Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–12 at Maidenbower Community Centre on Harvest Road, Crawley. On Fridays, the 4–7s class runs from 4pm to 5pm; the 7–12s session starts at 5:50pm. Every child can attend a free trial class before committing to a block.
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About this class
Perform classes at Maidenbower Community Centre run on Friday afternoons during term time. The 4–7s class is 4pm to 5pm; the 7–12s session begins at 5:50pm. Both groups are led by Gemma, who holds the roles of Producer, Teacher and Area Partner for this venue — so the person running the room is also the one who knows the Crawley families personally.
The 4–7s hour moves through three distinct sections. First, physical warm-up work: dances, rapid-reaction games and yoga-inspired mirroring exercises that build coordination and balance. Next, voice and listening activities built around specially composed songs, tongue-twisters and raps. Finally, imaginative play — character explorations, storytelling and role-playing improvisations. Older children in the 7–12s group work on acting and improvisation (vocal projection, physicality, presence), movement and dance, and speech and singing in small groups where most get a solo or featured moment. This summer term the 4–7s theme is Mermaids & Pirates; the 7–12s are working through The Dream, Perform's production drawn from A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Classes are capped at 22 children and always have two Perform staff in the room. Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, your child can start at any point in the year — no need to wait for September. Families are invited to half-termly Open Workshops and end-of-term Presentations to see what the children have been working on. After each block you'll receive a personalised Feedback Form written by Gemma and signed by Principal Lucy Quick, plus a weekly email from Gemma describing that week's focus.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can we try a session before signing up?
Yes. Every child can attend a free trial class at Maidenbower Community Centre with no obligation to book a block. You can arrange this online, through Gemma directly, or by phone.
Which age groups are catered for here?
There are two sessions on Fridays: 4–7 year-olds at 4pm, and 7–12 year-olds at 5:50pm. In the younger group, mixed ages are part of the design — older children step into informal leadership while younger ones are stretched by the group around them. In the older group, Perform looks at character and previous experience rather than exact age when placing children.
What happens in a session?
Every session combines drama, dance and singing within a single themed class. The 4–7s move between physical games and coordination work, voice and music activities, and imaginative role-play. The 7–12s focus on acting and improvisation, movement and dance, and speech and singing — with most children getting a solo or featured moment in the singing section.
How does booking work, and what if we miss a class?
Classes are sold in blocks of 10 consecutive sessions (or 20, or to the end of term). Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, you can start at any point without waiting for a new term. If a session is missed, it cannot be added to the end of the block, but a make-up system lets your child attend another Perform venue subject to availability. Cancellations require three days' notice; the credit transfers to your account for future use rather than being refunded.
Is there any financial help available?
Perform offers a bursary scheme — call the office for details. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes. The programme also accepts childcare vouchers.
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