After school courses, holiday workshops, Saturday drop-ins – there is a proliferation of centres and classes across London, some taking kids as young as three. Here are some pointers to help you choose one that suits.

The term ‘performance art’ covers a host of different disciplines and the emphasis on drama, dance or singing differs widely from centre to centre so it is worth doing some homework to establish what sort of class would be best suited to your child. The overriding message from everyone I spoke to is that drama/performance art classes are about FUN.

Not just the domain of confident children who have been dressing up and playing charades since they were in nappies, many of the principals I spoke to stressed that classes can be particularly beneficial to shyer, less assured children, helping them to gain confidence in expressing themselves in a relaxed environment. And if they don’t want to perform in public, a number of classes don’t work towards public shows or have important stage management or lighting roles for those who don’t like being on stage.

Although the majority of kids attend classes simply as a hobby, there is a link between a number of the schools and professional acting work. Some, such as Stagecoach, have casting agencies affiliated to them, others will consider casting a particular child (providing the child/parents are willing) on a more ad hoc basis. If your child does get work through an agency, the agency will generally take a cut of approximately 20%.

Schools and Classes

Allsorts
Tel 020 8969 3249
When and where
After school, Sats, holiday workshops in Fulham, South Kensington, Hampstead Ages 4–16.Little ones do one hour, older children two. Strong drama/acting emphasis; some dance insofar as it supports the acting; currently collaborating with the Royal Court who are writing a play for the older children; kids can enter a series of accredited exams.

Centre Stage
Tel 020 7328 0788
When and where
Saturdays during term time and half term/holiday workshops in Hampstead, Holland Park and Harley Street. Ages 3–17. Three hours: an hour of dance (emphasis on funk and street jazz), an hour of singing (musical theatre, pop) and an hour of drama (stories and drama games, script work). No agency work. No exams.

Dramatic Dreams
Tel 020 8741 1809
When and where
After school at various west London venues, Sats at Polish Centre in Hammersmith, holidays at the Riverside Studios Hammersmith. Ages 5–15. One hour per week for younger children: they develop a popular story through improvisation and devise a play – non-prescriptive. Older children have two hours per week: more structured; some singing/dance but fundamentally drama based.

ESTA
Tel 020 8741 2843
When and where
Saturday am during term time in Chiswick. Ages 7–18. Three hours per session (term times only): An hour of music with an emphasis on the world of musical theatre; an hour of movement, generally tied into a routine with whatever song the kids are working on; an hour of drama – breathing, voice projection, stagecraft. The Christmas term finishes with a specially written panto. (Agency affiliated)

Perform
Tel 020 7209 3805
When and where
After school and Sat ams during term time, holiday workshops at centres in Notting Hill, South Kensington, Chelsea, Fulham, Barnes and Chiswick. Ages 4–7. After school classes one hour, Sat classes 11/2 hours: divided into three sections: move and feel; listen, speak and sing; create and imagine. Smaller age range than most schools which Perform feels enables greater focus; each term follows a particular theme (next term it is Under the Sea) and a specially written curriculum. No scripts. No agency work. Older kids who have enjoyed the Perform method could try the Bigfoot Theatre Company for a similar approach for children of 8+ - tel 020 7952 5546

Stagecoach
Tel 020 8398 4709 (Chiswick);
Tel 020 7602 8585 (Kensington and Fulham)
When and where
Fri after school and Sat ams in Chiswick, Sat ams in Kensington and Fulham; holiday workshops in all venues. Ages 4–16. A massive international company, Stagecoach operates through a series of franchises following a tried and tested formula. They pioneered the hour of drama, hour of music, hour of dance framework that is now used across the board. Large affiliated casting agency.

Theatre Schools

Arts Ed
Cone Ripman House
14 Bath Road, W4
Tel 020 8987 6600

Sylvia Young Theatre School
6 Rossmore Rd, NW1
Tel 020 7402 0673 Full-time school for children aged 10-16 as well as Saturday/
holiday classes.

Central School of Speech and Drama
Eton Ave, NW3
Tel 020 7559 3960
Runs Saturday classes for children aged 6–17.