Welcome to Stagecraft
We aim to open the minds of our students to different paths and methods of communication and expression. We help our students discover their talents, develop their skills, and enhance their love for expression through the arts.
Why We Started
Stagecraft is not about putting on a show- it is about developing the personality of the student and instilling a sense of self-worth and confidence in themselves. The different areas we explore are to help our students understand their abilities and express themselves in a myriad of art forms. What they learn is not just for theatre or stage, it’s for life. We want the learning to be a part of their DNA. Their personalities are shaped by what they do and learn with us.
Our Teaching Method
The purpose is to elicit information from the student instead of by rote. At Stagecraft, we do not teach based on what the student is good at. It is about allowing them to explore new areas and experimenting with art forms. The exams are not about getting the highest mark- they are a vehicle to help the child try out a different area of performance. It’s the learning curve that counts. It’s not a competition with anyone else. It’s about bettering/improving yourself. The journey with us is a balance between learning method and technique whilst still having fun. It’s a fun learning approach.
The Directors
Suranjika
For her, performance is about finding your method to express yourself, and your thoughts and ideas using appropriate art forms and engaging with the people around you. She wants to equip students with methods to express themselves without being limited by societal norms or traditions.
For Sura, the concept of ‘elocution’ as it is used in Sri Lanka, is far removed from her teaching method. Elocution is merely an element in speech technique and her classes do not work on this concept. She teaches through drama activities and performance arts and uses these to also teach technique in speech and communication. She uses her poetry as a performance arts tool to create awareness and add to the narrative.
Even though Suranjika pursued her initial academics and career in law while teaching performance arts, she decided to concentrate all her energy and focus on her passion for education. Her educational qualifications range from an MA in English Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Colombo University, and a certificate in Masterpieces of World Literature from the University of Harvard to both Licentiate and Associate of the Trinity College London. She is one of the first three Sri Lankans to be selected to the examiner panel for Drama for Trinity College London.
Rapti
Rapti feels that vocal performance allows you to connect with the hearts and minds of people and creates a bond because they remember how you made them feel. Teaching vocal technique is not about just singing a song prettily, but to understand the nuances in technique and emotion, and integrate them into a perfect vocal delivery.
She believes that the training technique for an individual voice versus an ensemble/choir requires a different approach. There is a common misconception that singing in a choir, results in reaching one’s vocal potential. Whilst this does improve choral technique, it may not be the ideal method to address the requirements of each unique voice. Rapti uses singing as a tool to spread positivity and inspire a community to engage with each other through music as an art form. She firmly believes that singing is not only for performance and teaching but that it should be used as a universal language to reach out to all communities and peoples. The greatest influencers on her music career are the great gurus Lylie Godrige, Mary Anne David and Naomi Gooneratne.
With an understanding of different types of music ranging from opera to jazz, pop and swing to classical, Rapti seeks to inculcate this passion in anyone who has an interest in exploring these areas.
Rapti ventured into the field of Advertising for a decade, and is CIM UK qualified. Music had always been integral to her, and she made the decision to immerse herself in this part of her life, and started out as an assistant teacher at the MerryAn Singers Junior Ensemble. She then took up the role as a vocal director for twelve years at Holy Family Convent Bambalapitiya. During this time she co-founded ‘Vocal Essence’, a singing academy for children. She has completed her graded exams in Singing from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music and in Musical Theatre from Trinity College London.
Why We Are Different
Our lesson plans are designed to enable participants to learn, explore and combine different art forms to express and narrate their story more creatively. We help combine technique and imagination effectively to significantly improve skills and learning within a given time frame.
We ensure that the required individual attention is given
to each student even within our group classes.
Our curriculum focuses primarily on enjoying the process of learning as opposed to an exam centric culture, while embracing the concept of disciplined learning and working steadily towards a goal.
Our curriculum and teaching methods, allow each individual the freedom to choose her / his own path in performance.
Our teaching recognises and exposes our students to empathise and accept diversity in culture, language, religion, gender and those challenged mentally or physically.
We strive to constantly update ourselves with technique, teaching methods and art forms.
We are able to adapt to environmental challenges through the use of technology, to deliver uninterrupted learning. This proved ideal during the Covid pandemic and the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
What We Offer
Drama Lessons
Drama Lessons
Individual and For Groups
Drama is the main discipline under which we offer subjects such as Acting, Speech and Drama, Communication Skills, Musical Theatre and Performance Arts. Participants have the option of obtaining a Teaching or Performing, Associate or Licentiate Diploma in Speech and Drama, Performance Arts or Communication Skills.
Holiday & Weekend Workshops
Customised Workshops & Programmes
Customised Workshops & Programmes
Corporates and Not-for-Profit organisations.
Team building through performance arts techniques.
Tailor- made performance arts programmes for the end user. Eg: Edutainment programmes for the customers of minor savings accounts in banks, and programmes for Sunday school students through puppetry, storytelling, creation of costumes and performance.
Examinations
Examinations
We offer graded and diploma qualifications (postgraduate level) across a range of disciplines in the performing arts. Drama exams- Acting, Speech and Drama, Communication skills, Musical Theatre (individual, pair and groups), Performance Arts (individual, pair and groups), Singing and Rock & Pop, Young Performers Certificate- foundation course for five- to seven-year-olds, Associate and Licentiate Diplomas.