Author: Jigsaw Office

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. 

So when and how is acting useful in everyday life? At Jigsaw, we know that acting and drama skills have all sorts of applications beyond the stage or screen. While some might take acting classes with an eye to appearing on the West End, others want to boost their confidence, be creative or simply make some new friends.

Body movement

“Body language is a very powerful tool. We had body language before we had speech, and apparently, 80% of what you understand in a conversation is read through the body, not the words.”- Deborah Bull

Actors have to think about their body language and what messages they are conveying through how they walk, stand, and sit. This awareness is useful throughout life, whether it’s in giving presentations and talks or meeting new people and making good first impressions.

Acting is also a fun physical activity that relieves stress and tension, which is important as our modern lifestyle can be quite sedentary.

Understanding emotions

“Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there.” – Meryl Streep

Actors also need to have an awareness and control of emotions, both theirs and those of others. They’re connecting with people, putting themselves into someone else’s shoes, whether that’s an audience, a fellow performer, or a character they’re playing.

It’s no coincidence that actors often become heavily involved in charity and philanthropy. Acting creates empathy and can bridge the gap between us and other people.

Similarly, acting is a safe and productive way to explore how to understand and express your own emotions in a healthy way, a good way of developing emotional maturity.

Working and communicating together

“Creating a relationship is the heart of acting. It is basic. It is essential.” – Michael Shurtleff

Teamwork and collaboration are intrinsic parts of acting, whether it’s working in a group, with a scene partner, or even just working on a monologue with a director.

Actors have to learn to rely on other people, to work together and support each other, and to not be afraid to make suggestions and try out new ways of doing things.

Developing good communication and listening skills are key to this. These skills are also very important for forming a connection with the audience.

The Mind

“The actor has to develop his body. The actor has to work on his voice. But the most important thing the actor has to work on is his mind.” – Stella Adler

The “what if” questions, blue-sky thinking, thinking outside the box. Whatever you like to call it, imagination is an integral part of living a happy and fulfilled life.

Acting inspires creativity and stimulates the mind, while at the same time learning lines and lyrics develops concentration and memory skills.

Acting can be a useful part of everyone’s life. Acting can connect the world inside the mind with the world outside, in the process strengthening our understanding of both.

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. 

We spoke with Donna to hear all about her experience!

“It’s always exciting when there’s a new theatre production to go and watch. As much as I love all the classics, there are very few I’ve seen more than once (although I made an exception for the amazing Hamilton!). So I was particularly excited about Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, especially as I could combine it with a Christmas present for my Harry Potter mad 10-year-old daughter.

So, I’m not actually a Harry Potter fan myself. I find myself switching off periodically during Harry Potter family movie nights. And I only ever read the first book, but this piece of theatre had me gripped from start to end. The production and special effects were simply mind blowing – I don’t want to give too much away, but the dementors being a metre or two away from us (and we were in the cheap seats at the top of the balcony), the disappearing into the phone box, and the appearing through the fireplace – magical! Regular gasps and whoops from the audience, and not just from children and diehard Harry Potter fans, imposters like myself. Not a musical but subtle & simple choreography adding to the effect and drama.

It is a long one though, so you need to buckle in. Is this suitable for children of all ages? For those that don’t know, you’ll be at the theatres from 1 pm until almost 9 pm (!) with a two hour break in the middle for a quick bite to eat. We expected it to drag but it did not. My 12-year-old boy and 10-year-old daughter were also glued to their seats. Okay, my nearly seven-year-old had a little 45 minute nap towards the end but that’s when it became a little scary, so that was not such a bad thing. Officilly reccomended for ages 10 andf up, but I’d say fine for a 7 year old if you think they’ll sit and if they don’t scare easily.

Was a fabulous New Years Day family outing for us. All in all – highly recommend!

Little last minute tip – book a restaurant for the 4-6pm break because of course 1400 hungry people all pile out of the Palace Theatre and into the west end at 4pm.” – Donna, Jigsaw Dulwich

Learn more about the classes at Jigsaw Dulwich here.

I am delighted to share with you that Jigsaw is 25 years old. However, this is not what we were expecting in our 25^th year.  The curtains are closed.  Studios are shut.  Pianos on pause. For the first time ever, there are no Jigsaw Performing Arts classes running. All planned events are postponed to next year.

Like everybody else, whilst in lockdown I’ve had lots of time to think about everything, life and Jigsaw-related. Being forced to slow down and stop makes us focus on what’s really important. We all know that food and shelter are what we need to survive but in order to thrive, I believe the most important thing we need is to move and to connect.

This is what I have missed most while being in lockdown. We’ve been able to move during our daily exercise but connecting has been more difficult (Zoom and Houseparty have been an okay substitute but it’s not the same). Connecting with others and enjoying the company of others is what really makes me happy.

If we can move and connect at the same time, that’s even better and at Jigsaw, that’s exactly what we do. Performing arts is great for our well-being and happiness.  In dance, we really get our bodies moving, excellent for our aerobic fitness and co-ordination. Learning to use our breath and voice to make a great sound in singing is exhilarating and improves our speaking voice. Drama combines movement and voice as well as lots of teamwork and thinking on your feet which builds our confidence, creativity and self-esteem. I believe there is nothing better than performing arts to connect and bring people together. Let’s not forget that it’s also lots of fun and lots of laughs. Just what we need right now.

So much has happened in the last 25 years at Jigsaw. The music and songs have changed, the fashion and hairstyles have changed, we’ve even got an online booking system! (something I couldn’t imagine back in the “paper and pen register” days!) But the thing that hasn’t changed is the reason that I set up Jigsaw, the values of Jigsaw and the benefits to all the students that have attended Jigsaw over the years.

I love the Jigsaw community! I have enjoyed working with many inspiring and talented teachers, lots have been with the company for over 20 years. I have met so many wonderful students and families too. Too many Jigsaw friends to mention. Watching students blossom into creative and successful adults is just the best. Using their performing arts skills to become an actor, director or teacher or using the skills for life to become a confident lawyer, nurse, gardener or scientist. Those creative skills can be useful in so many environments.

2020 has been a challenging time for us all. Being the parent, teacher, provider, 3 meals a day chef, cleaner and friend to my children has been exhausting. It has been difficult but I’m really hoping we take some positives from it too. I know we will all come out of this appreciating everything we love a little bit more.

Imagine how excited the teachers and students will be to get back to their Jigsaw Performing Arts School. We will be back soon………

Jigsaw Performing Arts, established 1995, 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. 

By Founder and Company Director Nicola Lander

With our February holiday workshop in Finchley, Jigsaw at the movies, less than three weeks away, there’s a buzz in the air backstage at Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools after the announcement of this year’s Oscar nominations.

Although Netflix and Amazon have been dominating the headlines of late, there’s still nothing quite like a good ol’ fashioned trip to the cinema and 2017 was a wonderful year for film. We laughed, we cried, and the movies keep on coming with top notch performances.

Who has been nominated in the 2018 Oscars?

British newcomer Daniel Kaluuya has had a nod for best actor after impressing in the 2017 horror Get Out and Margot Robbie finds herself in the running for best actress in a leading role after a string of impressive performances on the big screen.

There are a few more familiar faces in the supporting role categories, with Hollywood legends Woody Harrelson and Christopher Plummer in the limelight and Mary J. Blige makes Oscars history by being nominated for best actress in a supporting role and best original song in the same year for Mudbound.

The full list of nominations can be seen here: http://oscar.go.com/nominees

One thing is for certain… anything can happen at the 90^th Academy Awards and we can’t wait!

Jigsaw at the movies

You can find out more about our half term workshop in February here: Half term holiday workshops in Finchley

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. 

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Franchising

Buying a franchise can be a life-changing experience. It provides the opportunity to be master of your own financial destiny, while enjoying the support of an established organisation and the resources it commands. There are many reasons why you should fulfil your dream of becoming your own boss and opening a franchise. Here are our top 10 reasons to help you understand why it will be a great investment to choose franchising.

1. Be your own boss

This ranks at the top of the many good reasons to choose franchising. The desire to control your own destiny and to build a business for yourself has always been a powerful motivator in business and in life. Franchise ownership combines a sense of independence (within limits) with a greater level of security.

2. Turnkey Business

Buying a franchise eliminates all the hard work: finding a location, negotiating a lease, hiring reliable contractors and doing all this on-time and within budget. When you buy a franchise you are buying a complete turnkey business.

3. Proven System in Place

Franchising allows entrepreneurs to plug into a proven, successful idea and operating system, and focus their efforts on running the business rather than adjusting it to see what works best as they go along. Having a proven system already in place eliminates the guesswork and errors a common business owner would normally face. “The wheel’s been invented, perfected, branded, and marketed. As a franchisee, it’s time to roll”.

4. Higher Likelihood for Success

Since there is an already established system in place, there is a higher likelihood of success. If you follow the system the franchisor has put in place, you should be on your way to running a very successful business.

5. Easier to Obtain Financing

Banks are usually very comfortable financing the purchase of a franchise because they already have a proven track record. Lenders usually look at successful franchise chains as having a lower risk of repayment default and are more likely to loan money based on that premise.

 6. Brand Awareness

You can spend months thinking up a clever name, logo, signage, uniforms and the exact look and feel you want to attract customers to your new business – but you won’t know if it’s truly effective until you open for business. If you buy into a franchise system that is already established, the corporate image and brand awareness is already recognized. Customers are usually more comfortable purchasing items they are familiar with and working with companies they already know and trust.

7. Training and Support

Franchisors want franchisees to succeed, and in fact they need them to. That’s why intensive training is included in the franchise fee. The franchisor will train you to run your franchise exactly the same way their other franchise locations are run. This will ensure that you are running your business efficiently and will help to eliminate any common mistakes a new business owner usually faces.

8. Marketing/Advertising

There is usually no need to worry about advertising your franchise. The franchisor usually takes care of handling all of the marketing. If not they will have an outline for you to follow and sometimes specific vendors that will have systems in place for you to use.

9. Exclusive Territory

When you buy a franchise you are also buying an exclusive territory in which to do business. You will be entitled to a certain area and no other franchises (within your franchise system) can be open within that area.

10. Own Multiple Locations

Then there’s the final advantage: pride of ownership. Being a part of a franchise system will always offer you more opportunities to grow within the system. Once you have become a successful franchise, owner the next step is to become a multi-unit franchise owner. After you have one successful franchise open with a great management team you can focus time on opening a second location.

 

Jigsaw Opportunity 

With the success of the existing schools, Jigsaw Performing Arts is excited to be able to offer franchise opportunities in new areas to give more children a chance to experience the benefits of Jigsaw! You will be your own boss and fit your business around your existing life. Through our training and ongoing support we will assist you in all aspects of running your school and meeting our high standards. Jigsaw has the experience and knowledge in order to assist you in gaining new customers, and, importantly, retaining your current ones. We have tried and tested marketing and administrative systems that ease the day to day running of the business.

Jigsaw Arts Discovery Day!

Visit  www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk/franchises for more information and find out about upcoming Franchise Discovery Days on the Jigsaw Franchise Facebook page.