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 20^th 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. 

What Does My Child Need?

Every child develops in different ways. But what they might not understand is that performing arts aren’t just for the naturally theatrically inclined, or those seeking a showbiz career. It has benefits across all aspects of life.

What does your child need? And could they find it in the performing arts?

1) Focus

It can be invaluable to put aside a certain amount of time every week, to wall it off from that outside world and really focus on being in the moment and working with others.

The satisfaction of rehearsing and honing a piece of theatre, singing or dance over time far outweighs simple instant gratification.

2) Confidence

Confidence factors into so many of the skills that set a child up for a happy and successful life. And often it’s the shy children who, with the right support, can become the greatest performers.

3) Exercise

The collaborative and creative nature of acting and dance make for a type of exercise that’s enjoyable and rewarding in a different way.

4) Creativity

This can leave children without much opportunity to express themselves creatively. The performing arts are about creating a space that feels secure, where a performer can try things out and not worry about failing or being embarrassed.

5) Friendship

Again, the collaborative and welcoming nature of performing arts makes a basis for lifelong friendships. For children, this supportive environment is perfect for friendships to form and grow, creating good memories and experiences outside of the strictures of school.

We’re coming to the end of term at Jigsaw, and as well as shows and presentations that means, for parents of those at schools on a Technique term, reports.

They operate on this philosophy. What is each individual child’s goal? How have they grown, where do they want to develop, and who do they want to become? What does your child need?

There is no one size fits all approach, just like no two children are the same. But they’ll always be welcome at Jigsaw.

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 does the future hold for ex-Jigsaw students and Jigsaw Youth Theatre Members?

Early Years

When I was much younger, maybe four or five years old, I attended a Jigsaw Arts Summer School. For the next two years I would continue this routine. Then, 8 years later, I started attending the Jigsaw Finchley weekend school on Sunday mornings. I made many new friends, and the experience was one that was invaluable, and is still unforgettable. When I decided to leave Jigsaw Finchley, I was invited to join the Jigsaw Youth Theatre Company (JYTC).

Youth Theatre

At first I didn’t know what to expect from JYTC, as I thoroughly enjoy all the three disciplines of performing arts. It was strange for me to be in an environment that focused specifically on drama. In September 2014 I attended my first ever Youth Theatre session and it was explained that we would be participating in the National Theatre’s ‘Connections’ Festival.

My First Show

The weeks went by and we started learning our lines and blocking scenes. I was playing Mr Ellody, the owner of an accordion shop, in the play The Accordion Shop, by Cush Jumbo. Under the brilliant direction from our wonderful director, Kate Cohen, I was able to create a fully realistic character, and the performance as a whole was wonderful.

The Next Steps

I took a break for a term as my exams were approaching at school. When I returned in September 2015, there was a very different group of people. Over the first few weeks we all became very close, and we started to rehearse for our next performance, The Beauty Manifesto, by Nell Leyshon. We decided to double cast the play, and this raised some eyebrows, especially when certain cast members where unable to make the rehearsals!

What does the future hold?

Personally, I would like to receive my GCSE results this August, and then spend the next two years studying for Drama, Spanish, Maths and Chemistry A-Levels. After that I would love to continue on to a performing arts school, such as Mountview or ArtsEd, and then hopefully perform in the West End.

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. 

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical tells the story of the singer who hailed from Tennessee and overcome great obstacles to become the legendary Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Congratulations Myles! How did you feel when you heard the news that you were continuing with Tina Turner the musical?

When I heard the news that I was continuing with the Tina Turner Musical, I was totally overjoyed and excited. I only expected to be there for 6 months, so having an extension feels absolutely awesome.

Tell us a little about your role?

Well, I play the role of Tina Turner’s youngest son, Craig. Due to my contract I’m unable to discuss the role, so come and see the show!

What has been your best or favourite moment so far?

My best and favourite moment is just having this once in a life-time experience, being able to perform in front of a packed theatre every week. I feel as though I have achieved a great deal of confidence and learned a lot from being around so many professional actors.   

How do you think Jigsaw helped you?

Having been a member of Jigsaw Watford for a while, they have a fantastic talented team who have encouraged and supported me from day one and believed in me. Jigsaw allowed me to be myself and always taught me to perform as if it was my last ever performance, meaning always do my best.

How do you balance performing with school and other things you like to do?

Since being in The Tina Turner Musical, my school Lanchester Community Free School have been totally supportive and have encouraged other young pupils like myself to follow their dreams.

Although I know I don’t see my friends as much these days due to my busy schedule, they do understand. I know they think I must be having a lot of fun just being in the musical, but I still do normal stuff like school homework and read as much as I can so I’m not behind in my studies. Mum and Dad always tell me that I must have a plan B if Plan A doesn’t work out. Education is first and foremost.

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

My obvious favourite musical is The Tina Turner Musical. My other favourite musicals are Lion King, Motown and School of Rock. If I were to pick a dream role to have in the future, it would be a superhero who saves the world. People always love the good guy and a great ending.

Thanks to Myles for answering our questions and congratulations again on your great achievement!

Tina Turner is currently running at the Aldwych Theatre in London. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.tinathemusical.com.

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. 

This guest blog post on children’s creativity is written by Emily, manager of Jigsaw Balham. 

I have had the pleasure of working with Jigsaw Arts for a number of years as a singing, drama and dance teacher, and in the last year have become the manager for the brilliant Jigsaw Balham. I have been engaged with the arts since the age of 2 and a half and have worked with children for many years as a performing arts facilitator and teacher. Having recently completed an Applied Theatre MA at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, I have developed a greater understanding for the need and value of the arts.

During my MA I studied the impact the arts can have on a child’s education, social media and pop culture’s affect on secondary school students as well as the joy cultivated through arts and culture.

I think it is growing ever important for us to embrace children’s creative minds and give them the space to grow and develop. Jigsaw provides an inclusive and welcoming space, where children can explore and feel valued in a place where everyone belongs. Utilising professional teachers who specialise in their art, not only do the children have the chance to engage with creativity, but they have the opportunity to learn an art form to a high level from an inspiring teacher.

In the last year, I have watched a number of children at both Jigsaw Balham and Jigsaw Ilford grow in confidence. One specific child really struggled on her first  Saturday to even tell other children her name and didn’t want to leave her parents side. In the space of a few months, I have watched her confidence grow, to see her put herself on the front row in the dance in our recent show.

“The difference is astounding”

Through attending our weekly sessions, the difference is astounding. I have witnessed lots of children go through this, and always have parents express how much the few hours we have with their children impact their child’s life. The children have the opportunity to build friendships with children of a similar age outside of school, and role model for the younger children.

Singing, dancing and playing different characters gives our children the chance to develop valuable skills unique to the craft. Pride, joy, happiness and fun are promoted through every minute of a Jigsaw class, and children feel leaving energised and enthusiastic, their mind flowing with creativity. As well as the value of joy, children are offered choice and given responsibility for their engagement.

Problem solving, teamwork, spatial awareness, self-awareness and time management are all pivotal in the production of drama, dance and art, and are skills, which are key to being successful as they grow up and become valued members of society. As well as expanding the creative mind, taking part in arts activities can foster benefits of health and wellbeing, improving body awareness, spatial awareness, breathing and posture.

Jigsaw is not about building the next West End stars, but instead about giving children the space to explore who they are, make friends and build up life-long transferable skills. Expanding on the innate feelings of play children explore in their formative years of childhood, Jigsaw offer children an authentic experience where they can feel they have a place of worth and be proud of their creativity.

As a teacher and manager, I take the time to get to know each individual child and parent and show a genuine interest in the wonderful stories they share with me. I enjoy watching the children really come alive from the help of our wonderful teachers and assistants.

Jigsaw offers more than just singing, dance and drama, it offers a sense of family, joy and pride.

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 Christmas Movies for the family

1. Home Alone

Home Alone is a 1990 American Christmas family comedy film starring Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister. an eight year old boy who is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for their Christmas vacation. Kevin initially relishes being home alone, but soon has to contend with two would-be burglars. There are now 4 sequels, although the main cast only reprised their roles for the first sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

2. Elf

Elf is a 2003 American Christmas comedy starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel. The story is about one of Santa’s elves who learns of his true identity as a human and goes to New York City to meet his biological father, spreading Christmas cheer in a world of cynics as he goes.

3. The Grinch

Inside a snowflake exists the magical land of Whoville. In Whoville, live the Whos, a munchkin-like people. All the Whos love Christmas, yet just outside of their beloved Whoville lives the Grinch. The Grinch is a nasty creature that hates Christmas and plots to steal it away from the Whos (who he equally abhors). Yet a small child, Cindy Lou Who, decides to try befriend the Grinch.

4. Nativity

Paul Maddens is a “frustrated, under-achieving primary school teacher” who once had ambitions of being a successful actor. Every year St. Bernadette’s Catholic School in Coventry where he teaches competes with the local Protestant private school to see who can produce the best nativity play. Maddens hates Christmas because his ex-girlfriend Jennifer, who attended drama school with him, left him at Christmas before he could propose to her. Despite this, the St. Bernadette’s headteacher Mrs Bevans (Pam Ferris) tasks him with running their nativity play this year, and gives him a new class teaching assistant Mr Poppy, who turns out to be as much of a child as the rest of Mr Madden’s class.

5. Miracle on 34th Street

The story takes place between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day in New York City, and focuses on the impact of a department store Santa Claus who claims to be the real Santa. The film has become a perennial favourite among Christmas movies.

6. Jingle All The Way

Jingle All The Way is a 1996 American Christmas family comedy film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The plot focuses on two rival fathers, workaholic Howard and postal worker Myron, both desperately trying to retrieve a Turbo-Man action figure for their respective sons on a last minute shopping spree on Christmas Eve. Inspired by real-life Christmas toy sell-outs for products such as the Cabbage Patch Kids and adding in elements of satire about the commercialization of Christmas, the project was picked up by 20th Century Fox and Arnold Schwarzenegger came on board!

7. Santa Claus: The Movie

Santa Claus: The Movie is a straightforward attempt to explore the mysteries of Santa Claus with the key objective being to answer some of the basic questions many children have, such as how Santa’s reindeer fly, how he and his wife made it to the North Pole, how Santa ascends chimneys, among other things. The film chronicles the origins of Santa Claus who goes from being a simple working man to becoming an international icon of Christmas.

8. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas tells the story of Jack Skellington, a being from “Halloween Town” who opens a portal to “Christmas Town” and decides to celebrate the holiday, with some dastardly and comical consequences. The Nightmare Before Christmas originated in a poem written by Tim Burton in 1982.

9. The Muppets Christmas Carol

In this adaptation of the Christmas story narrated by Charles Dickens himself (played by Gonzo!), it is Christmas Eve in 19th century London. The merriment is not shared by Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine), a surly money-lender who is more interested in profit than celebration. So cold to the season of giving is he that his bookkeeping staff have to plead with him just to have a day off work for Christmas…

10. The Polar Express

On the night of Christmas Eve in the late 1950s, a boy witnesses a train called the Polar Express that is about to embark to the North Pole. The conductor lets the boy board the train, and he meets the other children including a little girl who has lost her ticket. The conductor, instead of ejecting her from the train, takes her for a walk on the rooftops of the train. A magical Christmas tale.

What are your favourite Christmas movies? Let us know on Facebook! 

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 is certainly a season of change. As we make the rather gloomy transition from Summer into Winter we notice that the arrival of night time becomes much earlier and of course the temperature drops considerably. We see the leaves start to change colour and fall off trees, the birds migrate south and animals start to think about hibernation! How does this affect us? We get out our gloves, scarves and hats on to wrap up warm and head for the indoors as much as possible. But how can we keep children occupied? Here are our top 10 autumn activities to help make the most of this time of year.

Top 10 Autumn Activities for Kids

1. Make an Autumn Collage

Here’s a great way to make the most of the chilly walk home from school. Get your little ones to collect leaves of different colours and sizes to take home and press by placing them under a heavy book for a couple of days. You can then help them arrange the leaves on paper and glue into place – use further decoration with crayons, glitter or even stickers to make the autumn collage look original!

2. Conker Painting

Another great activity to entice the kids away from the TV as soon as they get in from school. Kids love to collect fallen conkers and here’s a brilliant way to get them to make the most of their collection. Put down plenty of newspaper as it’s quite a messy one! Make sure you have plenty of paint in different colours and just dip the conkers in and roll across the paper. Repeat this with as many colours as you like until you’re happy with the finished picture! This is also a great idea for making home made cards if the children were to use the conkers to swirl patterns on the front of a card.

3. Exploring Nature Outdoors

If it’s dry outside then Autumn can be a perfect time to use local walks to explore the natural environment. Look at birds, animals, plants and trees or anything that interests your child. It’s a good idea to take photos or have a pad of paper so your child can draw pictures of what they see or copy from the photos when you get home. Fallen leaves also make great hiding places and are great for a kick around. Try matching up the leaves to the correct trees is always a good challenge!

4. Autumn Games

If you log onto www.activityvillage.co.uk/autumn-leaves-dominoes you can find template of Autumn Leaves dominoes that you can print out for your children. Instead of dots they will need to match the different shapes and colours of the Autumn leaves! There is also Autumn scramble here: http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/autumn-scramble-puzzle Unjumble the letters in the Autumn Scramble puzzle to find a collection of Autumn words – it’s quite tricky!

5. Spray-painted pine cones and conkers

This is a great Autumn activity to do after a walk in the park. Choose a selection of different shaped pine cones and conkers and lay them on some newspaper. Choose some paints – orange, black and green would work brilliantly for a Halloween theme. Let your child cover the conkers and pine cones in paint and make them as colourful as possible. Once they’ve dried they will look great for some Halloween decoration or for show and tell in school!

6. Leaf Rubbings

When collecting different leaves for your collage (Number 1) remember to save a few so that you can create pictures and cards for all your friends. This works best when the leaves are as big and as strong as possible. Place a leaf under some paper and rub a crayon or pastel on its side and gently colour on the layered paper over the leaf. This is suitable for all ages and looks even better when you add some glitter or small stickers to make it as colourful as possible.

7. Pumpkin Carving

As we’re soon approaching Halloween, we have plenty of ideas for carving your pumpkin! This is an exciting element of Halloween for children – remember to keep your designs very simple. My favourite design is to cut out a big smiley face for the mouth, a triangle for the nose and then a moon shape for one eye and a star shape for the other eye.

8. Autumn treasure hunt

Fun autumn activities! Get your children enjoying the outdoors whilst using their imagination. Set out some treasures in the garden with little clues or little tasks so that they can different twigs, stone and leaves. You could even take this fun elsewhere by going to the park or somewhere nearby. A hot chocolate would be a nice reward for them or stickers for achieving their tasks!

9. Grow your own food

Autumn is a fantastic time to grow your own fruit and vegetables. Food that is grown in season is much tastier and of course, healthier! It doesn’t take that long to do and you don’t need acres of land to do it in. A good one to start on with your child is growing cress! Just fill an empty egg shell with damp cotton wool and sprinkle cress seeds on top. Your child can draw a face on the eggshell so that the cress grows like hair! Simply place the egg head in a warm place that gets some sunlight such as a windowsill and the cress should start to grow after about 7 days!

10. Leaf Bugs

Creative autumn activities! As you can see by the main photo of this blog “Leaf bugs” are a lovely way to decorate leaves after a frosty walk with nature. Autumn is the season of beautiful colours – from russet reds to fiery oranges. Why not head out on a walk or treasure hunt and gather your leaves ready to get crafting? Decorate your leaf as shown on our main photo and create a “Leaf bug” of your choice. My favourite is the lady bird.

As you can see there are plenty of fun Autumn activities to do with your children during this season of change. Although we might not be looking forward to the clocks going back and the arrival of early dark nights, there is one thing that remains consistent. At Jigsaw we provide dance, singing and drama classes throughout the Autumn/Winter term and we don’t stop for half term! We aim to inspire your children’s creativity, channel their energy and provide them with lots of performing arts fun every weekend.

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. 

For some children this was their first time performing in front of an audience by themselves and most were quite nervous about the prospect, no matter how experienced. After all, it’s sometimes much harder performing in front of people that you know well rather than complete strangers. Thus, a panel of your Jigsaw teachers and all your peers sat at one side eagerly watching you whilst waiting for their turn can be quite nerve wracking. The panel then gave the students feedback (positive, constructive criticism of course!) to help them build on their skills for next time.

Audition tips

It is important to remember that the tips below may seem quite obvious and easy to put into practice when you’re rehearsing in your bedroom with no one watching, but try remembering all of the following when the adrenaline of being at an audition kicks in. You’re lucky if you can stand still to say your name and age without getting all flustered!

1. Arrive Early

When going to an audition the last thing you want to be nervous about is being late or not being able to find the correct building. If you arrive early it gives you a chance to sit down, absorb your surroundings and most of all to breathe before entering the room. Being calm before an audition will help you to think clearly and focus on what you need to do.

2. Dress appropriately for the role

Always think about the role you’re auditioning for and dress as similarly as possible to help the casting director imagine you as the part. If you’re auditioning for a tomboy then it would make sense to wear sporty clothes rather than a pink pretty dress. If you feel as though you are the part then you will be much more comfortable and natural acting the role as well. It’s an easy way to give yourself the best possible chance by showing that you’ve really thought about the character.

3. Look like your headshot

If you’re with an agency or you’re on Spotlight then it is crucial that you look like your headshot. Especially with children, as a different hair cut can make a big difference and children’s appearances can change quite quickly as they’re growing up. Remember, if a casting director has requested you to attend an audition then they’re expecting you to look just like your photo, so keep them up to date.

4. Learn your lines

If you have been sent a script for an audition or a monologue to look at then do your best to learn the lines off by heart. Not only will it show that you have used your initiative but you will feel more confident when you’re in the audition room and will be able to concentrate on the acting itself.

5. Don’t over learn your lines

This one is tricky and these two audition tips sound like a huge contradiction! But remember that casting directors need to see that you can take ‘direction’ as, after all, if you get the job that is exactly what you’ll be doing. Sometimes if you learn your lines a particular way they’re so ingrained in your head that you will find it difficult to change the way you say them if asked to do so. Always learn your lines but make sure you practice delivering them in different ways so you don’t get stuck in the audition!

6. Slow down

One main sign of nervousness is speeding through your lines. Remember with the adrenaline flowing that you should take your time, think about what you’re saying and take a couple of deep breaths before going for it. In real life, people are usually quite relaxed when they speak and the aim as an actor is to always speak your lines like your character is a real person having a real conversation.

7. If you make a mistake just carry on

Even the best actors in the world occasionally make mistakes on stage. The joys of being human! However, it’s the good actors that are able to carry on and cover up their mistakes so that the audience don’t even realise. Directors will be looking for poise and control so if something does go wrong, just take a deep breath and pick up from where you were to push on through!

8. Remember the panel are your friends

It’s easy to forget when auditioning that the panel want you to get the role as much as you want to get it. Their purpose is to find the right person for the part and nothing will overjoy them more than someone entering the room and delivering a brilliant audition which secures them the role. That is, after all, the job of a casting director. Even if it’s for your teachers – I guarantee they will be sitting there crossing their fingers that you will do your very best, especially if it’s material that they have taught you!

9. Make it fun!

If you’re having fun and enjoying the experience of auditioning then it’s likely that this will rub off on the panel and they will enjoy watching you. This is exactly the response you’re hoping for!

10. Let it go!

Once you have left the audition room the outcome is completely out of your hands. Don’t dwell on what you could have or didn’t do because you can’t change it now. Have a quick think about what you might like to do differently for next time, then just let it go because that skill is useful in developing yourself as an actor and acquiring a thick skin. It sometimes helps to think of auditions like a lottery ticket – amazing if you win, but if not then you’ll just try again next time!

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.