Perform drama classes for 4-7s
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–7 and 7–12 at Browns Field Community Centre in Chesterton, Cambridge — both groups on Tuesdays, the 4–7s at 4pm and the 7–12s straight after at 5:05pm. Every child can attend a free trial session before committing to a block.
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About this class
Perform arrived at Browns Field Community Centre in Chesterton in May 2025, and classes have run every Tuesday during term time since. The 4–7s group meets from 4pm to 5pm; the 7–12s follow immediately at 5:05pm until 6:05pm — useful if you have children in both age groups. The class is led by James, who acts as both teacher and Producer on the ground, with Area Partner Sophie supporting the Cambridge programme.
Each session weaves together three strands: movement and dance, singing and speech work, and drama and improvisation. For the younger group this summer, the term theme is Mermaids & Pirates — children board the good ship the Jammy Dodger for a mix of dances, rapid-reaction games, specially composed songs and storytelling improvisations. Older children in the 7–12s group are currently working through The Dream, a version of A Midsummer Night's Dream reimagined with footballers, popstars and celebrities, giving them rich material for the acting, vocal projection and movement sections of the class.
Every week James sends parents an email outlining that week's focus, and across the term children receive a personalised written Feedback Form signed by Perform's Principal, Lucy Quick. Classes are capped at 22 children and always have two Perform staff in the room, so each child gets meaningful attention.
Perform runs a rolling curriculum, which means there is no need to wait for a term start — a child can join at any point. The current summer term at this venue runs from 14 April to 14 July 2025, with no session on Tuesday 26 May. Everything in the programme is built around what Perform calls the 4 Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination, woven into every activity rather than held separate.
Good to know
Common questions
Can my child try a session before we commit?
Yes — every child is offered a free trial class. You can book online through the Perform website, through James directly, or by calling the office.
Which age groups are catered for here?
Two groups run on Tuesdays: 4–7s from 4pm to 5pm and 7–12s from 5:05pm to 6:05pm. In the 4–7s class, the mixed age range is intentional — younger children pick up a lot from the group dynamic, while older children in the band naturally step into more of a guiding role. In the 7–12s class, character and previous experience matter more than the precise age.
How does booking work, and can we start mid-term?
Perform operates a rolling curriculum, so your child can start at any point — no need to wait for a new term. Classes are booked in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions, or you can renew to the end of term at a slightly higher rate per class. A monthly Direct Debit option is also available. A bursary scheme exists for families who need support with costs, and Perform accepts childcare vouchers. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes.
If you need to cancel, three days' notice lets you transfer the credit to your account for future use on other Perform products. Refunds are not offered. If your child misses a session, a make-up system allows attendance at another venue subject to availability — missed sessions cannot be added to the end of the current block.
What actually happens in a session?
Every class covers drama, dance and singing, with a different focus each week. For the 4–7s, sessions move through Move & Feel (coordination games, dances and yoga-inspired mirroring), Listen, Speak & Sing (specially composed songs, tongue-twisters and raps), and Create & Imagine (storytelling and role-play improvisations). The 7–12s work through Acting & Improvising, Movement & Dance, and Speech & Singing — covering vocal projection, physicality, accents and basic musical reading. Class sizes are capped at 22, with two Perform staff present throughout.
Are there performances?
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 include mini-performances as part of the programme.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
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