The Best Drama Schools For Kids In Sydney

By: Phoebe Ackland, ellaslist

Whether you’re convinced that your child is the next triple threat to hit Broadway or you just want to give them a creative outlet, help them make new friends, build their confidence or boost their self-esteem, a drama class could be the perfect way to do it. Here are our favourite drama schools in Sydney.

1. Helen O’Grady

The Helen O-Grady Drama Academy is the world’s foremost developmental drama provider! Children aged between 5-17+ years can engage in after-school and Saturday drama classes in one of their multiple studios across Sydney. Not only will children be encouraged to get creative, but they will develop life skills through these drama programs with a mission to help prepare them for life after school. Helen O’Grady’s qualified teachers bring out the best in all students, with programs that will stimulate your child’s social skills, confidence and creativity, equipping them to face life’s adventures with a little imagination.

 

2. The Joan

The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre offers a fantastic Starting Out drama program for children aged 5-8 years of age. Starting Out is the perfect introduction to the world of acting and performing, and a great place to have fun and get creative! During these sessions filled with fun and exhilarating creative play, The Joan’s professional tutors will lead children on a journey of discovery covering the fundamentals of contemporary performance technique including acting, storytelling and stagecraft, and help them develop the confidence, stamina and creative imagination every young actor needs.

 

3. NIDA

The National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), based in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs (Kensington) and operating from multiple locations across the Greater Sydney region, offers a range of performing arts courses and experiences for children and young people aged 2–18 years. NIDA offers everything from Creative Play for pre-schoolers to the Next Stage advanced theatre program for primary and high school students in grades 3–10. During the school term and school holidays, there is a program designed to suit all interests and experience-levels, from introductory through to advanced programs in a variety of disciplines, including drama, acting on screen, musical theatre, singing & acting, public speaking, TV presenting, filmmaking, design, writing and much more.

 

4. AFTRS

AFTRS, located in the Entertainment Quarter in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, offers open school holiday courses for kids and teens aged 9-17 years. These courses are the perfect way to learn new skills, have fun, make new friends and get a little self-esteem boost. All courses are taught by industry professionals at their state-of-the-art film, television and radio studios of the Australian Film Television and Radio School in Sydney. They offer a constantly evolving suite of courses, including their TV Presenting for kids aged 9-12 years, designed to give children a chance to learn presenting and interview techniques, assisting them to improve their on-camera performance and gaining confidence while they’re at it.

 

5. StartTme Studios

Lights, camera, action! StarTime Studios is a Sydney based performing arts school for kids and young people - helping them shine on stage and behind the scenes. The school offers filmmaking courses to develop skills, musical theatre programs for singer/dancer/actors, film festivals to showcase work and holiday programs for intensive learning. Find out more about their professional programs here.

6. Hennessy Speech and Drama Studio

The Kidz on Stage Drama Program for school aged children at Hennessy Speech and Drama Studio (Concord, Homebush Enfield, Strathfield South, Newington and Concord) offers kids a professional edge with several performances throughout the year and a major production at the end – past productions include the Wizard of Oz! There’s also a Hennessy Speech program – a graded program where students learn valuable communication and performance skills, participate in Eisteddfods and present for graded exams each year through The Australian Speech and Communication Association. Younger kids can benefit from the Tots on Stage program for preschool children – a drama and reading readiness program. The school’s director has been treading the boards her whole life and teaching since 1989 so you know your kids are in reputable hands!

 

7. Parramatta Actors Centre

Parramatta Actors Centre is an exciting new venture in the heart of Parramatta offering kids and teens a chance to develop their confidence through acting. Classes at PAC are divided into school year groups (Years 4-6, Years 7-9, and Year 10-12) and are offered after school and also during school holidays. Co-founded by actor Nisrine Amine, PAC is not only a way for youth to develop peer interaction and learn about the exciting world of stage and screen, but PAC also offers industry-specific classes in audition techniques and camera acting for those young actors with aspirations of turning their hobby into a career in the future. To find out more about PAC's kids and teen classes here.