CENTRE STAGE is one of Belfast's longest running providers of Drama classes and workshops for young people, having started in 1985.
Classes are as follows
4½ - 7 yrs Saturday 3.00pm.- 5.00pm.
8/9 - 11/12 yrs Saturday 3.00pm.- 5.00pm.
11/12 - 17 yrs Thursday 7.30pm - 9.30pm
FEES - the first two weeks are payable at £15.00 per class until children and parents have decided whether or not we are what you expected! After that the full fees are:
The Autumn Term (Sept - Dec) also includes the Christmas show in early January
Terms follow the school term. If two children from the same family are attending, the term fee is reduced to £155.00 per child per term. If three children from the same family are attending, the term fee is reduced to £150.00 per child per term. Parents who wish to continue to pay on a weekly basis pay £15.00 per class and in this case there is an additional administration fee of £50.00 per child per term (£40.00 per child for families) .
Classes are held in the McMillan Halls, Park Road, off the Ormeau Road and just next to Ormeau Park and are attended by children from all over Northern Ireland. There is no audition. Any child can join CENTRE STAGE - we take the view that all children have something to offer.
What to wear ; Loose comfortable clothing and soft soled shoes. Something you won't mind getting on the floor in! Bring a break - Drink, fruit, packet of crisps etc., There is a ten minute break half way through each class. Parents aren't allowed to stay during class.
We are a performance based school - 'Don‘t talk about it - do it!' - and our classes are taught by professional artistes - musicians, actors dancers - people who have earned their living in the fields of theatre and drama. We cover all aspects of performance - singing dancing, mime etc., We don‘t do exams, feis, festivals, and we don‘t enter competitions. We don‘t have 'stars'. All children take part in our annual Christmas Show and we also have a summer show with each class performing its own pieces, with every child having his or her moment CENTRE STAGE.
As we are performance based we take every reasonable opportunity to have the children perform any and everywhere we can - we have performed in such diverse venues as The Ulster Museum, Queen's University, The National Trust's Springhill House and many other Museum and National Trust Properties. We are also frequently asked to send children for auditions - for film, television, radio and commercials (but please note - we are not theatrical agents). Only children who are fully paid up members of CENTRE STAGE are eligible to be considered.
In the Summer Holidays we offer residential drama-based Activity Holidays at beautiful KILMORE HOUSE in the Glens of Antrim, and CENTRE STAGE children who wish to attend are given a discount. Children between 8 and 17 years old can stay, and immerse themselves in a hectic week of drama activities, culminating in a fun show for parents and friends. An information leaflet/booking form is available, and for more information, you can click here to go to the Summer Drama Holidays website