Prospectus

Our Patrons

Theatretrain is delighted to have as patrons, a number of famous and talented actors. Their accomplishments are so numerous that it is impossible to do them justice here, but you can find out more about them on our Website.

The inspiration behind Theatretrain has always been our Artistic Director, Kevin Dowsett. For the last 35 years, he has taught Acting at various Academies, Theatre and at University level. He is a Director and Teacher in several London Drama schools and is involved at the highest level in

two European Theatre organisations. Kevin has written several musicals and is the author of The Theatretrain Way, a handbook for drama teachers.

Sir Derek Jacobi Catherine TateAlfred MolinaLucy Davis

International Work Travelling and sharing our work internationally deepens our understanding of ourselves and of others. We come together through theatre, demonstrating that neither language nor cultural differences separate us.

We actively build links with organisations and companies of young people in Europe and beyond. Since 1993 we have performed in the Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Germany, Greece, Belgium, Russia, Austria, Switzerland and Italy.

Theatretrain pupils have proudly represented their country at numerous international theatre festivals and encounters.

Our Passion Since 1992, Theatretrain has pursued two aims with a passion: To provide high quality training for young people in the performing arts and to offer first-class opportunities to perform in local and national theatres.

We are passionate about the performing arts. They help us express emotions, hopes, fears and dreams and offer a model of the world in which young people develop essential skills for coping with life.

Young people enjoy working together, have energy and possess imaginative insights surprising to adults. All they lack is experience. Our training provides that experience and the skills to benefit from it.

Being part of a team helps them become more aware and learn to respect themselves and others. Performing together improves social skills and by learning self- expression, they come to understand themselves better and grow in confidence.

Of course , it’s also amazingly good fun!

Our Approach Our performing arts curriculum provides step by step tuition and therefore previous experience really isn’t necessary.

Each of us is unique and, in order to achieve the benefits we seek for our students, training strikes a balance between teaching a technique and encouraging individual expression. We have high expectations of our pupils and we want them to be committed. It is the only way to achieve in the real world.

We are also dedicated to putting that training into practice. Learning is nothing without performing. Watch our young people perform and true magic unfolds.

Big Performance It is our large scale theatre productions which make Theatretrain so distinctive. Every year, since 1993, we have performed in some of the most famous theatres in the world.

These special shows bring together pupils from different centres in one exciting performance. For this “shop window”, they need passion, precision, professionalism and teamwork, onstage and off. It is a wonderful and unique opportunity to perform.

Previous themes include Shakespeare, The Story of Life, Modern Art, Love, The Planets, The Beatles Story, Food and Drink, The Twentieth Century, Heroes, The Seven Deadly Sins, The Motown story, James Bond and our Special 20th Anniversary show at The O2.

Selected schools only Theatretrain ExpressMid week after school classes in drama, dance and singing.  Theatretrain AdvancedClasses for current students and those that are at an Advanced level in their training, Theatretrain AcademyThe Academy is for pupils aged  15+ and meets in the half term holidays. Advanced projects are worked on and sometimes taken to foreign festivals. 

TT Minis 1.5 hours of tuition for children aged between 4-6. An introduction to the Theatretrain way.  TT Tinies ( Free 3’s)A weekly 30 minute taster course for those 3 year olds ready to sample the performing arts. 

More details on all the above are available from your local centre.

Our Classes We hold weekly classes in comfortable, well equipped facilities, teaching a wide range of skills in acting, singing and dancing, tailored to 6-9, 9-12 and 13-18 year olds.

Through a specially created curriculum, our classes develop an understanding of how theatre works – the importance of story telling, sound, movement and character. We make exciting and challenging theatre by working as a group and of course many of these skills are important life skills.

The quality of our teaching staff is important to us. They are chosen for their experience and enthusiasm so that they inspire our pupils. Most of our teachers are or have been performers and with the centre manager, create the buzz of activity and enthusiasm that is the Theatretrain style.

Performance Weekly classes are mainly about teaching the process skills of each subject, but the performing arts are about performing. We pride ourselves on the performances we create each year for our parents; performances that involve the skills taught in classes.

What makes Theatretrain so special are the regular opportunities we give for performance as part of our work. All our pupils take part in specially created shows in well equipped theatres.

Usually these performances include ideas that have been shaped and developed by our pupils, allowing their creativity to shine.

Agency and Professional Representation Theatretrain has joined up with Goldmans Management, for professional representation of our Students.

Students who have been members of Theatretrain for 6 months are given the opportunity to Audition to be represented by Goldmans Management. Goldmans have been established since 2003 as a Specialist Children’s agent.

TheatretrainPO Box 42HitchinHertsSG4 8FS

T: 01327 300 498E: admin@theatretrain.co.uk

www.theatretrain.co.uk

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@theatretrain

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