First Act
Lower Primary 5-8 years
Drama classes are a fantastic companion to young children's natural affinity with play and imagination. Our First Act classes introduce them to the structure of curriculum-based play, where we harness their natural abilities and help them learn to apply them in new and useful ways. Our classes are fun and supportive, helping children develop new drama, education, and self-esteem skills.
First Act Curriculum
- Effective communication (speech and voice)
- Teamwork
- Creative expression
- Language skills
- Music and movement
- Build self esteem
- Social skills
Timetable:
'I remember being absolutely terrified in my first lesson, but I will never forget how amazing you made me feel by being so friendly to me right from the word go.'
Second Act
Upper Primary 9-12 years
Moving up to Second Act Classes is an exciting step for First Act children and marks a change to a more sophisticated curriculum. Your child can leave social dramas behind for an hour a week and enjoy interacting with some real-life drama! Second Act drama class helps
children build on their skills, maintain confidence, and connect meaningfully and positively with their peers. They might play differently now, but drama classes help older children keep their creativity alive. New friends, new challenges, and new skills to master in the same
supportive environment enable Second Act kids to step confidently into this new stage of drama development.
Skills learned in Act Two classes help children communicate effectively with friends, at school, and in important situations where confident and creative children stand out. Act Two children are well prepared for roles in school productions, theatre auditions, speech competitions, and leadership positions.
Second Act Curriculum
- Role-playing
- Music and movement
- Communication
- Theatre skills
- Quick thinking skills
- Speech work
- Script work
- Improvisation skills
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Listening skills
Timetable:
'Starting in Upper Primary, a random after-school activity has become a huge passion and love for performing arts and acting.'
Third Act
Youth Theatre 13-18 years
Class Act's curriculum for Third Act classes steps up a notch, teaching the more technical sides of drama and theatre performance. Third Act kids have some skip in their steps. The senior drama kids have had their eyes on Third Act classes and yearned for their empowering time in the spotlight. Third Act kids are now relaxed in Class Act's supportive and inclusive environment. While their challenges are changing outside the classroom, in the classroom, their relationship with peers and the teacher is built on trust and security. Third Act kids build their confidence, meet new challenges, have fun, and maintain a positive attitude. Skills learned in Third Act classes prepare students for school production auditions, applying for jobs, theatre auditions, and future drama school entries such as Toi Whakaari, NASDA, and Whitireia.
Third Act curriculum:
- Spontaneous improvisation
- Monologues
- Speech work
- Script work
- Drama technique
- Devising plays/scenes
- Theatre games
- Advanced communication
- Ensemble work
- Theatre craft
Timetable:
'We really do credit Sophia for helping Tanzi gain the skills that have led to her gaining the lead role of Matilda in Act 3's show in April 2024.'
Finest Act
Grown Ups/Adults
Why should the kids have all the fun? It's never too late to learn a new skill. Maybe you want to build up enough confidence to audition for a role in a local theatre company, or to deliver a presentation at work or maybe you just want to meet new people and have creative fun.
Adult classes are about learning to laugh at yourself and enjoying social stimulation. It's mostly fun and games but also a space to develop performance skills, with guest tutors bringing new specialist skills to work with each term.
This class offers two opportunities to perform: in the middle of the year and at the end of year performance, where you can share your finest acts.
It's a great class to develop confidence in any aspect of your life.
Finest Act curriculum:
- Script work
- Character development
- Spontaneous improvisation
- Drama games
Timetable:
'Attending Adult Drama classes is the highlight of my week. Meeting like-minded people and making new friendships has been a bonus on top of the challenges and fun we have learning and performing together!'
PAC
Performing Arts Class
PAC is an add-on class for Class Act students who want to hone their performance skills.
PAC aims to draw out and fine-tune all the aspects of performance that take the audience on the emotional journey of a show. Focussing on singing, voice projection, dance, movement, and expression, it's an extremely fun and active class. This class is co-taught by theatre and voice teacher Danica Manson and drama teacher Sophia Parker. Students gain the confidence to sing solo and in groups, with and without mics, and learn to harmonise. A choreographer creates a full-class dance routine for Term 2 and Term 4 performances.
PAC students are the academy's public performance group.
Past performances include:
- NZ visit by Prince (now King) Charles and Camilla
- Relay for Life
- public performances at Square Edge
- as finalists in Reach for the Stars
- Winter Wonderland in the Square
- Esplanade Day
- New Years In The Square
- competing at Manawatu Performing Arts Competitions.
Performing Arts Curriculum:
- Vocal coaching
- Dance
- Movement
- Expression
- Singing
- Theatre craft
- Small group and ensemble singing
- Understanding lyrics
- Performance skills
- Portraying characters through song
Timetable:
'Our daughter loves going to her drama and PAC class each week! she continues to grow from strength to strength.'
Trinity Exam Classes
This class is specifically to prepare Class Act students for formal Trinity College Drama Exams
Trinity College is a respected organisation based in London, offering examinations designed to help students explore their artistic abilities and gain qualifications. The qualifications are recognised worldwide and have provided entry to various performance careers, public
services, and government roles.
This is serious stuff only recommended for competent, confident students keen to work towards an exam.
Exam students create a wonderful bond with each other, especially those involved in annual exams. Trinity Exam Prep students have achieved consistently high grades in their Trinity Exams,including being awarded Trinity College London Medals for attaining highest marks in the Manawatu/Rangitikei area for Speech and Drama exams during 2020, 2021 and 2023.
Classes usually run throughout Term 2 and Term 3 (depending on the Trinity Exam schedule). While exam preparation is fun, it requires focused work at home and in class.
'My daughter achieved extremely highly in Trinity College drama exams year after year. Sophia's skills and support were crucial to both accessing the opportunity and achieving so well.'