The Forum Theatre School Of Performing Arts has been running since November 1999. Taking place every Saturday, children aged 6 to 17 can explore the world of theatre through drama, dance and singing under the guidance of experienced tutors.
We pride ourselves on supporting and mentoring our students throughout their training with us, allowing them to grow in confidence and self-esteem as well as helping them to develop important life and social skills along the way. Our small class sizes provide a fun, safe and supportive environment for children to explore, develop, make friends and grow as performers and as individuals. Because we are based in the Forum Theatre, we are able to offer our students first hand experience of a working theatre. This includes working with visiting professional companies and actors where appropriate, technical training and performing our own annual showcase on The Forum Theatre stage. Our students also learn the fundamentals of backstage management including sound and lighting.
Many of our students go on to performing arts colleges with great success as a result of the training they receive with us. Our students also have the opportunity to audition for visiting professional companies as well as our annual Christmas pantomime when they require younger actors / dancers. We also encourage students to audition for TV and film work and for other companies in the area. The Theatre School has been involved in a number of professional productions, including: Professional Pantomime at the Theatre | Annie the Musical | Joseph | Scrooge | Mad About Musicals | Christmas Cavalcade | Assorted visiting Ballet companies.
If you would like any further information about our Theatre School, what we do in our classes, our trial sessions or you would simply like to register your interest, please fill in the below form and our co-ordinator will be in touch with you as soon as possible to answer any questions or to enrol your child.
Forum Theatre School runs on a Saturday from 10am – 2pm
– Registration – 10:00am
– Session 1 – 10:15am – 11:15am
– Break – 11:15am – 11:30am
– Session 2 – 11:30am – 12:30pm
– Lunch – 12:30pm – 1pm
– Session 3 – 1pm – 2pm
All students need to bring a packed lunch and a water bottle for their brakes (PLEASE NOTE WE ARE A NUT FREE SCHOOL)
Children can take part from the age of 6 through to 17.
There are 3 different age groups which students are split up into:
– Juniors: 6 – 9 years old
– Inters: 10 – 13 years old
– Seniors: 14 – 17 years old.
Yes, there are 3 different age groups which students are split up into:
– Juniors: 6 – 9 years old
– Inters: 10 – 13 years old
– Seniors: 14 – 17 years old.
All our tutors and visiting tutors (from time to time), have extensive knowledge and practice in the wonderful world of the performing arts. Both on stage and back stage. All tutors are fully enhanced DBS checked and our co-ordinator is First Aid trained.
Tutors include Liam Mellor along with other experienced, knowledgeable tutors.
Liam Mellor
Liam is well known across Teesside for his pantomimes across the region and now at The Forum Theatre. Liam joined the Forum pantomimes in 2019 and now produces, writes, directs and performs in the pantos.
Liam has had a long career in Theatre and has worked also in TV and Film. He now writes and directs lots of pantomimes across the UK and abroad. He trained at the Drama Studio London after gaining a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at the School of Intermedia & Performing arts in South Yorkshire.
Theatre School costs £55 per month and a direct debit is to be set up with our box office team. These fees MUST be paid on time. If they aren’t, your child will not be insured to be at Theatre School.
Students are expected to attend every week. If for whatever reason they cannot attend due to illness for example, we request that you let our co-ordinator know with as much notice as possible. If you miss a week, you will still be expected to pay for that week as you are paying to keep your child’s place in the Theatre School.
There is a total of 8 weeks off from theatre school a year. 4 weeks over the summer and 4 weeks over Christmas. Any other weeks are sessions and if missed for holiday the classes still need to be paid for. If your child is poorly, you will still need to pay for the session they are missing. This is to keep their place within the Theatre School.
We have a simple uniform which all students must adhere to. Our uniform consists of the following:
Forum Theatre School Logo T-Shirt.
– Black full length Leggings (girls) and Jogging bottoms (boys).
– Black Lace-up or slip on jazz shoes only (available from A1 Unique, Station Road, Billingham. 01642 365214)
Please note – Jeans, skirts, shorts (unless extreme hot weather) are not seen as appropriate clothing for our uniform. Uniforms are mandatory and see the box office or your welcome pack to find the information to purchase these.
All students must arrive within the 15-minute window prior to the start of the class which is 10am and picked up within the 15-minute window post class which is at 2pm.
They must be dropped off and picked up by their parents (unless otherwise agreed in writing with the co-ordinator to either be picked up by a different family member or they are allowed to go home on their own.)
As with any organisation and all schools, we have our own disciplinary policy. Students who are continually disruptive will be put on a 3 step programme. This is as follows:
– Step 1 – Informal chat with Theatre School staff.
– Step 2 – Formal conversation with Theatre School staff and letter sent home.
– Step 3 – If behaviour does not improve, your place with us will be terminated.
A record will be kept on the student’s file of any conversations had with regards to the 3 step programme.
We operate a zero tolerance policy towards bullying of any description and any anti social or intimidating behaviour. If this is found to be going on, the student will immediately be progressed to Step 2 of the discipline procedure.
At any time, students may be asked to take part in sound recordings, video recordings and photographs to be used either for a show or for advertising purposes within the wider community. As part of the registration process, you will be asked to give permission to allow your child to take part in these. If you do not give permission, we will endeavour to make sure your child does not appear on any such things.
Publicity and Marketing are two very big avenues we use to not only publicise the shows the students will be doing, but also to publicise the theatre school to attract new members to ensure we are able to continue running.
Please read carefully and adhere to the following points:
– Arrive in good time for registration.
– Do not leave early without prior written notice form parent/guardian.
– Wear the correct uniform at all times.
– Make sure your mobile phones are SWITCHED OFF when with us. You will be permitted to check them at break times.
– Chewing of any kind is forbidden (no chewing gum/bubble gum!)
– We are a NUT FREE school and no food containing nuts can be brought in the venue!
– Do not bring visitors or spectators with you during teaching time unless specifically requested and invited to by the Theatre School Co-Ordinator.
– Students must remain on our premises from the time they arrive to the time they leave.
– Complete registration form and direct debits must be completed and handed in before the students first payable session.
– Make sure students arrive on time and get collected on time.
– Ensure the Theatre School Co-Ordinator knows in advance if you are going to be absent from a session.