Ahead of their certificate presentation, Amy sat down with some Group 3 students at Jigsaw Crouch End to find out what Jigsaw means to them..

 

 

Amy: You’ve all been coming to Jigsaw Crouch End for a really long time! Jasper – you’ve been here 13 years! But can you all remember your first day at Jigsaw?

 

Mia: My first day at Jigsaw, I came in and everyone was really welcoming and kind. I absolutely loved it and had so much fun. I made so many friends in my first year and I’ve been here for ages now!

 

Katie: My first day was nearly six years ago, so I’m really old now! I came in and Amy introduced me to the people in my group and made sure I made friends. Everyone wanted to be friends, so it was really nice.

Josie: I started in group 1 and I came in with a full-on leopard print outfit! Now I’m really embarrassed about it! Ha ha! But everyone made me feel really welcome.

 

Amy: Great! And what are your favourite memories of Jigsaw? A highlight? Maybe a show or a piece you’ve performed?

 

Koralie: My favourite piece was when I was in group 2. We were ready to go on stage and I was dressed in a black and gold costume. I was so scared but I knew that performing is my thing and I want to do this for the rest of my life!

 

Kasper: It was last year, we did a show called Finding Neverland and we were the lost boys!
Jasper: Donkeys years ago, we did a take on Little Shop of Horrors. We were plant busters and it was a really great adaptation. Lots of fun. I was called Robert! Great name!

Mia: I remember that show! I came to watch it -I was in the 5&6’s class at the time! My favourite show when I was six was a circus story. I was a clown who was sad and everyone helped me to feel happy again. My Dad fully sprayed my hair and I had face paint! I don’t think anyone can beat that!

 

 

 

We spoke to Jigsaw Bushey Franchisee Katie to learn more about the day…

 

“Earlier this month, the 7+ year old students at Jigsaw Bushey performed ‘The Fallen Hero’ to an audience of friends and family for their end of term show. And it was a massive success! Myself and the team at Jigsaw Bushey are beyond proud of all of the students!

The great thing about the Bushey Academy, where we perform our end of term shows at Jigsaw Bushey, is that it has the most divine theatre. It’s gorgeous. With the lighting and atmosphere, it really does feel like a professional experience for the kids.

Offering the students this experience is so magical. Throughout the term they rehearse in a different space and they don’t actually see the theatre until the big day. It’s the biggest challenge and the most exciting part of it all. 

There’s a backstage room where we get everyone all warmed up. Making sure we’ve got our face gems and glitter to spray on! Once costumes are ready to go, we get straight onto the stage to rehearse and perform! And at that point, you know, the kids, especially if it’s their first time performing, and they see how big the audience will be, it does get really, really exciting.

We had a lovely technician called Anna who did our lighting and sound. And an interesting story about Anna, is that she started with us as a Jigsaw teaching assistant! She now works professionally in the industry doing mainly sound. So I got her on board to be our technician for the morning, and it was really lovely to see her again. 

When it comes to the show itself, it is so exciting. The hustle and bustle! The theatre was jam -packed, completely full. Backstage, we have three members of staff to support the students. We’ve got someone in the dressing room, one along the corridor getting the kids to and from the stage and then one person backstage. 

Our lovely dance teacher Kim has the students repeat lots of positive affirmations to each other every week, and we did this before the show. When we are preparing the students to perform, we believe in the importance of encouragement and empowerment!

The students perform their best when they are in this positive space. Scaring them with “if you don’t know your lines, you’re going to be on stage and you look silly” is not what we do!

Kim is really good at getting the kids together and empowering them by saying things like “you are amazing! Tell me, I am amazing!” and they proudly repeat it and say it to the person next to them etc. And this is so special.

The process of show day this year felt like such teamwork. Every group coming together with positivity, and for the kids to support each other on stage and know that they’ve got each other’s backs is invaluable. You know, the theatre world is all about coming together as a cast! 

I am really looking forward to next years show, bring on 2024!” – Katie, Jigsaw Bushey

Rachel, owner and manager of Jigsaw Performing Arts Broxbourne answers some of your frequently asked questions about the Little Ones Classes at Jigsaw Arts.

As the Manager and Franchisee of three Jigsaw Schools, it goes without saying that I wholeheartedly believe in the benefits of performing arts classes, and how it can aid student growth and development at all ages. Throughout my 10 years at Jigsaw I have been lucky enough to have experienced teaching all age groups across all 3 disciplines.

However, my journey with Jigsaw Arts originally began working as a Performing Arts Class Assistant at Jigsaw Ealing, with the Little Ones (3-4 and 5-6 years). It was then that I realised how much of an impact the performing arts can have on students who are in such a key developmental stage of their learning.

 

 

From here, I have gone on to teach many Jigsaw Little Ones classes over the years and I am now privileged to be able to run the termly training for all new cohorts of Jigsaw Little Ones Performing Arts teachers, joining us across the network.

Below, I will use my knowledge to answer some of the key questions that I often get asked by perspective parents and carers who are interested in signing up their little ones for our fun filled performing arts sessions!

 

 

“Jigsaw felt like a family from the moment I stepped through the doors on my first day as a student – so much so that I returned as soon as I could to teach! I look forward to inspiring the students bringing fun Performing Arts classes to Wandsworth”

 

Why do you want to open a Jigsaw School?

It has always been my dream to open a Jigsaw School! From the perspective of an ex student and teacher of 5 years, Jigsaw is a place that sparks creativity, imagination and a sense of belonging for students and staff. Performing Arts classes for children aged 3-18 are really beneficial to build confidence, communication and social skills.  I’m really excited to open my school Jigsaw Performing Arts Wandsworth and bring more creative classes to young people in South West London!

What are you most excited about?

I’m most excited for our first show term at Jigsaw Performing Arts Wandsworth. It’s my favourite term – I love seeing the dance, drama and singing pieces students have been working hard on. It’s a great chance for the students to have lots of fun and build their confidence to perform in front of their families. Seeing the show come to life with the costumes and props is always very magical!

What do you hope to inspire in the young people of your area?

I hope to inspire students to be their authentic selves, and not be afraid to be silly or make mistakes at Jigsaw! Through our Singing, Dance and Drama classes I want to inspire creativity – absolutely anything is possible when you use your imagination. Jigsaw Wandsworth is a place to belong for everyone; so I hope to inspire a feeling of community and a place where every single young person fits in.

 

Book your two-week trial today by emailing wandsworth@jigsaw-arts.co.uk or calling 02078872478.