“Every child is brilliant in his or her own way”

Act Kids Theatre - AKT

Saturday classes in Drama and Acting for children and young people.

All classes taught by our enthusiastic and industry experienced tutors who are all DBS checked.

Classes take place in our professionally equipped studio spaces.

We have a few places available in each group - book your taster session now using this link: Taster Session

Term Dates:

2024

Winter: 7th Sept - 30th Nov (Half Term 26th Oct, no class)

2025

Spring: 11th Jan - 5th April (Half Term 15th Feb, no class)

Summer: 26th April - 19th July (Half term 31st May, no class)

Established in 1997 ACT is the only Drama School on the South Coast offering professional actor training. We bring the same ethos and expertise from our Adult Actor Training to our Youth Theatre.

As well as developing confidence and the ability to work as part of a team students studying drama have the opportunity to develop skills and understanding in creative problem solving, communication, self discipline, tolerance and empathy.

Drama allows children to be active learners and engage and experience a vast range of ideas and situations in a non-competitive and encouraging environment. Drama can give children an outlet for emotions, thoughts and dreams that they might not otherwise have a means to express.

At the end of each term, parents are invited in to see the work that the children have been doing. We believe that the real benefit of drama for children is in the exploration and development of the work - but performance is also a big part of drama - as well as a fun and exciting platform to demonstrate your skills. So end of term showings are geared towards 'work in progress' in a safe and supportive atmosphere. All students are given equal stage time and we embrace diversity in terms of ability and experience.

approach

These are practical classes that develop a range of communicative and interactive skills as well as self awareness and self discipline. Any children's Drama School, course or class will advertise and praise the benefits of Drama - and it is true Drama can be hugely beneficial for children.

However there is a world of difference between running around and playing a few games and a structured well balanced programme of activities that develop skills in a positive and safe environment and then allows for those skills to be put into practise.

Drawing on our professional and educative expertise we have developed a programme that utilizes the work not only of great acting practitioners like Stanislavski, Michael Chekhov and Augusto Boal but also children's drama specialists like Viola Spolin, Dorothy Heathcoat and Gavin Bolton.

Mixing the methodology of these tried and tested practitioners with the practical experience of our acting tutors means that our courses have both a solid educative core as well as being full of fun, adventure and discovery.

“Every child is brilliant in his or her own way. Theater Games motivate children to think in new ways and move in new directions to explore their relation to each other, themselves and their environment. Playing theater games helps to draw out the natural intelligence and humor inherent in each student, creating opportunities to explore their unique abilities and explore their own treasure house of creativity. The Spolin Centre”

— The Spolin Centre

enrolling now....

To join AKT you will need to attend a taster session. If we have places available we will book you in and you will need to pay in advance for that session. If all is well you will be invited to join and fees will be payable on a termly basis. It is possible to join mid term depending on what the students are working on.

Please contact us to book a taster session.

Email: akt@actbrighton.org
Online: Book A Taster Form
Phone: 01273 818266.

Classes take place during school term times on Saturdays at:
ACT Brighton 8-10 Rock place, Brighton BN2 1PF
12 weeks per term - 3 terms per year

Juniors 7-11 Years

Seniors 12+ Years

Youth 14+ Years

10.30am - 12.00pm

12.30pm - 3.30pm

1.30pm - 4.30pm

£11.50 per week

£18.50 per week

£138.00 a term

£222.00 a term.

£222.00 a term

Fees are payable each term in advance or in two equal instalments - one prior to the start of term and one prior to the start of half term. Students are liable for the full fees each term and no refunds will be given for missed classes. Students joining mid-term will be liable only for the weeks remaining of that term.

Weekly payments are possible by prior arrangement with the Finance Officer and are awarded on an individual case basis depending on personal circumstances. Please contact the office for details.

“stretching mind, body, voice & imagination”

juniors 7-11yrs

From Spidey to Hermione, Disney Princesses to Superheroes Improvising & Devising to create & perform Myths & Legends inspired by the children's own favourite characters.v

seniors 12+ years

Voice, Movement & Acting Technique classes designed to harness & develop young talent in an encouraging, supportive & creative environment.

ACT Youth Theatre 14+ years

The youth theatre are our oldest group and operate very much as a theatre company. As well as classes they work on a production each term for either in-house presentation or in a public venue. ACT Youth Theatre has successfully participated in several National Theatre New Connections as well as the Brighton Fringe Festival.

productions and credits

Anyone may enrol throughout the year to join ACT Youth: however for specific productions or projects (such as when participating in the official Brighton Festival or National Theatre Connections project) application to join the Youth Theatre is by Audition only. Productions and projects will incur additional costs and a binding commitment to the rehearsal and performance schedule for students.

Auditions are open to members and non-members of ACT Youth Theatre. For any members not wishing to take part in the productions or projects, classes will take place alongside these as normal. Please contact the office for details.