Perform Drama, Dance & Singing Classes
Perform runs weekly drama, dance and singing classes for children aged 4–12 at St Mary's Church, 201 High Road, Loughton (IG10 1BB) every Wednesday. The 4–7s class runs 4:00–5:00 pm and the 7–12s class follows at 5:05–6:05 pm. Every child can attend a free trial session before committing to a block.
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About this class
Perform at St Mary's Church in Loughton runs on Wednesdays, with the 4–7s group taking the earlier slot (4:00–5:00 pm) and the 7–12s picking up straight after at 5:05–6:05 pm. The current summer term runs from 15th April to 15th July, with no session on Wednesday 27th May. Teacher Emily leads the sessions, with Producer Moya handling parent communication and Area Partner Gemma visiting regularly.
Each hour-long class weaves together drama, dance and singing, structured around what Perform calls the 4 Cs — Confidence, Concentration, Communication and Coordination. The 4–7s this term are working through a Mermaids & Pirates adventure, complete with the good ship the Jammy Dodger, movement games, specially composed songs and storytelling improvisations. The 7–12s are tackling The Dream — Perform's own retelling of A Midsummer Night's Dream, featuring Oberon, Titania and a host of footballers, pop stars and celebrities — building vocal projection, physicality and group presence as they go. Every week has a different focus, and the curriculum rolls continuously, so children can join mid-term rather than waiting for a new block.
Class size is capped at 22 children, with two Perform staff members present in every session. Moya sends a weekly email detailing that week's focus, and each child receives a personalised feedback form written by the Producer and signed by Principal Lucy Quick. The Loughton classes have run every Wednesday during term time since January 2022.
When it runs
Good to know
Common questions
Can my child try a session before we commit?
Yes — every child is entitled to a free trial class. Book through the Perform website by searching for the Loughton venue, or sign up online, through Producer Moya directly, or by phone.
Which age group are the Wednesday Loughton classes for?
Both age groups run on the same evening. The 4–7s class is 4:00–5:00 pm; the 7–12s class runs 5:05–6:05 pm. For the younger group, a mixed age range is intentional — younger children are stretched by the group, while older children gain experience influencing activities. For the older group, previous performing-arts experience matters less than personality and readiness.
How are classes booked and paid for?
Classes are sold in blocks of 10 or 20 consecutive sessions, with options to renew to the end of term or pay monthly by Direct Debit. A bursary scheme is available, and Perform accepts childcare vouchers. New customers who join the mailing list receive £30 off their first block of 10. Missed sessions cannot be added to the end of a block, but a make-up system lets children attend another Perform venue subject to availability.
What actually happens in a session?
For the 4–7s, each class moves through three sections: physical games and movement — including coordination and balance work — then songs, raps and tongue-twisters, followed by character, storytelling and improvisation. The 7–12s follow a parallel structure: acting and improvisation (including focus work, vocal projection and accents), movement and dance, then speech and singing — which develops vocal flexibility, basic musical reading and projection. Every week has a distinct focus within the termly theme, and because the curriculum is rolling, there is no fixed entry point.
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)