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WHO WE ARE
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Best Theatre Arts is a multi-award-winning Hertfordshire-based part-time performing arts school, established in 1998 by David Bevan and Annette Holland.
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Ex theatre professionals, David and Annette wanted to create the kind of performing arts school they'd want their own kids to attend; a safe place where opportunities are equal and children are treated with total respect, with quality and care at the heart of every class, camp and performance.
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Those values have not changed with Lisa Schulberg now at the helm, and we're proud of our unrivalled reputation for quality of training and pastoral care and how often we hear that schools have noticed a marked difference in the confidence of children who have attended Best.
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Get to know our full team here.
Dawn Hudson (Best Youth Theatre Director and Best School of Musical Theatre Acting Lead), Lisa Schulberg (Creative Director of Best, Best Youth Theatre Director and Best School of Acting Lead) directing at The National Theatre
Helping young people find themselves, find their voice and find their light through the performing arts for 25 years.
Being Best
Find your light
Best Youth Theatre Group 2
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WHAT WE DO
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We offer performing arts classes
both in term-time and in the holidays to young people
and adults aimed at building confidence, developing technique,
making new friends and, most importantly, having fun!
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We aim to always provide a safe, caring and relaxed environment where young people get the opportunity to be themselves, to realise their individual potential and be the best that they can be. Many of our musical theatre and acting students stay with us for many years and we have developed a range of classes so that we could support our young people as they mature and their creative interests change.
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We hold no auditions, knowing that every single student has the right to a place on our stage and that our performances are enriched by an inclusive, understanding and 'no favourites' ethos. Our students go on to thrive whatever their chosen path may be. See what they are up to here
2018 - 2023
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Best celebrates 25th anniversary. (2023)
Best continues virtual classes and performances throughout lockdown (2020).
Raring2go Winners Best School Age Club or Class (2019)
The Company launched (2021).
Bestfest created and hosted for over 800 attendees celebrating theatre and performance (2021).
Lisa Schulberg takes over as Creative Director (2021).
Find a Partner performed by Best Youth Theatre, who are selected for the second time in seven years to perform at The National Theatre as part of National Theatre Connections (2022).
Performances Included
Daydreaming performed (2018).
These Bridges performed at The Maltings Theatre and ArtsDepot (2018).
Are we Connected? performed at The Roman Theatre of Verulamium (2018)
Olympiaganza sells out The Roman Theatre of Verulamium (2021)
WhatUWill revived and performed at The Sandpit Theatre (2022)
The Electric Cafe and The Other Side of The Wardrobe created and performed at The Maltings (2022)
Agatha Quizteam created and performed (2022)
The Nightware before Christmas created and performed (2022)
Best School of Musical Theatre Class
Our
History
Best School of Acting Class
2013 - 2018
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Best celebrates 15th anniversary.
The Boy Preference selected from over 300 youth groups to be performed at The National Theatre as part of National Theatre Connections.
Just, performed by BYT, wins The Adjudicators Award and Senior Award at The Welwyn Drama Youth Festival (2017).
Performances Included
A Night at The Musicals performed at The Sandpit Theatre (2013)
Best School of Acting perform its first monologue slam at Abbey Theatre Studio (2013)
This is My Elephant created with playwright Anna Reynolds and performed at The Maltings and Greenwich Young People's Theatre Festival (2014)
A Night at The Oscars performed at The Sandpit (2014)
Reality Bites BSA Act 3 group performed at The Maltings (2014)
Timonfeya performed at The Sandpit (2015)
Histiria! (2016) revived.
The Birds performed by BYT1 at The Roman Theatre of Verulamium (2017).
Dreamcatcher revived at Hertford Theatre (2017).
Daydreaming performed (2018).
These Bridges performed by BYT2 at The Maltings Theatre and ArtsDepot (2018).
Are we Connected? performed at The Roman Theatre of Verulamium (2018).
2008 - 2013
Best celebrates 10th anniversary.
Record numbers attend the musical theatre classes and holiday camps.
Best Beans, LAMDA, Best School of Acting and The Feelgood Factor courses are launched.
Performances Included
Best of Dreams performed at The Sandpit Theatre (2008)
Dreamcatcher performed (2008)
Histiria! performed (2009)
Runaways performed for Welwyn Youth Drama Festival (2009)
Sunlight performed at The Sandpit Theatre (2010)
What You Will performed at The Sandpit Theatre (2011)
Imagine performed (2012)
Best Musical Theatre Holiday Camp
The Company Class
2003 - 2008
Best celebrates 5th anniversary.
Provides significant sponsorship to Sandringham School to help achieve specialist arts status and fund the building of the Sandpit Theatre.
Best works with Shell National Connections Festival and is twice selected for regional showcases (The Musicians 2004 Sandpit Theatre, Just 2005 Watford Palace).
Best Youth Theatre launched.
Performances Included
Twelfth Night, Robin Hood and Pied Piper all performed at The Sandpit Theatre (2003)
Salma-Gundi performed at The Sandpit Theatre (2004)
Mythellany performed at The Sandpit Theatre (2005)
The Seven Sided Dice performed at Simon Balle School (2006)
Earthcycle performed at Sandpit Theatre (2006)
Shut Up performed at The Maltings (2006)
Cindriana performed at Sandringham Drama Studio (2006)
Shake, Ripple and Roll (2007)
Dreamcatcher revived (2007)
1998 - 2003
David and Annette found Best School Theatre Arts.
Best School of Musical Theatre Saturday morning performing arts classes for primary and secondary students and Best Beginners for early years children launched, with Saturday afternoon and Friday evening classes added to keep up with demand in 2001.
Best wins Sherrards/Observer Award for Excellence.
Performances Included
The Wizard of Oz performed at The Maltings (2000)
Shake, Ripple and Roll performed at The Maltings (2001)
Dreamcatcher performed at The Sandpit Theatre (2002) and cast recording made
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Annette & David, founders of Best
Be Part of
The Story
