Venues Listed in Theatre

The Maltings Arts Theatre (MAT) is an intimate venue that hosts local theatre productions. Available for private hire.

Based at the Abbey Theatre, Theatrix offers tuition in acting techniques, mime, dance, voice training, singing, scriptwriting, production, stage management, mask-making and puppetry. The company also provides Shakespeare and theatre workshops for schools, preparation for performance and playwriting examinations, private tuition and theatre visits.

Established in St Albans for more than 10 years, Act Now! is a friendly local performing arts school for children aged 4 to 19. Students act, sing and dance, perform in regular productions and enter exams with a 100% Trinity Guildhall Pass rate. A variety of different age-appropriate classes are available after school and on Saturdays. See website for more information, current times and prices.

Established in 1998, this St Albans-based company provides training in acting, singing and dancing through term-time classes: First Class (ages 4 to 6 - 90 minutes) and Best (ages 6 to 16 - 3 hours). It also runs holiday schools in the Spring and Summer vacations, LAMDA exam classes for individuals or groups and a youth theatre company, The BYTE (ages 14 to 18) which meets on Fridays from 6 to 8pm.

Best Beans are weekly term-time 45 minute classes for babies and toddlers from 3 months to 3 years, and at the other end of the spectrum The Feelgood Factor is a weekly term-time 90 minute musical theatre class for adults. See their website or contact David Bevan for current days, venues and prices.

This national franchise promotes theatre arts as a tool through its drama academy and summer schools at Trestle Arts Base. Details of current activities are shown on the website.

Created in 1984, Breakaway is an amateur dramatics group that aims to inspire involvement in theatre. The Company performs an annual open-air production, usually Shakespeare, in the summer and religious drama, new plays and adaptations during the winter. It is also committed to providing opportunities, support and training to actors and production crew. New members, directors and mailing list subscribers welcome.

Established in 2006, Living the Dream is a performing arts company run by teenagers, for teenagers. Company members choreograph, direct and perform annual showcases. Contact director Zoe Jackson for details.

Launched in 2000, Perform specialises in drama, dance and singing workshops. The main emphasis is developing the four C's: confidence, communication, co-ordination and concentration. Free taster session. Holiday courses, schools programmes and birthday parties also available.

Formed in 2002 with the aim of creating quality youth musical theatre, this company operates in St Albans, Welwyn, Hertford and Bedford and will be expanding to Radlett, Potters Bar and Stevenage during 2008. New members are welcome to attend open auditions (contact for details).

St Albans Youth Music Theatre produce high quality musical productions suitable for all ages. Participants benefit from acting, singing and dancing training through the course of rehearsals which culminate in four performances during the Easter holidays. Rehearsals and performances all take place at the Abbey Theatre. Call 07967 631458 for membership information and current prices.

Part of a national franchise with over 600 schools, Stagecoach offers education in the performing arts, together with development of confidence, articulation, communication skills and imagination. Children aged 4-7 (Early Stages) attend weekly 1½ hour sessions, while those aged 7-16 attend the main school for a 3 hour session of dance, drama and singing. Students perform twice a year and receive reports on their progress. Holiday workshops are open to all.

The Company of Teens meets weekly during term time at the Abbey Theatre. Sessions include workshops and rehearsals as well as occasional visits to other theatres and social events. Members are encouraged to audition for parts in Company of Ten productions and to work backstage.

The Old Town Hall Arts Centre, managed by St Albans City and District Council is licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies. It is also suitable for exhibitions, and a wide range of public and private events.

The 1831 Courtroom, one of a few remaining pre-Victorian courtrooms, is available for filming and the Judges Robing Room is a small meeting room for up to 12 delegates.

Top Hat is a part time performing arts school for children and young adults aged 4 to 17 years of age. It aims to offer fun, challenging and rewarding training in dance, drama, singing and stage craft to improve performance techniques as well as developing confidence and articulation. Schools are held at weekends during term time. Children aged 4 and 5 years (Tiny Hoppers) attend for two hours and children aged 6+ (Top Hatters) for three hours (in age-appropriate groups). Adult drama classes are also held in Welwyn - see website for details.

TYPT operates every week during term time in two sessions (8-10yrs and 10-13yrs). It is open to anyone who wants to participate in drama projects, learn new skills and make new friends.

TYC runs a term-time weekly session. Participants develop theatre skills and techniques; working with actors, directors, writers, designers and technicians. They also have the opportunity to create and perform their own shows.

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