Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform's weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–12 run every Monday at St Simon's Church Hall, Waverley Road, Southsea (PO5 2PW) — 4:00–5:00pm for 4–7s and 5:05–6:05pm for 7–12s. Every child can attend a free trial session before committing to a block.
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About this class
Perform has been running at St Simon's Church Hall on Waverley Road since May 2022, with two back-to-back Monday sessions. The younger group (4–7s) takes the hall from 4:00–5:00pm; the 7–12s follow on at 5:05–6:05pm. Having the two age groups on the same evening suits families with children in both brackets. Both classes are run by Laura and Helin, with Area Partner Sam making regular visits to observe and support.
Each session weaves together drama, dance and singing, built around what Perform calls the 4 Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination. The 4–7s work through three distinct sections — movement and coordination games (including yoga-inspired mirroring), specially composed songs and tongue-twisters, then character explorations and storytelling improvisation. This summer the 4–7s are living the theme of Mermaids & Pirates, setting sail on the good ship the Jammy Dodger to discover faraway lands. For the older group, sessions shift up a gear: acting and improvisation work builds vocal projection, physicality and presence, while the movement and singing strands develop technical skills in coordination and articulation. The 7–12s theme this term is The Dream — Perform's retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream, placing Oberon, Titania and a cast of footballers, popstars and celebrities alongside Shakespeare's story.
Class sizes are capped at 22 children, and every session has two Perform staff present. Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, there is no need to wait for a term start — children can join whenever they are ready. Parents receive a personalised feedback form signed by Principal Lucy Quick, plus a weekly email from the Producer covering that session's focus. The current term at this venue runs from 13 April to 13 July 2025, with no sessions on 4 May or 25 May.
When it runs
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Common questions
Can we try a session before signing up?
Yes. Every child is entitled to a free trial class with no obligation to commit. It is a practical way to see how your child responds before booking a block.
What ages are the classes for?
There are two groups: 4–7s (Mondays 4:00–5:00pm) and 7–12s (Mondays 5:05–6:05pm). In the younger group, the mixed age range is intentional — younger children are stretched by the group dynamic, older children gain informal leadership from influencing activities. For the 7–12s, previous experience matters less than character; that is the determining factor alongside age.
What happens in a typical session?
Both classes combine drama, dance and singing every week, each session with a different focus. The 4–7s session moves through movement games (including yoga-inspired mirroring), songs and vocal work, then imaginative character play and storytelling improvisation. The 7–12s session covers acting and improvisation, movement and dance, and speech and singing — including work on vocal projection, accents and basic musical reading. Session content shifts with each new termly theme.
How does booking work?
Classes are purchased in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions. You can also renew to the end of term or pay monthly by Direct Debit. If you need to miss a session, a make-up system lets your child attend a different Perform venue subject to availability — missed sessions cannot be added to the end of a block. Cancellations made with at least three days' notice generate a credit transferable to future Perform products. You can sign up online, through the class Producer, or by phone.
Is any financial help available?
Perform operates a bursary scheme — contact the office for details. The programme also accepts childcare vouchers. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes.
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