To get a quick feeling for what your child might do at Best Theatre Arts, have a look at this video shot by one of our ex-students, Ellie Utting - we think it captures the feeling of fun and friendship beautifully!
Your child can join Best Theatre Arts' Best classes from age 6. It provides a fantastic springboard, teaching skills that will be invaluable in whatever the children do with the rest of their lives.
Each 'school' meets for 3 hours. During this time your child will have separate theatre classes in acting, singing and dancing. We vary the order each week and there is a break between the second and third class for a snack. Even for the youngest children time absolutely flies!
The groups are divided by age - usually 6-8 (Green group), 9-11 (Blue group) and secondary school pupils (Yellow group). These splits may vary slightly according to the make up of each school. We are able to adjust our class content to meet the needs of each group - and within each group we get to know the individuals well.
Here are some videos of some numbers from recent shows, Histeria (Unwritten), Histeria (One Vision), Sunlight (Finale).
If you want to find out more about Best, you can download a leaflet here, or click here for a Registration Form.
Acting
In our drama classes at Best Theatre Arts children practically rather than theoretically, preferring giving it a go to talking about it! Our drama classes are based on drama games, text work, devising techniques and improvisation skills and are always challenging, fun and extremely popular. As the children progress they learn about different techniques and approaches to drama, characterisation and text - invaluable skills for GCSE!
Dancing
Not everyone is a budding Nuryev! But being in control of, and comfortable with your body is an excellent basis for good performance. Our dancing classes aim to give children confidence in their movement. Jazz and modern musical form the basis of most theatrical dance these days but most importantly we encourage and support everyone to have go at whatever we are doing. We know that some children are more comfortable moving about than others and we aim to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to particpate fully - stretching the more able and gently encouraging those less enthusiastic. Best Theatre Arts' Dance classes are great fun and often loud...
Singing
Singing is not just about hitting the right notes (although it sometimes sounds nicer if you do!) - it is also about rhythm, listening, energy in delivery and enthusiasm. At Best Theatre Arts we try to work on music we think the children will like rather than what might be best for them. We have found that when the children get enthusiastic about their songs, their singing really takes off. We also focus on the voice in performance - tone, pitch and volume! We have had fantastic results from our voice and singing classes with students showing huge progress from year to year.
Themes, Shows and Events
Each term at Best Theatre Arts has a theme and objectives. At the end of the Christmas term we invite parents in for an event. this may be open classes, a semi-rehearsed piece (like this term's High School Pantomime) or a concert of various pieces the groups have been working on. This is followed by mince pies and coffee!
The Spring term is Best Theatre Arts' show term with St Albans schools performing at the end of the term and Hertford starting part way through to put on their production in the summer term. We promise that every child will play a full part in our shows. This means we usually have to write our own pieces. these are episodic to ensure that each group has the stage to itself with enough time for everyone to have lines (if they want them). It is a massive commitment from us but every year we get better and better at delivering. The shows are always enthusiastically received and often parents are amazed at what the children are able to achieve.
Following the discipline of the rehearsal process, in the summer term we take a more relaxed approach. Often we'll decide in consultation with the students what our objectives will be - and often the children set themselves some very stiff targets! At the end of term we'll often invite parents in on a 'less formal' basis to see what their children have been up to.
Clothing
Students wear clothing that is easy to move around in. We do have Best Theatre Arts t-shirts available from time to time (and very occasionally we give everyone a free t-shirt) but we don't insist on uniform - children have enough of that during the week!
The one thing we do require children (once enrolled) to have is a pair of Jazz shoes which are ideal for our activities. These are available in dance shops and also through Debbie who visits each location every term. Dates of her visits are given well in advance.
