Theatre Cats is a drama school that opened in Burton on Trent in January 2008.  Theatre Cats is for children and young adults aged between 5 and 16 years of age and offers drama classes on a Saturday morning and Monday evening at Burton's Shobnall Leisure Complex, Tuesday evenings at The William Allitt School in Newhall, Mickleover in Derby on Wednesday evenings and Uttoxeter on Friday evenings. Classes are divided into relevant age categories and each class is limited to a maximum of 15 students.

All classes begin with basic drama skills, helping to build confidence and self-esteem. They also include rudimentary performance skills in stagecraft, acting, singing and movement. Students will learn valuable performance techniques, including: character building, vocal projection, improvisation, devising and script work. These classes are especially designed to be great fun!  The curriculum will also cover the theatre as a whole including front of house and marketing such as ticket sales and programmes. They will also be informed on back stage elements such as stage design, costume, stage make-up, light and sound design.

When these fundamental skills have been attained, each student will have the option to train towards Trinity Guidhall examinations in Acting, Speaking of Verse and Prose, Mime, Devised Performance and Musical Theatre. These will be offered from Entry level up to Grade 8 and students can do solo or duologue examinations. Examination fees are in addition to session costs and are entirely optional for each student.
 

Parents will want to know how their child is progressing and so reports will be issued once a year at the end of the summer term. Students will also perform in dramas, musicals, concerts and showcases which parents will be invited to. Theatre Cats will also issue certificates and rewards throughout the year to celebrate hard work, dedication and most improved students.

Every student needs to get the most from each session, therefore numbers are strictly limited to just 15 students per class.  This ensures that each student receives personalised tuition to help them progress quickly in a safe and positive environment, which enables them to gain self-confidence and self-esteem. Please note that Theatre Cats is a dedicated stage school - not a drama 'club'. Students will be gaining precise theatre knowledge and techniques to employ in their performances and exams.

Classes are either £7 or £8 depending on the length of the session.
 

We offer a free trial session so that your child can experience Theatre Cats without obligation. These taster sessions are usually £6 each but when you contact us we'll send you details so that your child can attend a taster session for free!  There is no need to commit to a full term until after the trial session. It will then be expected that the balance for the term be paid in full or divided into two payments per term. Fees are non-refundable for missed classes. Discounts are also available when two or more siblings attend the school.

Simply contact Catherine on 01283 531635 or email info@theatrecats.co.uk or go to the website at www.TheatreCats.co.uk for more information.

Catherine Budworth (BA hons) is the principal of Theatre Cats and has had a passion for the performing arts for many years. She studied Drama and Music at GCSE level and continued to read Theatre Studies and English at university where she gained a Bachelor of Arts honours degree. As well as being principal of Theatre Cats, Catherine has also recently taught Drama at The William Allitt School in Newhall as well as Drama, English and Expressive Arts at The Burleigh Community College in Loughborough. All Theatre Cats teachers are qualified Performing Arts teachers or theatre experts and are all CRB checked.

Theatre Cats also offer individual tuition for children and adults in both Drama and English. Please email for further information.