PUTTING KIDS’ EMOTIONAL HEALTH CENTRE STAGE

STACEY LEE’S CENTRE STAGE, MARATHON STREET, TAREE.

Changing from performing arts classes in the flesh, to a totally online environment has been a huge challenge for astute young business woman Stacey Evans, from Stacey Lee’s Centre Stage, in Taree. After a number of sleepless nights and IT training with studio owners around the world, it’s a challenge Stacey successfully met two weeks ago to sustain her Marathon Street studio.

For Stacey and her six staff, the outcome has been up to 14 live online group classes a week on Zoom. Classes in musical theatre, drama and hip hop are full of smiling children, super excited to see their friends and teachers. There’s also private classes for one-on-one personalised tuition.

“The children’s faces just light up when they see each other online,” said Stacey, who is very mindful of the potentially negative mental health aspects of keeping children in social isolation without regular creative outlets and meet-ups with friends.”

“At the beginning of each session, we start by sharing what we’re each grateful for in our day. Students have really got into the spirit of that, practising the art of expressing themselves positively. When they sing and perform, I find their emotion comes from a beautiful place.”

And, it’s not just the children really looking forward to their afternoon classes. “I’ve received so many compliments from parents for the effort we’ve put in. They’re saying classes with us are the highlight of their children’s week.”

Plans are afoot for an expanded Term 2 program with competitions and interactive online dress-up performances, simulating as closely as possible what would have happened at the Taree and District Eisteddfod and other events.

“Keeping things as normal as possible and ensuring physical and mental health for all young people will be so important as the weeks roll out.”