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Five questions to... Emily Madghachian
A travelling drama troupe inspired Emily Madghachian to set up Kids Theatre Works! in the UAE seven years ago. What started as a one-woman show has grown to the point where she has six full-time staff and is flying professionals out from the United Kingdom later this year to teach after-school drama to hundreds of youngsters in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Here, Emily, who is originally from Canada but has spent most of her life in Dubai, tells Emirates Business more about how the company has grown beyond her expectations.
How did Kids Theatre Works! come about? I realised I wanted to work with kids while at university in Canada after I discovered how powerful drama can be. It was just me in the beginning going to primary schools in Dubai and Sharjah to teach creative drama. I never had a business plan I just wanted to work with children and the company has grown completely organically with classes added after people asked for something different or for me to teach older children. I have found myself asking how it came to this but it's great that the company has grown so much.
How easy was it for you to get the business off the ground? An old friend of mine is my sponsor and I have a business licence and insurance for all the children. It wasn't hard to start it up but I think that's more because I have lived here such a long time I knew people who could point me in the right direction for everything.
Did you need formal qualifications? I did a Teafl (English teaching) course, which taught me the basics of how to teach communication. If someone is teaching in a classroom I would insist they have a degree but with drama, passion is the most important thing. Most drama teachers have treaded the boards or spent years on stage and that is often better than a teaching qualification. It works on so many levels and is not just about standing in front of people but also about helping children gain confidence and communication skills. I think it's very important that every child should do some form of creative activity, whether it's drama or painting.
Is it difficult juggling your career with being a single mother? I've been a single mother since my daughter was three months old so it's all I've known. I don't think it's difficult because it's very rewarding. It's a good life but it would be easier if I could find more of a balance.
How do you plan to develop the business from here? I'm excited to be taking the plunge and bringing instructors out from the UK but we also want to capture the youth market. Up to now it has been focused on primary children but I want to offer something to the 15-plus age group. There is a lot of talent here but they don't have the opportunity to show it off. Children need somewhere to hone their skills. There is no stage school but I'd like to create a youth theatre club.
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