Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–12 at Browns Field Community Centre in Chesterton, Cambridge. The 4–7s class meets on Tuesdays from 4pm to 5pm; the 7–12s class follows from 5:05pm to 6:05pm. Every child can attend a free trial session before committing to a block.
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About this class
Perform has been running weekly sessions at Browns Field Community Centre on Green End Road, Chesterton, since May 2025 — every Tuesday during term time. The 4–7s group meets from 4pm to 5pm; the 7–12s follow on from 5:05pm to 6:05pm. James is both Producer and Teacher at this venue, and the class is regularly visited by Area Partner Sophie.
Each session weaves together drama, dance and singing — not as three separate subjects but as one continuous hour. Perform's curriculum is built around what it calls the 4 Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination. For the 4–7s, a session moves through physical work (dances, rapid-reaction games and yoga-inspired mirroring exercises), then songs, tongue-twisters and raps, and finally character explorations and storytelling. The 7–12s class takes a sharper performing-arts angle: acting and improvisation exercises, movement and dance that builds toward technical skill, and speech and singing in small enough groups that most children get a solo or featured role. Class sizes are capped at 22, with two Perform staff members present every week.
This summer term the 4–7s are sailing aboard the Jammy Dodger in Mermaids & Pirates, while the 7–12s are working through The Dream — Perform's retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream, placing Oberon, Titania and a cast of footballers, popstars and celebrities at the centre of the story. The current term runs from 14 April to 14 July, with no session on Tuesday 26 May.
Because Perform uses a rolling curriculum, there is no need to wait for a new term — children can join at any point. James sends a weekly email outlining that week's focus, and a personalised Feedback Form, signed by Principal Lucy Quick, is sent each term.
When it runs
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Common questions
Can my child try a session before we sign up?
Yes. Every child is entitled to a free trial class, so you can see the format and meet James before committing. Book online through the Perform website, through James directly, or by calling the Perform office.
What ages are the classes for?
There are two separate groups: 4–7s (Tuesdays 4pm–5pm) and 7–12s (Tuesdays 5:05pm–6:05pm). In the younger group, mixed ages are part of the design — younger children are stretched by the group dynamic while older ones gain informal leadership experience. For the 7–12s, previous experience and character matter more than exact age.
What happens in a typical session?
Each class covers drama, dance and singing, with a different focus each week. The 4–7s move through three sections: physical games and movement, songs and speech work, then creative storytelling and role-play. The 7–12s work on acting and improvisation, movement and dance, and speech and singing — class sizes are small enough that most children take on a solo or featured role.
How does booking and payment work?
Classes are purchased in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions, or you can renew to the end of term. There is also a monthly Direct Debit option. Perform accepts childcare vouchers and has a bursary scheme — call the office for details. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes.
What if we need to cancel or miss a session?
Perform does not offer refunds, but cancelling with three days' notice moves the credit to your account for use on other Perform products. Missed sessions cannot be added to the end of a block, but Perform operates a make-up system: children still enrolled can attend a class at another Perform venue, subject to availability.
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