We are so proud to announce that our incredible Jigsaw Bushey student Caelan is currently appearing in the UK tour of “School of Rock The Musical”.

Based on the hilarious hit movie, this new musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band – sensationally performed live by the production’s young actors every night with roof-raising energy!

We caught up with Caelan to hear all about his experience so far in the band!

 

What was the audition process like? 

To begin with I was asked to film some self tapes in the first rounds from home due to lockdown. This was more challenging as I had to get good lighting and make sure everyone at home was quiet (which wasn’t easy with two younger siblings!). After this I was invited for a face to face audition which I was very nervous for but I also had a lot of fun and enjoyed throughout, I had to learn some songs from the show to perform and speak my lines with an American accent!

How did you feel when you heard you had been given the role?

When I heard that I had gained the part I felt shocked and extremely excited. It’s my favourite film and musical!

Tell us a little about your role?

I play the character of Mason. In the show School of Rock he is a bit of a nerdy kid who runs the lights and the tech for the show. 

What has been your favourite moment so far?

My favourite moment so far was getting a standing ovation in Wolverhampton from the audience at the end of our finale.  

How do you think Jigsaw has helped you?

Jigsaw has taught me the key skills I need for performing. They support me in all three disciplines and have encouraged me throughout. Without Katie and the Jigsaw Agency I wouldn’t have known about the auditions or been given the opportunity to apply. 

How do you balance performing with school and other activities?

Performing is one of the main things I enjoy doing however when I am not on tour I attend school each day with my friends and do extra curriculum activities such as football which is also another passion of mine. I also enjoy playing on my games consoles during my free time and seeing friends and family. 

What are your favourite musicals/plays and what would be your dream role in the future?

The School of rock is my favourite show which is why I am thrilled to be a part of the show. I also really enjoyed watching ‘Thriller’ for my birthday as I am a huge MJ fan and this was a real treat! My dream role to play one day would be Dewey Finn from the school of rock (although I need to learn how to play the guitar first).I love his character because he is fun, energetic and his lines include a lot of comedy which is something I really enjoy. 

What is it like working with a professional cast?

I have really enjoyed working with a professional cast and others who feel the same way I do about performing, I feel I have learnt a lot from everyone especially Chris the director who gives great advice and support to us all. The children I am working alongside are insanely talented some playing their own instruments throughout the entire show! 

Describe how it feels to perform on stage in three words?

Incredible, Electrifying, Amazing!

Anything else to tell us?

Being on tour has been an experience I will never forget. To have the opportunity to travel to different locations with different audiences is truly awesome. I feel like I have made life long friends amongst the cast and don’t want the experience to end! 

We are delighted that Caelan is loving every moment of this amazing experience at School of Roack! His Jigsaw Bushey Manager Katie and Emily from Jigsaw Arts Management can’t wait to see him rock the stage in Oxford!

 

We are delighted to share that Jigsaw is a finalist in the Children’s Services Category at the 2019 Best Franchise Awards, sponsored by Lloyds Bank!

Andy Hutchings, Jigsaw’s Director of Franchising, said, “I am delighted to be a finalist. It is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our managers. I am very proud of our team and the brilliant service they continue to provide to so many children. Congratulations to all the other finalists! We look forward to meeting with you all soon.”

Nicola Lander, Founder and Director of Jigsaw, said, “It is fantastic news for Jigsaw Performing Arts to be recognised as a finalist for the Best Franchise Awards. Well done to the Jigsaw franchise team and all of our super enthusiastic and hard-working franchisees who deliver top quality performing arts classes to children across England and Wales.”

Finalists announced in 2019 Best Franchise Awards

WorkBuzz announced the finalists on the 30th October, saying:

“What makes these awards so unique is the fact that they are based on feedback from thousands of real franchisees.

“To be considered, franchises must have taken part in the Franchise Satisfaction Benchmark programme. Franchisees are asked to complete a confidential online survey, rating their franchisor on qualities such as initial training, ongoing support, their relationship with the franchisor and whether they would recommend the franchise to a prospective franchisee. The top-performing franchises in the survey are then put forward as finalists in the Best Franchise Awards.”

Steven Frost, CEO of WorkBuzz, added:

“In 2019, we’ve seen a really diverse range of franchisors participate in the Best Franchise programme, with a record 24 first time entrants competing alongside established brands, which take
part in the awards every year. These finalists have already shown themselves to be among the very best in the country, according to their franchisees, so we would like to offer our congratulations to them.”

The winners will be announced during the annual Best Franchise Conference – an event that brings together the top franchisors from across the UK to network and share their experiences.

The Best Franchise Conference 2019 takes place on 28 November at the Marriott Hotel, Leicester. More information and tickets are available from www.bestfranchiseawards.co.uk

If you want to open your very own Jigsaw Performing Arts School, or it has been a lifelong dream to offer engaging performing arts classes for children, read more about our franchise opportunities or email fr*******@ji*********.uk for more information. 

Back to school! September’s almost here again and along with frosty mornings and expensive school shoes come a whole range of exciting possibilities and new beginnings…

The summer is a fantastic time for being a parent. When the British weather behaves, suddenly the possibilities are endless; paddling pools, playing in the park, boat trips, you name it, you can do it. As soon as you’ve slapped on the required 30 dollops of max strength sun block, there’s no stopping you enjoying the pleasures of the great outdoors, safe in the knowledge that your children are working off their excess energy and getting a chance to have a good old fashioned run around.

However, as Autumn rears its ugly head, with darker nights and colder days, we begin to wage the battle once more of keeping our children active and away from computer games and the telly.  But on a wet and miserable weekend, how do we keep our little ones entertained and fit?

Over the last 19 years, Jigsaw Performing Arts has provided a weekend activity for 3-18 year olds that offers a great way for children to exercise, develop poise and build physical strength. Children learn acting, singing and dance technique from teachers who work or have worked professionally in the industry.

There is so much to be gained from performing arts asides from learning the skills themselves. Not only do they develop your child’s creativity and confidence, performing arts classes also promote working as a team whilst encouraging and developing individual talent. The triumph of performing a rehearsed piece on stage encourages children to acknowledge their self worth, recognise their ability to overcome obstacles and value the belief that they can aim high in all that they do.

Whatever you wish for in terms of your child’s future, the one desire that unites us all is to produce a happy, healthy and confident child!

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

Autumn Theatre Picks! With summer now a distant memory, the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. So what better way to fill your evenings than with a trip to the theatre? Without further ado, from pantomimes to tragedies, musicals to comedies, here are our 2016 Autumn theatre picks …

If you’re looking for an exciting musical that ticks all of the right boxes, then look no further than The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre in the heart of London’s West End. With stunning choreography and a tremendous score, The Lion King has been wowing audiences all over the world since opening on Broadway in 1997.

For Pantomimes, the production company First Family Entertainment always offers a fantastic season of shows across the length and breadth of the UK, and Dick Whittington is set to open at the Milton Keynes Theatre in early December starring Britain’s Got Talent’s Kev Orkian and X Factor Finalist/I’m A Celebrity winner Stacey Solomon.

If drama is more what you’re looking for to while away the Autumnal evenings, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of King Lear ought to be exactly what you need. Transferring to the Barbican on 15^th November, this production is directed by Gregory Doran and sees Anthony Sher taking centre stage in the title role of one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays.

If, on the other hand, a children’s show that’ll create plenty of laughter lines and heart-warming smiles is what you’re after, then why not take a look at this season’s schedule from Tall Stories. Featuring performances of The Snail and The Whale, The Gruffalo and other works inspired by the books of Julia Donaldson, Tall Stories are at the forefront of the children’s theatre scene in the UK.

With so much high-quality theatre to choose from across the country this December, there’s sure to be a show coming soon to a theatre near you. Book now to avoid disappointment.

Stay tuned to our website for regular arts-related blog articles, and you can follow us on Twitter @JigsawArts. Don’t forget to swing by and like us on Facebook too!

Ciaran has most recently performed in the musical show ‘Mary Poppins’ at Chislehurst Summer School which he attends along with our weekend school. 

Ciaran explains what he enjoys most about being a part of Jigsaw

My name is Ciaran Douglas, and I have been a member of Jigsaw Performing Arts School for nine brilliant years.

There is a 5-6’s group, where you will do a presentation to your parents containing a drama, singing and dancing piece. Then, when you reach the age of 7, you will be moved up into the main school.

There are three terms each year – a technique term, which you use to develop techniques for more terms to come; a presentation term, where you put together some pieces and perform them to your parents; and finally, the show term, with the lights, costumes, makeup, etc.

My favourite term at Jigsaw has got to be the show term when we performed Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ where I played the role of Bottom – the one that turns into a donkey!

I’ve always had ambitions of performing and Jigsaw is most certainly the place to go. Beginners can join, but if you feel as though you want to take it a step further, the Jigsaw Agency is available to apply to – you will get casting calls sent to you and you can take part in many auditions. Jigsaw is such an enjoyable place to visit as it boosts your confidence and you make many new friends.

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

Singing lessons, do they have any benefit? Now, I’m sure that there are a lot of us out there who enjoy singing out loud to our favourite pop songs in the shower. The decibels bouncing off the bathroom tiles as we serenade an imaginary concert of adoring fans, all in the safety of our own home. But aside from the fantasy of becoming the next Freddie Mercury, are singing lessons worth it?

“I first started private singing lessons when I was 9 years old. I had told my Mum that I wanted to go for a lead role in our local community theatre group, and she had said that singing lessons were a good place to start if I wanted to compete with the older children. It turned out she was right, as later that year I got my first lead part. I haven’t stopped since,” says Alex Wharram who teaches singing at Jigsaw Bexleyheath and manages Jigsaw Croydon and Sevenoaks.

“Group singing, such as in a choir, has its own positives. It has been proven that group singing improves mental health but it is also a great way to learn to work as part of a team, boost confidence in singing without having to sing on your own and is just plain fun! I have been a part of a choir since the age of 10 and can emphatically say there is no better way to feel great than to sing with people who also enjoy singing.

“I have always felt that when you sing you give the listener a piece of yourself. While this can be very daunting for first time singers, there is no better way to express emotion than through song.” 

It’s true, singing has many social, physical and neurological benefits. Studies have shown that it can help ease stress, increase lung capacity and strengthen your muscles. In the long term this can help improve your posture and can prove to be hugely beneficial for our emotional wellbeing.

“Singing a happy song can cheer you up when you’re feeling down” says Alex, “while a sad song can be very cathartic.”

There is the right song for every mood, time and place and even people who profess they cannot sing will join in with a resounding “Sweet Caroline” when it comes on at a wedding. Singing brings people together in a way that nothing else can and I thoroughly recommend everyone give it a go no matter your age! It’s never too early or too late!”

We couldn’t agree more! Acting through song brings children together encouraging a sense of community. Through Jigsaw’s singing lessons, children are introduced to a variety of musical styles. Song lyrics develop their articulation and broaden their expressive communication. There is even evidence that singing can help improve speech impediments, such as stuttering. This is believed to be due to the increased duration of phonation and continuous voicing helping to increase the connectedness between syllables and words. Through repetition, breaking down the words into simple sounds, singing engages the part of the brain involved in sound-motor mapping.

So before you reach for the ear defenders, it is well worth considering how singing can improve your child’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Granted, we can’t guarantee the volume of sound your child may make, but we’re pretty sure there’s a lot of fun to be had when singing as a group.

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

 

16th – 20th November is Anti-Bullying Week in the UK. While there are events and programmes happening in schools, what can parents and carers do? 

 

Learn about the forms that bullying can take

The Anti-Bullying Alliance defines bullying as “the repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power.” This can happen face to face or online.

While we tend to think of bullying in terms of bullies and victims, the dynamics are often more complex, involving groups and social roles that can shift and change quickly. Behaviour that might look or sound innocuous from an outside perspective could be bullying.

Similarly, online bullying can take different forms, especially as platforms, trends and slang changes.

 

Talk to children about it

It can be difficult to talk about bullying, for both children and parents, but it’s a necessary conversation.

Would your child know what to do and who to talk to if they’re being bullied? Would they be able to recognise and stop bullying behaviour from their friends and themselves?

Talk about staying safe online – again, there are some fantastic resources online if you’re unsure about how to have that conversation.

It’s impossible to supervise every single interaction your child has, whether that’s in person or online, so communication and trust is key. Talk about who they interact with, what they share, and make sure they understand how to use security and blocking features.

Knowing the right thing to do is one thing, but it’s easier said than done, especially when facing peer pressure. Building up a child’s confidence and self-esteem will help empower them to make the best decisions.

 

Understand what the school’s responsibilities and powers are

It’s always worth familiarising yourself with your child’s school’s approach to bullying if you haven’t already. What is your school doing to talk about and combat bullying, not just on Anti-Bullying Week but year-round?

State schools have the power to make sure students behave outside of school premises. This can mean even incidents that happen entirely outside school, for example online bullying, can become a school issue and be addressed through the school.

Take time to find and read the behaviour policy of your child’s school (state schools must have one in place). This behaviour policy should include language about promoting good behaviour and preventing bullying.

While it will vary depending on the individual school and type, schools all have a complaints procedure. It can be helpful to know how this works ahead of time, in the (hopefully unlikely) instance you have to escalate a complaint when an incident of bullying isn’t resolved.

 

Think about your own behaviour

As adults, we can also take the time to think about how we model behaviour around children. Children learn from what we do as much as – if not more than – what we say. They watch and soak up how we treat other people.

How do you resolve conflict with other people? When children do witness negative behaviour from others, do you try to ignore it, or talk to them about what makes behaviour unacceptable?

We can all treat each other with respect and empathy and be great role models for future generations!

 

Anti-Bullying Alliance

You can find out more from the Anti-Bullying Alliance, which is also full of brilliant resources for parents and carers.

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page, and keep in touch with them for updates. 

Disney’s award-winning musical The Lion King is now in its 15^th year at the Lyceum Theatre in the West End. This acclaimed production has been seen by over 70 million people around the world and tells the timeless story of Simba and his epic journey to fulfil his destiny as King of the Pride lands. On Tuesday 4^th November 2014 we made a Jigsaw trip to see the show and we were all blown away by this extraordinary production. This was very exciting for us all as one of our very talented Crouch End students, Amma Ris, is currently starring as Young Nala in the show.

It was fantastic to see so many Jigsaw students and parents there to see the show and support Amma as she gave a truly inspiring performance and impressed us all with her fine acting skills and lovely singing voice.

One of the absolute highlights of this show is the spectacular costumes and make up that the actors wear to convey the different jungle animals. The attention to detail is incredible, and you spend the first ten minutes of the show just absorbing how phenomenally colourful the stage is with all the performers on at once. The show opens with “The Circle of life” which introduces us to the beautiful soundtrack by Elton John as many of the songs are taken from the original film.

The Lion King is a fantastic show to introduce young children to the theatre as it really does stretch the audience’s imagination through the use of puppetry, brilliant choreography and clever lighting to create star effects and such like. Many children will of course be familiar with the storyline and songs. Visually, I think it’s one of the greatest shows I’ve seen. It also has a huge emotional impact as it addresses themes such as loyalty, abandonment and relationships which are very much a big part of all our lives on a daily basis. It’s difficult to leave the theatre without feeling inspired by the symbolism and moral of the story – how we should stay loyal to those that care for us as truth and honesty always prevail in the end.

My only criticism of this show is that for me personally I love to see a live orchestra at the theatre and because this show is so music orientated and led, it was a shame not to be able to see the musicians. I felt a live orchestra would have added to the intensity of the show and finished it off so beautifully on a visual level. Otherwise, I found this show thoroughly enjoyable and we all had a fantastic evening. The star of the show for us all was of course Amma Ris, as Young Nala, as she lit up the stage with such a huge amount of energy and was incredibly engaging for such a young performer.

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18.  Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page. 

Above: Lily Mae in rehearsals for the musical Little Miss Sunshine. Lily Mae attended the Agency Workshop Day in 2017.

Following the great success of the last one, and all the wonderful casting news for Jigsaw students, there will be another Agency Workshop Day on: Sunday 30th June 2019 in London

What happens at an agency workshop?

Students who attend the workshop will take part in a series of mock castings to see what auditions are like and what is involved. We will offer feedback and explain how to make a good impression at castings. They are often quite short, so you don’t have long to make your mark!

Who is running the agency workshop?

Myself – I’m Katie, and I run Jigsaw Arts Management. I am also the manager of Jigsaw Watford and Bushey. We also have Sam running the workshop too. He trained at The Guildford School of Acting in Musical Theatre and has many professional credits. He also teaches dance, drama and singing at Jigsaw. We have Saskia assisting us – she recently graduated from Associated Studios in London.

Who should attend, and why?

The agency workshop is suitable for any Jigsaw student who is interested in finding out more about the acting and musical theatre industry. Come and give it a go! Being in the agency can provide many exciting opportunities, so it is an excellent way to find out more.

What can parents expect from the agency workshop?

I am very happy to chat to parents after the workshop should they have any questions about the agency and the industry in general. For students that go on to land roles in West End shows, for example, it can be a huge commitment for parents, so it is good to be aware of this too.

How did the last agency workshop help those who attended it?

It was fantastic to meet so many of our agency students last time and I walked away knowing which shows would be suitable for different children when it comes to submitting them for auditions. Since the last agency workshop, we have had two students appear in “The Bodyguard” UK tour and others make their west end debut in shows such as Les Miserables, School of Rock, A Little Princess, Nativity and Little Miss Sunshine. We have also had students take part in filming various TV adverts and campaigns.

What are you looking for in children interested in joining the agency?

I am always looking for a spark! The industry is changing a lot and many TV/film castings just want to see ‘real’ children who are down to earth and capable of just being themselves in the audition room. This comes with confidence and the ability to take direction and leave your inhibitions at the door! Every child is unique, so my advice is to come along and just be yourself, as simple as that may sound.

How does being part of the agency work?

When students join the agency they book a headshot session with Mark from MAD photography and we choose one headshot to go on their ‘Spotlight’ page which is an online CV. I get many castings coming through every day, and I put forward students that I feel are suitable for that particular role. It is then up to the casting director who they choose to call in for an audition.

What is the casting and audition process like for a show? Is it different for a film or TV show than stage?

For musical theatre auditions, children will be asked to sing, dance and act in order to get through to each round. There will be other deciding factors such as height and age that play a huge part when it comes to how casting directors make their decisions. For TV/Film auditions, students are usually sent a script or at least a brief before hand so they can prepare for the audition. They may get to read this a few times in the audition room, and often this will be filmed. In both cases, casting directors will want to see that the children can take direction and better their performance if they are called back for the next round.

Is the auditioning process difficult? How can it be made easier?

It is extremely competitive! There is no denying that. However, there are certainly ways to make this easier. My advice would be to prepare as much as possible. Often for musical theatre auditions children will be asked to prepare a song, and sometimes a monologue. Auditions can be quite last minute so it is important to have something prepared just in case and to keep practicing it. Arriving to the audition early and taking some time before going into the audition room to think about the character, if it is a TV/film audition, will help to calm nerves and make sure you are focused on the task!

How do productions work with the children they cast to make it a good experience?

Children have chaperones on professional productions to really look after them and make sure they are having a positive experience at all times. Children have plenty of rehearsal time, and if they go on tour they also have a tutor to make sure they can keep up with their school work. It is certainly a very exciting experience for children to perform in a West End show – Harry got to perform on BBC’s Children in Need as part of the “School of Rock” cast!

If you are a current Jigsaw student and are interested in attending the agency workshop day or joining the agency, email Katie on agency@jigsaw-arts.co.uk.

Jigsaw Performing Arts is dedicated to developing performance skills, promoting self-expression and building confidence. We offer performing arts classes for children aged between 3 – 18. Find your nearest school by entering your postcode into the search on our home page.