Joining Stage1

Stage1 is an informal group for anyone aged 7-10 who wants to find out more about drama, make new friends and have loads of fun! Each week we focus on basic drama skills, confidence building and play a range of imaginative games

Stage1 is open to absolutely all 7-8 year olds (and some aged 9-10 if they would feel comfier here than the main company) from Birmingham and its surrounding regions. There is no audition to join, and no previous experience is required, places are allocated on a first come, first served basis

Stage1: Spring 2012 - Options

Stage1 continues from February 4th for those aged between 7 and 10 years old! Fun, games and acting sessions for young children. You will make some lovely friends at Stage1 and you will have a great time playing games and learning a few acting hints and tips along the way. As with the other workshops there will be a sharing at the end of term to give you the chance to try your new skills out in front of an audience. If you are 9 or 10, as Stage1 runs in the afternoon, it is possible to attend one of Stage2’s session in the morning as well, but you must attend the Stage2 intro on January 28th (9.30am – 2.30pm) and sign up on the registers.

If you are not sure which options would suit you most, please ask us for advice!

Stage1 runs in the afternoons (1.30 - 5pm).

The term runs until Saturday 14th April (with NO WEEK off for half term)

If you are interested in Stage1 then please contact our Company Manager, Lucy Bailey-Wright, on 07961018841 as members will not have the same Intro Session.

Joining Stage2

Stage2 is open to absolutely all 9-21 year olds from Birmingham and its surrounding regions. There is no audition to join Stage2, and no previous experience is required, places are allocated on a first come, first served basis.

As well as the educational benefits of Stage2 we have numerous fun, social events that all our members may choose to take advantage of which are explained in our weekly admin slot. We offer at least 4 Saturday options each term, designed to cater for our members‚ a wide range of interests and abilities. Please note we cannot always guarantee everyone their first choice, we do however guarantee that there is room for everyone in the productions (every single term)!

You will also have the opportunity to join our Marketing and Fund-Raising Committees, learning useful skills and gaining real work experience. Schedules and diaries are given out at the Intro Session and options are explained in more detail, with all times and commitment levels confirmed for the whole term.

Please phone 07961 018841 or Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any queries at any time!

Stage2: Spring 2012 - Options

We have many great options for you to choose from this term, why not check out below to see what you might like to do...

• Production – Jim Cartwright’s Road (Cast all day Chorus am + some pm) Performances 18th – 21st April 2012 at The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham. ‘Beneath the gags, the playwright’s rumbling sense of lost dignity resulting from unemployment and chauvinism, gives this stunning debut a perceptive and frightening reality.’ City Limits.  First staged at the Royal Court in 1986, Road tells of one wild night in a derelict northern street. Sharp and comic scenes jostle viciously to expose a population driven mad by despair. With recent riots and Government cuts, this will be a timely revival – we will examine ‘community neglect’ and individuals’ loneliness and how we can actively contribute to happiness and security within our own neighbourhoods. This is a difficult script and we will be toning down some of the language, whilst still retaining the impact and power. There are some great chorus scenes - some as a whole group and some breaking down into old and young chorus – having a wild night on the tiles and breaking into houses respectively! Everyone will take part in a positive and uplifting finale – looking to a brighter, better future.

• General Drama (am) This term we are focussing on GAMES, looking at WHO they are aimed at, WHY we use games, WHEN we should play, WHERE we should play, WHAT they teach us and most importantly HOW we play games!! Each member will be given handouts each week detailing some of the chosen games – building up a useful resource to keep for use in the future. We will learn lots of games and all their rules before we play. Then we will play the game and learn the skills it teaches – adapting where necessary to get the most out of it.  After we have played we will discuss why/when it works (or doesn’t!), what skills it helps improve and how the game varies with different group sizes and in different situations. We will be looking at drama games through the ages and familiar Stage2 classic games as well as some newer, more obscure games. Each week will be self-contained so members can miss weeks but obviously the more weeks you attend the more you will learn. This will be an excellent option for anyone thinking of assisting in Stage2 workshops or working with young people in future jobs. 

• Skills Workshop (pm) In the Spring term the Skills Workshop will concentrate on the art of play, incorporating clowning techniques, stereotypical commedia figures and elements of Greek choral work. The term of workshops aims specifically to develop the timing skills and ability of the individuals, whether that is comic timing or timing within the ensemble. By incorporating comic text and commedia character profiles, influenced particularly by the work of Dario Fo, the workshops will not only create a buzz of excitement but also greatly enlighten members about the new and exciting studied fields.We are aware that Road is powerful and potentially harrowing and may not suit everyone, so we are offering a balance with these Spring workshops! Younger members of the company should definitely think about a day of General Drama followed by Clowning and Commedia. They will have a light-hearted and fun term, whilst still learning valuable techniques to feed into future performance work and also help with schoolwork!

• Stage1 (pm) – a smaller, informal group for the under 10s (please see above)

Stage1 & 2: Spring 2012 - Fees

ONLY £110 per person for the whole term (Before 1st November)
(£70 for any additonal brothers & sisters booked at the same time)

After 1st November fees will be £130 per person
(£90 for any additional brothers & sisters booked at the same time)

There are subsidised places available for anyone with a financial challenge‚ please click for a policy