Upper School

Our Upper School runs three hours a week. Students continue their training in the three disciplines of theatre: Singing, Drama and Dance and the integration of these three disciplines. With a more intense focus and higher level of training at this level, our upper school syllabus introduces and further develops everything required for successful training and progress to further education, in the world of modern musical theatre: acting skills, devising skills, improvisation, voice, acting through song, song & dance, solo singing technique, ensemble singing, choreography and modern dance, body conditioning and fitness and audition technique and repertoire.

Students will be influenced and taught by our fabulous team of industry professionals; performers, directors, choreographers and musical directors, all of whom are there to encourage and inspire our students. They also have more contact time with our Artistic Director at this level. Our team is exceptional and our focus is very much student led. We create an environment that makes the students feel like they belong, one big supportive family where they can be fearlessly brave and confident in their further development.

The team highlights to Students their own creative possibilities; encouraging them to be the best version of themselves that they can be as a performer and as an individual. Theatre skills are transferrable life skills, not everyone wants to be a star but everyone wants to be the best version of themselves!

Upper School do a mixture of their own performances as well as in-house examination performances and concerts as well as joining up with the Lower School in larger productions. We offer as many performance opportunities as possible. (Professional to those suited and also preparation classes for higher education stage school entry).

Our shows aren’t like other Stage School shows. We try to offer the students an experience as close to that of a ‘pro’ show as possible. Professional venues, with our professional creative and production teams who demonstrate to the students just how tough live theatre is, the self discipline and ability to be a team player that is required, and also how much fun it can be!

Students experience the audition process and learn how and why a show is cast and how to manage expectations and further develop your belief in yourself and your peers and that transition from our world to the real world outside!

We offer 1-1 sessions in voice and acting alongside our upper school centre stages session and students are able to take LAMDA Acting Examinations as well as Performance Arts Awards. These examinations at higher level also equate to UCAS points.

For those with determination and potential in Musical Theatre, our Dance Studio (The Dance Centre) continues the training opportunities throughout the week. Offering classes and examinations in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Street and Contemporary Dance. Allowing the development of the technical triple threat performer and the essential preparation required for those with aspirations of a Musical Theatre future.

We also do a lot of 1-1 prep for students preparing to go on to conservatoire level. Monologue and song preparation and audition technique and guidance. What our team doesn’t know about this stage - isn’t worth knowing. Twice a year we hold Audition preparation intensive days and also ‘Their Future in the Arts’ presentation for parents who want to find out a little more.