Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–12 at The New Windmill Hall on St Marys Lane in Upminster — the 4–7s on Mondays at 4:00pm, and the 7–12s straight after at 5:05pm. Every child is welcome to a free trial session before committing to a block.
The New Windmill Hall · RM14 2QHIllustrative photo · Nihal Demirci / UnsplashFind more like this near you
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About this class
Perform has been running at The New Windmill Hall since January 2018, holding classes every Monday during term time. The 4–7s session runs 4:00–5:00pm, with the 7–12s group taking over at 5:05pm through to 6:05pm — a useful back-to-back arrangement if you have children in both age groups. The current summer term runs from 13th April to 13th July, with no sessions on 4th or 25th May.
Each class weaves together drama, dance and singing, and the content shifts every week so there is always something new to explore. For the 4–7s, that means dances and rapid-reaction games alongside character explorations and storytelling — all framed this summer by the Mermaids & Pirates theme, complete with a voyage aboard the good ship the Jammy Dodger. The 7–12s are working through The Dream, Perform's retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream, with a cast of Oberon, Titania and a host of footballers, popstars and celebrities. Groups are capped at 22 children and always have two Perform staff present.
At this venue the class is led by teacher Lisa, with producer Katherine handling the week-to-week communication — you'll receive a weekly email from her detailing that session's focus, plus a personalised feedback form signed by Perform's principal, Lucy Quick, so you get a clear picture of how your child is progressing. Area Partner Gemma also visits regularly. The curriculum is built around what Perform calls the 4 Cs — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination — woven into every activity rather than treated as separate goals. Because Perform runs a rolling curriculum, children can join at any point in the term rather than waiting for a new one to begin.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can we try the class before committing?
Yes. Every child is entitled to a free trial session at The New Windmill Hall with no obligation to enrol afterwards — a straightforward way to see whether your child takes to the format before booking a block.
What age groups does this venue cater for?
There are two groups: 4–7s (Mondays, 4:00–5:00pm) and 7–12s (Mondays, 5:05–6:05pm). In the younger class, mixed ages are deliberate — older children gain informal leadership experience while younger ones are stretched by the group. In the 7–12s, previous experience is less important than character and age matters less than how ready a child feels socially; Perform focuses on developing social skills through the performing arts.
How are classes booked and paid for?
You can sign up online, through producer Katherine directly, or by phone. Classes are purchased in blocks of 10 or 20 sessions; there is also an option to renew to the end of term or pay monthly by Direct Debit. A bursary scheme exists for families who need it, and childcare vouchers are accepted. New customers who join Perform's mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10 classes.
What happens if we miss a session?
Missed classes cannot be added to the end of a block. A make-up system does allow your child to attend a different Perform venue to cover a missed session, subject to availability at that venue.
What does a typical session involve?
Sessions cover drama, dance and singing, with the content varying week to week within a termly theme. The 4–7s class this summer is Mermaids & Pirates; the 7–12s are working on The Dream. Three times a year, family and friends are invited to Open Workshops and end-of-term Presentations to see what children have been working on.
Summary drafted with AI assistance from the provider's published details and reviewed before publishing — how we use AI.
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