Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–12 at Summercroft Primary School on Plaw Hatch Lane in Bishops Stortford. The 4–7s class is on Mondays at 4pm; the 7–12s follow at 5:15pm. Every child can attend a free trial session before committing.
Summercroft Primary School · CM23 5BJIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
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About this class
Perform has been running at Summercroft Primary School in Bishops Stortford since January 2013. Monday afternoons are the slot: the 4–7s go from 4pm to 5pm, and the 7–12s follow immediately at 5:15pm until 6:15pm. Marisa leads the classes, with Emma coordinating and Area Partner Gemma overseeing the Bishops Stortford programme.
Each session combines drama, dance and singing, built around what Perform calls the 4 Cs — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — woven into every activity. For the 4–7s, a session might open with rapid-reaction movement and yoga-inspired mirroring, move into a specially composed song or tongue-twister, then close with character explorations and storytelling improvisations. The 7–12s work through acting and improvisation, movement and dance, and speech and singing, with the emphasis shifting towards vocal projection, stage presence and physical expression as children grow into the material.
This term the 4–7s are sailing aboard the good ship the Jammy Dodger in the Mermaids & Pirates theme. The 7–12s are working on The Dream — Perform's take on A Midsummer Night's Dream, recounting Shakespeare's plot through footballers, popstars and celebrities.
Classes are capped at 22 children and always have two Perform staff present. Perform runs a rolling curriculum, which means a child can start at any point in the term rather than waiting for a new one to begin. Parents receive a weekly email from the Producer outlining that week's focus, plus a personalised written Feedback Form each term, signed by Principal Lucy Quick. Half-termly Open Workshops and end-of-term Presentations give family and friends a chance to see what children have been working on.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can my child try a class before we commit?
Yes. Every child is entitled to a free trial session. Book via the Perform website or by phone.
What ages do the Monday classes cover?
The 4pm class is for children aged 4–7; the 5:15pm class is for 7–12s. In the younger group, a mixed age range is deliberate — older children take on informal leadership roles and younger ones are stretched by the group around them. For the 7–12s, previous experience and character are considered more relevant than exact age, so children who haven't done drama before are not at a disadvantage.
What actually happens in a session?
Both groups move through three sections each week — movement and dance, speech and singing, and drama or improvisation — though the content differs by age. The 4–7s work on coordination, specially composed songs and tongue-twisters, and character play. The 7–12s build vocal projection, physicality, stage presence and basic musical reading. Every week has a different focus within the current term theme. The 4–7s are currently on the Mermaids & Pirates theme; the 7–12s are exploring The Dream.
How are blocks and booking structured?
Places are booked in blocks of ten consecutive classes. You can also renew to the end of term or pay monthly by Direct Debit. If you need to cancel, three days' notice allows the credit to carry forward to another Perform product. Missed sessions cannot be added to the end of a block, though Perform's make-up system lets children attend another venue to cover a missed class, subject to availability.
Is there any financial help available?
Perform has a bursary scheme — contact the office directly for details. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of ten classes. Perform also accepts childcare vouchers.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
Where it is
Approximate location (postcode area)