Each class is designed to teach confidence and self-expression beginning with movement and story telling, building up to script reading, improvisation and the production of scripted works and devised pieces. The students develop their confidence, team work and communication skills through practical theatre training leading to a showcase performance in a real theatre space.

From time to time we take a show to a professional venue for a 4 week run.

Aims and objectives: In the classes we aim to teach the students to demonstrate an understanding of -

• How to use their voices to the best effect in a variety of theatre / classroom environments.
• Ways into text - enabling them to comprehend and animate the text.
• How to use their bodies effectively to enhance the story telling process.
• Characterisation
• Devising and improvisation skills
• Different genres of plays (including tragedy, comedy, classical, modern etc.) and the specialist skills required for interpreting and performing them.
• The use of make-up and costume to enhance the performance.
• The use of lighting, sound and other effects to enhance the performance.
• Roles and responsibilities in the theatre, on stage and off.
• The discipline, dedication, hard work and respect for the group and the individual required to mount a successful stage performance.
• Some other specialist skills including juggling, stage combat, sword fighting and dance.
• Heath and safety in a theatre

‘Having such a talented group of child actors from South London Theatre bodes well for the future of acting in this country. When I was at the theatre, there was a decided buzz at the end. The audience wanted to talk about what they had seen. It was an evening well spent.’

Richard Woulfe - UK Theatre Network: on our previous production of ‘Stay With Me’. Greenwich Playhouse August 2006.

Course fees and payments:

Fees must be paid in full by week 5 of a current course to register for the following course. If the fees have not been paid in advance for the following course the child will not be on the register and therefore will not be able to attend the class. Paying for the classes in advance is the only way to guarantee your child a place on the next course. On week six of each course, unfilled places will be offered to the next person on the waiting list. The reason for this is because we have had many cases during the last year of fees being paid very late and also places being booked and no one turning up to take them. This is very unfair to those on the waiting list. If any parent finds it difficult to pay the total fees for the class in one lump sum I am happy to speak to them about paying across two weeks, weeks 5 & 6 of the previous term for example but all fees must be paid in advance. No other exceptions will be made.

Fees per six week course:

The fees may be paid by cash or cheque. All cheques should be made payable to South London Theatre.

Registration for the next course beginning on Saturday 8th September 2007:

Registration for our next course will open on Monday 18th June 2007. To register please download and complete the application form in full and return it for the attention of Maria Bates – Training Director, South London Theatre Youth Classes, 2a Norwood High Street, SE27 9NS with a cheque made payable to South London Theatre, for the first course.

The new registration for course one of the autumn term is totally open and the classes will be filled on a first come, first served basis so the sooner you apply the more likely you are secure a place for your child. Where there are two classes in one age group they will be filled in order of application so there will not be any option about which one your child wishes to be placed in. The only exception to this is the junior classes, as they will run at different times. While there are places available in a particular junior class you may choose which time slot you prefer. I expect them to fill up quickly so if you have two children who want to be in the same class I suggest you send their applications together in one envelope.

Please note that pre-payment is required to secure a place for next term but does not guarantee a place. If we are not able to offer your child a place as your application arrives after the class is full we will keep their name on the waiting list until a place becomes available. For security and insurance reasons the teachers will only be allowed to have children in the class whose names are on the register. This means that we do not allow friends to come along to visit the class if they happen to be staying with the student.

Should your child be unable to attend any one of the days during the course, refunds are not available.

Parents: Please download and read all the following important information prior to applying for the class:.

If you have any further questions concerning the Youth Theatre Programme, please contact me at maria@southlondontheatre.co.uk

Maria Bates
Training Director South London Theatre