Perform drama classes for 7-12s
Perform runs weekly drama classes at St John's Church Hall, Hills Road, Cambridge (CB2 8RN) every Thursday during term time: 4–7s from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, then 7–12s from 5:05 to 6:05 pm. Every child is welcome to a free trial session before committing to a block.
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About this class
Perform has been running at St John's Church Hall on Hills Road since October 2022. Both age groups take place on Thursdays: the 4–7s class from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, followed immediately by the 7–12s from 5:05 to 6:05 pm. The current term runs from 16th April to 16th July, with no session on Thursday 28th May. Producer Meg and Teacher Victoria lead both classes, supported by Area Partner Sophie — the same small team, week in, week out.
Each 60-minute session is divided across three strands. For the 4–7s, those are Move & Feel (dances, rapid-reaction games and yoga-inspired mirroring to build coordination and balance), Listen, Speak & Sing (specially composed songs, tongue-twisters and raps), and Create & Imagine (character explorations, storytelling and improvisation). The 7–12s follow a parallel structure: Acting & Improvising (drama games, character work, vocal projection, physicality and accents), Movement & Dance (group exercises progressing to technical coordination work), and Speech & Singing (articulation, musical reading, vocal-cord flexibility, with most children getting a solo or featured role).
This summer the 4–7s theme is Mermaids & Pirates — setting sail on the good ship the Jammy Dodger — while the 7–12s are working on The Dream, a retelling of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream with footballers, pop stars and celebrities in the mix. Perform writes its own songs, games and dances for each termly theme, so the material is always fresh.
The curriculum is built around what Perform calls the 4 Cs — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — woven into every activity. Classes are capped at 22 children and there are always two Perform staff in the room. Because the curriculum is rolling, children can join at any point rather than waiting for a new term to start. Each term, parents receive a personalised written Feedback Form from the Producer, and a weekly email describes that week's focus in detail.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can we try a session before signing up?
Yes. Every child can attend one free trial class. Book through the Perform website by searching for the St John's Church Hall venue, or by calling the office.
Which class suits my child's age?
Thursdays at St John's Church Hall run two back-to-back slots: 4:00–5:00 pm for 4–7s, then 5:05–6:05 pm for 7–12s. For the 4–7s group, Perform notes that a mixed age range creates more opportunities — younger children are stretched by the group dynamic and older children gain experience influencing activities. For the 7–12s, character and readiness matter more than exact age, so if your child is on the boundary it is worth a conversation with the team.
How are classes booked and paid for?
Classes are sold in blocks of 10 or 20 consecutive sessions. Alternatively, you can renew to the end of term at a slightly higher per-class rate, or spread the cost via monthly Direct Debit. A bursary scheme is available. Perform also accepts childcare vouchers — call the office for details. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes. Refunds are not issued, but sessions cancelled with at least three days' notice convert to account credit usable against future Perform products.
What does a session involve?
For the 4–7s, the hour covers dance and movement games, songs and raps, and character-based storytelling. For the 7–12s, the three strands are acting and improvising (including vocal projection, physicality and accents), movement and dance, and speech and singing — with the chance for most children to take a solo or featured role. Every week has a different focus, this term built around the respective termly themes. No more than 22 children per class, with two Perform staff always present.
Are there performances families can watch?
Three times a year, family and friends are invited to half-termly Open Workshops and end-of-term Presentations where children show what they have been working on. Holiday courses also include mini-performances.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
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