Author: Jigsaw Office

Jigsaw Arts Harpenden – A place to belong

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Jigsaw Arts Harpenden is more than just a performing arts school—it’s a place where children aged 3 -18 come to belong. Whether your child dreams of singing, dancing, acting or just having fun with friends, Jigsaw Arts provides the perfect environment to nurture their talents and build lifelong confidence. The school offers a welcoming and safe space where every student, regardless of their skill level, can thrive.
At Jigsaw Arts, performing arts isn’t just about mastering technical skills—it’s about self-expression, creativity, and personal growth. With classes in singing, dancing, and drama, students have the opportunity to explore their passions, try new things, and discover what truly excites them. The school’s approach focuses on confidence building, helping students feel comfortable both in front of an audience and in their day-to-day lives. The supportive environment encourages children to step outside their comfort zones, learn from mistakes, and celebrate their achievements.
The sense of belonging at Jigsaw Arts is felt by all. Students become part of a tight-knit community where they are encouraged to support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and work together as a team. Whether rehearsing for a performance or working on a new piece of choreography, students develop lasting friendships and a sense of camaraderie. This feeling of belonging fosters an atmosphere where children can grow not only as performers but as individuals.
Jigsaw Arts Harpenden is the place where young people come to shine, build confidence, and explore their potential through performing arts. It’s more than just classes—it’s a community where every student has the opportunity to be themselves, to grow, and to truly belong.
Classes run on Sunday Mornings! Get in touch to learn more and book your place –

Teamwork: How Jigsaw Bushey Fosters Collaboration

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Teamwork is at the heart of every great performance. In the world of performing arts—whether it’s dance, singing, or drama—collaboration and unity are essential for creating something truly special. The magic of a performance doesn’t just come from individual talent, but from the energy and synergy created when performers come together as a team. This spirit of cooperation teaches valuable life skills like trust, empathy, and communication, while also boosting confidence and helping students develop a sense of belonging.
At Jigsaw Bushey, teamwork is not just encouraged; it’s a core principle. The school’s approach to performing arts—whether in dance, singing, or drama—creates an environment where students learn how to work together, respect each other’s strengths, and support one another in the pursuit of their creative goals. In group classes, students quickly discover that their individual contributions are vital to the success of the whole group. This builds confidence not just in their own abilities, but in their ability to collaborate with others.
Jigsaw Arts provides a space where children aged 3 – 18 can come together, share their love of the arts, and build lifelong friendships. It’s more than just a place to learn technical skills; it’s a place to belong. Through dance routines, acting exercises, and vocal performances, students learn how to be part of something bigger than themselves. Whether they are performing in a show or supporting a teammate, they discover that great things happen when everyone works toward a common goal.
By fostering a culture of collaboration and respect, Jigsaw Arts helps students build confidence, develop teamwork skills, and grow as performers and individuals. It’s a place where every student’s voice is heard and every member of the team matters.

Unlocking Creativity: What Makes a Great Performing Arts Teacher

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Unlocking Creativity! A great performing arts teacher is more than just someone who knows the technical skills of acting, singing, or dancing; they are a mentor, an inspiration, and a guide to self-expression. For children, especially, the right teacher can make all the difference in their creative journey, helping them unlock confidence, passion, and skill.
What makes a performing arts teacher exceptional is their ability to balance creativity with discipline. They must create an environment where students feel safe to explore and make mistakes, yet push them to grow and challenge themselves. They need to be patient and encouraging, understanding that every child learns differently and at their own pace. A good performing arts teacher fosters a sense of belonging and community, making students feel valued both as individuals and as part of a team. They not only teach performance techniques but also life skills like resilience, teamwork, and emotional intelligence.

Jigsaw Watford teachers are building confidence and unlocking creativity!

Jigsaw Arts provides just the kind of nurturing yet challenging environment that young performers need. Specialising in students aged 3-18, Jigsaw Arts understands the importance of adapting its teaching to the age and developmental stage of each child. Their team of professional, passionate, and highly trained teachers fosters creativity, confidence, and self-discipline. The school offers a wide range of performing arts disciplines including drama, dance, and singing, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education.
At Jigsaw Arts, every child is encouraged to find their own voice and express themselves in a supportive and fun environment. The tailored approach ensures that each student gets their chance to shine, making it a standout choice for young performers who want to develop their talents and gain lifelong skills.
If you’re looking for a down to earth performing arts school dedicated to improving social skills, building confidence and unlocking creativity, Jigsaw Watford could be the place for you!
Get in touch to learn more or book your two week trial –

Drama classes Ilford teach transferable skills for life!

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Jigsaw offer singing, dance and drama classes in Ilford! Interested in learning more about the transferrable skills for life that drama classes offer? Read on!

 

Most people may think about drama and say “but don’t you just pretend to be a tree?” At Jigsaw we all know that benefits from drama and yes although there may be the odd occasion where the drama teacher actually requires you to be a tree, drama has a large number of transferrable skills that you can take away and into any other industry. Below is a list of 5 transferrable skills that you will find useful at some point in your future.

 

5 Transferrable Skills from Drama classes 


1. Confidence


No surprise that this is probably the main transferrable skill that you can learn from studying drama. As we are all aware the main purpose of drama is to interpret characters and perform these to an audience, you need to have an abundance of confidence to do this. Drama encourages you to step out your comfort zone and take risks, an excellent skill to have in any point of your life. You may look back on your time studying drama in 10, 15 years times and thank that teacher who encouraged you to play that role.

2. Communication


Another one here that may not come as a surprise. Although what you may have not considered is the non verbal communication that we use in every day life what this can communicate. In drama not only do you consider your verbal communication to interpret a character but you also have to completely change your own non verbal communication and create a whole new bank of mannerisms. Communication is a skill that you will use every day. Being able to effectively communicate with someone is not only important but it is also an essential life skill. In drama we focus on your communication as a character but also your ability to communicate with others to shape and develop drama.

3. Teamwork


There is no ‘I’ in drama. Yes, it may be a surprise to you but teamwork is a key skill needed for drama. As a performer you have to work with other actors on the stage and come together to tell the story to the audience. However, you also have to work with all the other elements involved in make a production. Being able to be an effective member of a team will lend you well in any walk of life.

4. Time management


Often in drama you will have various time requirements and deadlines to meet. Think about it, shows start on time in the West End, mainly due to the timely nature of the industry. As a performer you will go through short and intense rehearsal periods and you will need to ensure that you are managing your time efficiently so that you are ready for the opening night. Being on time and managing your time is a life skill and something that can steam from the ethos of the performing arts industry.


5. Creativity


Life can become dull as an adult everyday can feel like ‘groundhog day’. Most people will say that children have the biggest imaginations and they can create their own worlds at a click of a finger. We’re not quite sure when that goes but studying drama will ensure you keep that creativity ticking over. Being able to imagine and create something unworldly or even just life wishes is a fantastic skill and something that can being the joy into your life as an adult.



So there you have it, 5 skills that you take into any walk of life just from studying drama! Who knew that it was so much more than being a tree?!

If you are interested in learning more about the singing, dance and drama classes ilford jigsaw performing arts has to offer, get in touch with manager Megan – ilford@jigsaw-arts.co.uk or 0203 733 2314! 

Jigsaw Hitchin Launch!

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Spotlight on Jigsaw Hitchin! Congratulations to our Jigsaw Franchisee Shaun who will be opening his second Jigsaw School next weekend. With the success of his existing school, Jigsaw Sevenoaks, Shaun is thrilled to welcome all new students to the Jigsaw family and begin his journey with Jigsaw Hitchin.

 

shaun-parker-jigsaw-franchisee

 

Meet Shaun! The owner of Jigsaw Hitchin and Jigsaw Sevenoaks.

 

Shaun has been involved in Performing Arts for over 15 years and went on to study at Anglian Ruskin University. After appearing in various productions in Hertfordshire, he got his first television appearance on ‘The Pride of Britain Awards’ and went on to feature in the film ‘The Worlds End’. In recent years he has started his own theatre company, writing original plays for theatre and community based venues. Shaun is very excited for the term ahead at Jigsaw Hitchin!

 

We asked Shaun what drew him to Jigsaw and his response was “Potentially getting the opportunity to inspire young people. I feel all arts are massively important for a child’s confidence, mental health and well-being and I thought Jigsaw was the best chance and platform for me to be able to do this.”

 

Much like our other Jigsaw schools, Shaun’s goal for the future of Jigsaw Hitchin is to create a community and a sense of belonging for the students and families that join.

 

Shaun is also excited to welcome new teachers to the Jigsaw team. At Jigsaw, we take every care when selecting new teachers for a school. They all have experience in teaching or a formal qualification, with many still working professionally in the performing arts industry. All teachers have a DBS check and attend Jigsaw Arts teacher training sessions to provide consistent tutoring across our schools. Most importantly, Jigsaw Arts make sure that our teachers provide bespoke, fun and engaging sessions that benefit every individual.

 

Jigsaw Hitchin will run on Sunday Mornings at The Dance Studio, Unit 2A Old Hall Farmyard in Hitchin. Welcoming all students from ages 3-18. Jigsaw do offer a two-week trial to new students so that you can decide if you have found your place to belong at Jigsaw!

 

We wish Shaun the best of luck with the launch of Jigsaw Hitchin and can’t wait for the wonderful term ahead.

 

Spotlight on work experience student Yazmin!

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Spotlight on work experience student Yazmin!

 

Yasmin work experience Jigsaw

 

Yazmin joins us this week in head office for her work experience and has been set a range of tasks, from arranging party bags for our 20th anniversary celebrations to learning the ins and outs of running the Jigsaw agency. She has been attending Jigsaw Ilford for 11 years now and here is an interview with Yazmin herself to find out more about her Jigsaw journey…

Where are you from? What school do you go to?

I live in Leytonstone and I attend Jigsaw Ilford.

When did you start at Jigsaw?

I started Jigsaw at the age of 4.

Do you have any brothers or sisters?  Do they attend Jigsaw?

My sister Zoe is 8 years old and also attends Jigsaw.

Why did you decide to come to Jigsaw?

My Mum wanted me to build my confidence up from a young age.

What’s your favourite subject at Jigsaw?

Dance is my absolute favourite because it is so much fun!

What’s the best thing about Jigsaw?

I love meeting new friends and being able to try out new skills!

What’s your favourite show that you’ve been in at Jigsaw?

Sister Act was my favourite because it was so different from anything we have done before. I loved it!

What do you feel you’ve gained from being at Jigsaw?

I feel as though I have gained a lot of confidence from all my years at Jigsaw so far.

Have you had a favourite teacher at Jigsaw?

No – I have liked them all!

What’s your ambition for the future?

To have a career within the performing arts – watch this space!

Anything else you think we should know about you?

I have a black belt in karate after 6 years!

And finally… how is work experience at Jigsaw head office?

I have found it a very fun and interesting week so far!

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. 

“Wicked” the musical!

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“Wicked” the musical! When Dorothy famously triumphed over the Wicked Witch we only ever heard one side of the story.

“Wicked” is set in the re-imagined Land of Oz creating a parallel universe to the familiar story “The Wizard of Oz”. We follow the incredible untold story of a profound but quirky friendship between two girls who first met as sorcery students at Shiz University. One is called Glinda – the popular, beautiful, blonde girl – and the other is Elphaba – the green and misunderstood witch.

Following their encounter with “The Wizard of Oz” their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives suddenly take very different paths. Elphaba proves to have determination of steel as she chooses to remain true to herself and uses her powers to fight for what she believes in. However Glinda who has an unflinching desire for popularity, is quickly seduced by power, and they both follow extraordinary adventures in Oz to finally reach their destinies as “Glinda The Good” and “The Wicked Witch of the West”.

“Wicked” is very much known for its superb score by Stephen Schwartz as it features extremely demanding songs such as “Defying Gravity” and “The Wizard and I”. I was impressed with both actresses playing Glinda and Elphaba as they had outstanding voices that very much suited their characters and they both gave flawless performances. This show has an incredible amount of costume changes and I particularly enjoyed the Tim Burton-inspired theme carried out through the ensemble of slightly hypnotic characters. The choreography and ensemble singing was all very tight, catchy and certainly carried the show as the story unravels.

If I had to sum up this musical in one sentence I would say that it tells a universal story, with characters that will break your heart, memorable songs and generally there is wit and charm in abundance. Visually this show is very striking and with lots of children and young people in the audience, from what I could tell they were all hooked!

Be sure to get tickets!

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. 

Where Are They Now? Catriona & Jessica

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Where Are They Now? Catriona & Jessica

Click here for part one. 

This week we hear from former Jigsaw students Catriona and Jessica who have shared with us an insight into their Jigsaw journeys and how they made an impact on their chosen career path. Catriona is now a Theatre Director and Jessica is about to start her PGCE for Primary Teaching!

Where are they now: Catriona Shoobridge

Which Jigsaw school did you attend?

I attended Jigsaw Waltham Abbey, which is now known as Jigsaw Broxbourne!

How long did you attend Jigsaw for?

Really can’t remember what age I was when I first came along…11 maybe? I can can tell you that I started in Group 2 and did my last performance with JYTC when I was 20 – hopefully you can work it out from there!

What are you doing now?

I’m a theatre director. In 2014 I was one of the Jerwood Assistant Directors at The Young Vic, assisting on The Cherry Orchard and I’ve just been invited to do the National Theatre‘s Director’s Course this September.

How did Jigsaw help you?

Lots! It turned my love of telling stories and performing to my family into something tangible, with real skills I could develop. JYTC gave me the opportunity to perform in professional venues, and to be taught by industry professionals, something that is vital in order to be able to realise a potential career path in such a complex industry. Not to mention some lifelong best friends!

 

Where are they now:  Jess Ettridge

Which Jigsaw school did you attend?

I attended Bexleyheath Jigsaw school and then went on to attend what was the South London Youth Theatre up until it became the Youth Theatre for the whole of London.

How long did you attend Jigsaw for?

I attended Jigsaw for 10 years overall, starting at Bexleyheath when I was 9 for 8 years and then a further 2 years in the Youth Theatre.

What are you doing now?

I have just completed my Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies from Brunel University and am now back at Brunel doing my PGCE to become a primary school teacher!

How did Jigsaw help you?

Jigsaw helped me massively in increasing my confidence and self-esteem and encouraging me to pursue acting further in education and later, University. It also gave me tons of amazing memories and brilliant 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. 

Where Are They Now? Tara, Jack & Lewis

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Where Are They Now? Tara, Jack & Lewis

It has been an exciting time to catch up with former students and see what they have been up to now that they’re all grown up! We have caught up with three of them to find out about their experience at Jigsaw when they were younger and to see how it has helped them on their journey into adulthood! Meet Tara, Jack and Lewis…

 

Where are they now: Tara Edwards-Jones

Which Jigsaw school did you attend?

Hendon

How long did you attend Jigsaw for?

9 Years

What are you doing now?

I Just finished studying Performance at University and am now modelling and doing other bits alongside writing my book, whilst I save up to travel. Then I’ll see where the world takes me!

How did Jigsaw help you?

Jigsaw helped me improve my confidence and discover my love for the arts!

 

Where are they now: Jack Matthews

Which Jigsaw school did you attend?

I went to Jigsaw Wanstead/Ilford.

How long did you attend Jigsaw for?

I attended Jigsaw for 13 years

What are you doing now?

I am currently at university studying television & broadcasting trying to pursue a career in television, whether it be presenting, directing, producing or floor managing. I still act, dance and sing and have been in a couple shows since leaving Jigsaw 2 years ago.

How did Jigsaw help you?

Jigsaw helped me by giving me the opportunity to explore my talents and skills in acting, singing and dance. Also it helped me as a child to be open to making new friends and confident enough to communicate well with others. I struggled with being on time a lot for a good while and thanks to Nikki I now have good time keeping skills. Also Nikki and Andy taught me a great work ethic, making me understand that nothing comes easy and I’m going to have to work to the best of my ability to get what i want in life. (Thank you Jigsaw!).

 

Where are they now:  Lewis Meade

Which Jigsaw school did you attend?

Croydon

How long did you attend Jigsaw for?

7 years

What are you doing now?

I’m currently working as a Production and Acquisitions Assistant at the Weinstein Company and about to study for an MA in Producing Film and Television at Royal Holloway in London.

How did Jigsaw help you?

Jigsaw gave me the opportunity to develop my confidence and interpersonal skills. Through attending the Croydon school and the South London Youth Theatre I had the chance to further strengthen those skills I already possessed and improve those which were slightly weaker.  Jigsaw gave me a huge amount of confidence which has allowed me to pursue a career in theatre and film production.

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. 

What makes Jigsaw so unique?

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One of the greatest joys of doing my job is that I get to regularly visit all of our Jigsaw Schools. Yes, the obvious ‘business’ advantage is that I get to make sure that the classes we offer are of a consistently high standard right across the board. However, the most interesting thing about the visits for me is observing just how different and unique all of our Jigsaw Schools are.

Each and every student at Jigsaw contributes towards creating an exciting and dynamic atmosphere, and it is very clear that each Jigsaw school has its own identity and personality. It is always difficult to pin point exactly why this is. Perhaps it is down to the manager setting the tone for the school? Yet many of our managers work at more than one Jigsaw School and they will tell you how different their schools are.

I often hear teachers as well saying that they love both schools that they teach at, but they’re so very different. This to me is the beauty of what Jigsaw stands for. We work hard to ensure that Jigsaw is all about the individual and the journey each child experiences. If we just produced the same generic classes, presentations and shows at each school then this would be OK I imagine. However – the focus wouldn’t be on the individual kids. It would just be about churning out some Performing Classes.

It is very clear to me that each manager and teaching team at Jigsaw caters for the specific children they have attending their schools every weekend. This is why I love Jigsaw and it is this that makes my job so varied every weekend. However, somehow with these differences every school remains part of the ‘Jigsaw Gang’ and this very much comes across in our recent 20th Anniversary video. I hope you all had the chance to watch this:

I am looking forward to the new Autumn term starting as I continue to visit all the existing schools and see that our new Franchisees in Watford, Mitcham and St Albans begin their Jigsaw journey with the same success. It will be great to see some familiar faces, as well as meeting and welcoming all of the new students who will soon form part of these schools.

See you all in September!

Jigsaw Arts General Manager

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.