Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform's Thursday class at St John's Church Hall is for children aged 7 to 12, combining drama and improvisation, dance, and singing in one structured hour each week. Every new child can try it free — no commitment needed until you book a block.
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About this class
Perform runs a weekly drama, dance and singing class for 7 to 12-year-olds on Thursday evenings at St John's Church Hall in Brockley. The current summer term — themed around The Dream, a retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream — runs from 16th April to 16th July, and the class is taught by Clodagh with Gemma as area partner.
Each hour-long session (5:05pm to 6:05pm) is split into three parts: drama and improvisation, covering character work, focus exercises and confidence-building games; dance and movement, with choreographed group routines designed to develop coordination; and speech and singing, including vocal exercises, basic musical reading, and work on projection and articulation. The curriculum frames everything around what Perform calls the four Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination. Teachers are working actors, DBS-checked, and assessed through termly evaluations and refresher training.
The class suits children who want to explore performing arts across more than one discipline. Drama, movement and voice sit within the same session, so the natural overlap between them comes through in practice rather than in isolation. At the end of each term Perform holds a Presentation — a short show featuring the dancing, acting and singing children have been working on. Perform also stages a summer West End show called Mermaids & Pirates. Half-termly Open Workshops give parents a chance to watch a session in progress without waiting for the end-of-term Presentation.
After each week's class, Perform sends parents a summary email covering what the session focused on. Personalised Feedback Forms — each signed by Principal Lucy Quick — are issued every term. Classes are booked in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions, and a Perform T-shirt must be purchased before the first session and worn to every class. New children can attend one free trial session; your child is eligible if they are between six years and ten months and twelve years old and have not previously taken a free trial with Perform.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can my child try the class before committing to a block?
Yes. Every new child is entitled to one free trial session. To be eligible, your child must be between six years and ten months and twelve years old and must not have previously attended a free trial with Perform. Book through Perform's website.
What does my child need to wear?
A Perform T-shirt is compulsory at every session. It must be purchased before the first class — Perform's terms state they can refuse entry without refund if a child arrives without the correct T-shirt.
How are classes booked and paid for?
Classes are booked in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions. Payment can be made via monthly Direct Debit or by renewing at the end of term. Childcare vouchers are accepted — call the Perform office for details. The full cost of your booked block (minus any agreed discounts) is due by the end of the first session.
What happens if we cancel or miss a session?
If you cancel with three or more working days' notice, Perform retains £50 per child and refunds the remainder. With less than three working days' notice, the pro-rata cost of the session is deducted and any balance is held as credit. Deposits are non-refundable regardless of timing. Missed sessions are not added to the end of your block, but Perform does offer a make-up system: your child can attend a session at a different venue, subject to availability. For this weekday class, contact Perform before or on the day of the missed session to arrange it.
Is there a show at the end of term?
Yes. At the end of each term Perform holds a Presentation — a short performance featuring the dancing, acting and singing children have been working on. Perform also stages a summer West End show called Mermaids & Pirates. Perform endeavours to give most children a speaking or singing solo role, though this cannot be guaranteed.
What does the Brockley Thursday session actually cover?
The hour runs from 5:05pm to 6:05pm and covers three areas: drama and improvisation (character work, focus exercises, vocal projection); dance and movement (choreographed group routines); and speech and singing (vocal flexibility, musical reading, articulation). The current summer term theme is The Dream, based on A Midsummer Night's Dream.
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