaders in training teen actors and I recommend Marg and the team to you.”
Paul Weber, HEAD OF CASTING, MGM – Legally Blonde, SGU Stargate Universe

“Marg is a wonderful lady.  She recognises the LA & Australian markets and what casting directors are looking for.  She trains young actors to achieve”
Lisa Beach, CASTING DIRECTOR – Walk the Line, Wedding Crashers, 3:10 to Yuma
 “What a great bunch of students we have the pleasure of
spending our Saturday mornings teaching.  They have been working hard week after week and that was in evidence at their first public performance at the Festival on the Green on the 2nd of May.  We were so very proud of their professionalism, they were amazing. They are the stars of the future and we are looking forward to saying we know them when”.
Kate Paull – (KPG) GLEE VOCAL
Khali Grimshaw – (KPG) GLEE CHOREOGRAPHY

A FINAL WORD FROM MARG
I am so extremely proud of all students at KICK.  We are a supportive team.  Over the last 14 years I have seen hundreds of families come through KICK and seen families grow up over the last 14 years from babies through to high school graduates.  I am so proud to see KICK kids take on the world and succeed.
 Jen keeps me updated on requests from parents.  The latest has been about who the right agent would be for their child.  I am more than happy to hold meetings with you all when I return from LA to discuss options. In the meantime, please email or call the office to ensure we are able to look after everyone. (Continued from page 2)
SCHOOL HOLIDAY CAMPS – enrolment is open
*School Holiday Before and After care:
FREE on all full day programmes. Half day programmes – before care only available. 

 The May newsletter is brought to you by TEAM AIPA
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