Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama classes for children aged 4–12 at St Nicolas Church Hall, Sutcliffe Avenue, Earley, Reading (RG6 7JN). The 4–7s meet Wednesdays at 4:00pm; the 7–12s follow at 5:05pm. Every child can attend a free trial session before committing to a block.
St Nicolas Church Hall Earley · RG6 7JNIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
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About this class
Perform has been running at St Nicolas Church Hall in Earley every Wednesday since January 2013 — two classes back-to-back, the 4–7s from 4:00pm to 5:00pm, then the 7–12s from 5:05pm until 6:05pm. Gemma is the Producer running the venue; Claudia teaches on the floor each week; Area Partner Sophie visits regularly. The current summer term runs from 15th April to 15th July, with no session on Wednesday 27th May.
Each session weaves drama, dance and singing into a single hour. The framework is what Perform calls the 4 Cs — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — woven into every activity. For the 4–7s, that means yoga-inspired mirroring exercises and rapid-reaction games, specially composed songs and tongue-twisters, then character explorations and storytelling improvisations. The 7–12s go further: drama games, vocal projection and physicality work, movement sequences, and speech and singing exercises where small groups mean most children get a solo or featured moment. The content shifts every week, built around termly themes — this summer the 4–7s are sailing aboard the good ship the Jammy Dodger in Mermaids and Pirates, while the older group are working through The Dream, Perform's version of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Class sizes are capped at 22 children, with two Perform staff members present throughout. Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, there is no need to wait for a term boundary — a child can start whenever they are ready. Three times a year, families are invited to Open Workshops and end-of-term Presentations where children share what they have been working on. After each session Gemma sends a weekly email letting parents know the week's focus, and personalised Feedback Forms — written by the Producer and signed by Principal Lucy Quick — are issued each term.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can my child try a session before we commit?
Yes — every child is entitled to a free trial class. You can book through the Perform website, by speaking to Gemma (the Producer at this venue), or by phone.
Which age group should my child join?
The Wednesday classes at St Nicolas Church Hall cover two groups: 4–7s at 4:00pm and 7–12s at 5:05pm. Within the 4–7s, the mixed age range is deliberate — younger children are stretched and stimulated by the group, and older ones gain early leadership experience. For the 7–12s, Perform says character and previous experience matter more than exact age, so a child who is closer to 12 but newer to this kind of class can still fit comfortably.
How are classes booked and paid for?
Places are purchased in blocks of 10 or 20 consecutive sessions. It is also possible to book to the end of term at a slightly higher per-class rate, or pay monthly by Direct Debit. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes. Perform also accepts childcare vouchers and runs a bursary scheme for families who need help with fees.
What if my child misses a session?
Missed sessions cannot be added to the end of a block under any circumstances. A make-up system does allow children to attend another Perform venue to cover a missed class, subject to availability at that location.
What happens in a typical session?
The hour covers drama, dance and singing — and the focus changes every week. Younger children move through yoga-inspired mirroring exercises and rapid-reaction games, song-learning, and storytelling role-play. Older children work on acting and improvisation, movement sequences, and speech and vocal work. No more than 22 children attend each class, and two Perform staff members are present throughout.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
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Approximate location (postcode area)