Looking for a way to let your child express their creativity, build confidence and practise their speaking skills? Then, drama classes may be for them!
With the guidance of drama teachers, your child will learn all about stage presence, clear communication, and more.
Keep reading to discover our top picks for the best drama classes near you.
Drama classes are good for:
- Speech development
- Social and emotional development
- Building confidence
- Public speaking
Drama classes for 3- and 4-year-olds
At this age, classes will be focused on introducing your little one to simple drama activities that help to build their confidence, expand their creativity, and grow their passion for acting.
You’ll probably find your little one exploring drama through immersive, play-oriented activities. This includes things like storytelling and puppetry, as well as musical theatre and rhymes.
What is the youngest age to start acting?
Children from as young as a few months old can appear in simple roles for commercials and shows. But it’s when kids are 8-11 years old that they can start getting more serious about building an acting career. (1)
Drama classes for toddlers in London
Musical Mayhem in Surrey Docks brings musical theatre to 2-5-year-olds with fun music, sensory props, and lots of dancing!
Clip Theatre in Bromley takes 1-5-year-olds on a whimsical drama journey through immersive storytelling and live music.
Find drama classes near you: view drama classes
Drama classes for kids
Drama classes for kids are usually kept quite lighthearted and fun while they learn about acting fundamentals.
The goal is to get them excited about constructing imaginative storylines and characters while building their confidence and speaking skills.
Your child can expect lots of role-playing and storytelling games, in addition to more formal acting.
The aim is to help them practise using body language and speech to bring out various characters and storylines.
Are drama classes good for kids?
Drama classes can be good for kids as they develop speaking and storytelling skills, which can help with building confidence, communication, creativity, teamwork, and more. (2)
Is drama good for shy kids?
Drama lessons can be good for shy kids as they’ll be encouraged to learn lines and speak in front of others. This allows them to feel more confident in expressing themselves in a safe, welcoming environment.
What skills does drama develop in children?
Drama can help children develop a variety of communication skills like public speaking, good pronunciation, and using body language to convey confidence.
This can also lead to them honing many soft skills like creative storytelling, concentration and cooperation.
What do kids do in drama classes?
In drama classes, young children begin with storytelling. They immerse themselves in the story and act out the plotline through imaginary play.
Sometimes music and movements are included to help them recreate the story through their actions.
Children learn to use gestures to communicate their emotions and start expressing themselves more freely.
Acting out stories and imaginative play can help improve social skills. It also encourages children to think creatively and to see stories from different perspectives.
Drama classes can help children to speak confidently in front of their friends. This is done through speech activities and games or mini-performances in front of the other children or parents.
Are drama schools worth it?
Drama schools usually refer to more serious acting classes, so they can be worth it if your child is keen on pursuing a career as an actor.
Bear in mind that such schools require commitment and are less casual than regular speech and drama classes, which are more for those interested in it as a hobby.
Find drama classes near you: view drama classes
Drama classes for kids in London
The Conservatoire in Blackheath has a range of classes (music, art, and drama), with classes for toddlers all the way up to teens.
They have a kids drama class as part of their Youth Theatre for 5-7-year-olds and 7-10-year-olds. Here, your child will be introduced to the basics of theatre through fun games and simple scripts.
Dakoda’s Dance Academy in Knightsbridge caters to 7-11-year-olds who are keen on developing their acting, movement, and communication skills.
Pop School and Stage Academy in Beckenham is great for 6-16-year-olds who are keen to develop their dancing, singing, and acting skills at the same time.
Acting classes for teens near you
Depending on the individual school, acting classes for teens can either be casual or more serious, depending on your goals.
In addition to learning scripts and acting in a group, they may be introduced to more advanced skills like improvisational theatre, scriptwriting, and character development.
At what age should teens go to drama school?
Your teenager will usually need to be at least 18 years old to enter drama schools that lead to a diploma or degree qualification. (3)
Drama classes for teens in London
Dakoda’s Dance Academy has acting classes with a musical theatre focus for teens aged 11-17 in the Knightsbridge area.
Anna Fiorentini Performing Arts School in Tufnell Park provides teens up to 17 years of age with a well-rounded performing arts education covering singing, dancing, and acting skills.
LAMDA classes near you
LAMDA classes are specifically designed to help your child prepare for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) examinations, which are used as a benchmark for their performance and communication proficiency.
Pop School and Stage Academy runs LAMDA exam preparation classes in Beckenham for 7-16-year-olds.
What does LAMDA stand for?
The term “LAMDA” stands for London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, which is a well-known drama school in the UK.
What is LAMDA for kids?
LAMDA for kids refers to the LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) examination that’s tailored to children.
Is LAMDA hard to get into?
It can be challenging to gain entry into the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). That is why it’s helpful to prepare for the application process under the guidance of a teacher.
Find drama classes near you: view drama classes
Drama classes for adults
Whether you’re looking to progress through your acting career or pick up a new hobby, drama classes can provide a safe, supportive environment for improving your skills.
You’ll be encouraged to grapple with their nerves, tap into your creativity, work on your communication skills, and take risks when presenting your stories in front of an audience.
Is it too late to go to drama school?
It’s never too late to go to drama school! As long as you have a love for acting and are committed to honing your skills, there’s no harm in trying to enter a drama school of your choice.
Is it worth taking acting classes?
Acting is a social activity. This is why taking classes in a group with a teacher to guide you can be crucial for improving your skills.
Drama classes for adults in London
Chicken Shed Theatre in Southgate runs adult drama classes for those looking to hone their performing arts skills in a warm, welcoming environment.
Activities range from exploring scripts and characters to improvisation and drama games.
What is involved in special needs drama classes?
Special needs drama classes offer participants a supportive, nurturing environment in which they can explore their creativity.
Drama games and activities provide an enjoyable way to gain greater self-confidence and develop one’s communication skills, social interaction, problem-solving and collaboration, regardless of age or ability.
Drama classes in London near you
You can check out Pop School and Stage Academy for acting, singing, and dance lessons.
For those considering a more serious career in acting, you can consider taking lessons from The Conservatoire’s Youth Theatre in Blackheath.
Their members have gone on to attend several prestigious drama schools, including LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) and Drama Centre London.
FAQs about drama classes
What is the best age to start drama classes?
Drama classes can begin at any age, as long as your child is able to take some basic instructions. However, formal acting classes are usually suited to those eight years old and up, as they’ll be better able to read and memorise lines. (4)
How do drama classes help a child’s development?
Drama classes can help in many areas of development: they help build a child’s confidence, creativity, teamwork, and concentration. Many find that drama is a great way to hone these skill areas because it’s done in a fun, creative, and relaxed way. (5)
Are drama classes good for autism?
Drama therapy can be good for children with autism, as it allows them to practise acting out social exchanges and labelling their feelings in a safe, predictable environment. (6)
However, bear in mind that the effectiveness of drama lessons for children with autism can depend on the severity and type of symptoms that a child has.
What age do speech and drama classes start?
Speech and drama lessons can start as early as two years old, and classes will usually be tailored to the developmental stage of the children. Classes for younger ones should have a more play-oriented feel.
References
- ”What is a Good Age to Start Acting? Does Age Matter in Acting?”, 2 Be An Actor.
- “The benefits of drama for young children”, The Drama Toolbox.
- “Getting into drama school in the UK”, Films on a Shoestring.
- “What’s a good age to start acting?”, Bubblegum Casting.
- “The benefits of drama for children”, Faust International Youth Theatre.
- “Effectiveness of drama therapy on social skills of autistic children”, Practice in Clinical Psychology.
