ABOUT STROUD THEATRE ARTS
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING. GENUINE OPPORTUNITIES. A PLACE TO BELONG.
Stroud Theatre Arts provides performing arts training for children and young people, combining singing, dancing and acting with exciting opportunities to perform, grow in confidence and develop their talent.
With classes in Langley and Northolt, Stroud Theatre Arts welcomes young performers from age 3 upwards, from children discovering performing arts for the first time to experienced students with ambitions to take their training further.
At the heart of Stroud Theatre Arts is a simple belief: high-quality training and professional standards don't need to come at the expense of warmth, enjoyment and belonging.
We want every student to be challenged, encouraged and inspired, while feeling part of a supportive community where they can be themselves.
OUR STORY
FROM WEST END WORKSHOPS TO A THRIVING PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL
Stroud Theatre Arts began in 2014, when founder Lauren Stroud started running monthly West End workshops for local children.
Having grown up locally before training professionally at Laine Theatre Arts and building a career in the West End and wider theatre industry, Lauren wanted to bring some of that experience back to young people in the community she came from.
The workshops gave children the opportunity to experience professional-style musical theatre training and learn from people actively working within the industry.
It wasn't long before families wanted more.
In 2018, Stroud Theatre Arts developed into a weekly performing arts school, providing regular training in the three core disciplines of singing, dancing and acting.
Today, Stroud Theatre Arts continues to grow, but the idea behind it remains the same: to give children and young people access to excellent performing arts training, genuine opportunities and teachers with first-hand professional experience, all within an environment where they feel supported and encouraged.
MORE THAN WEEKLY CLASSES
Helping Young People Grow As Performers And People
Our weekly performing arts classes are at the heart of Stroud Theatre Arts.
Students develop their skills across singing, dancing and acting, with training becoming more advanced as they grow in age, ability and experience.
Along the way, they can develop performance technique, stagecraft, musicality, vocal and harmony skills, dance technique, acting for stage and screen, and audition and self-tape skills.
But what young people gain from performing arts goes far beyond performance.
It's about developing confidence, creativity, resilience and friendships. It's discovering what you're capable of, learning to express yourself and having a place where you feel you belong.
Some of our students simply love performing and being part of Stroud Theatre Arts. Others have ambitions to train or work professionally.
Both belong here.
For those who do want to take their performance further, Stroud Theatre Arts can provide additional training, guidance and opportunities through our Performance Company, individual coaching and our relationship with Stroud Talent.
THE STROUD THEATRE ARTS DIFFERENCE
Professional experience, passed on.
One of the things that makes Stroud Theatre Arts different is the experience of the people teaching here.
Our students learn from teachers who have trained and worked professionally across West End theatre, UK tours, television and film, bringing current industry knowledge and professional standards directly into the classroom.
Lauren herself has performed in productions including Wicked, Strictly Ballroom, Hairspray and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella, and her more recent creative career has included work as Resident and Associate Choreographer on major West End and touring productions including The Wizard of Oz and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
That experience isn't about turning every child into a professional performer.
It's about giving every student excellent training and inspiring teaching, while giving those with professional ambitions access to genuine knowledge of the industry and guidance from people who understand it first-hand.
Ambitious, but never elitist. Professional, but always personal.
MEET THE TEAM
Professional experienced & passionate teachers.
Behind Stroud Theatre Arts is a team of professionally trained performers, teachers and creatives who bring their own experience, expertise and personality to every class.
Lauren Stroud - Founder & Principal
Lauren trained professionally at Laine Theatre Arts before building an extensive career as a West End performer, choreographer and creative.
Her stage credits include Wicked, Strictly Ballroom, Hairspray, Grease and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cinderella, while her choreography and creative work has included major West End, UK touring and television productions.
Alongside her professional career, Lauren has continued to teach and mentor young performers, from weekly musical theatre training and choreography to one-to-one coaching and preparation for professional performing arts college auditions.
She founded Stroud Theatre Arts to bring that professional experience back to the community where she grew up and create the kind of performing arts school, she believes young people deserve: ambitious, supportive and full of opportunity.
Sophie Hudson - Vice Principal & Younger Years
Sophie has been part of Stroud Theatre Arts for seven years and plays an integral role in the school, particularly with its younger performers.
After beginning performing at four, Sophie went on to train professionally at London Studio Centre, graduating with a BA (Hons) in Theatre Dance specialising in Music Theatre.
Her professional experience spans stage and screen, including a UK tour of Hollywood Glamour playing Doris Day and appearances in BBC's Big School and E4's Drifters.
A qualified Mental Health First Aider, Sophie brings together professional training, creativity and a particular understanding of STA's younger students.
Justin Thomas - Dance & Drama, Older Years
Justin trained professionally at D&B Academy of Performing Arts and has worked extensively in musical theatre for more than a decade.
His theatre credits include Back to the Future, Wicked, Aladdin, Grease, West Side Story, Mamma Mia! and Dirty Dancing, alongside television and film appearances including Children in Need, Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One.
Justin teaches dance and drama at Stroud Theatre Arts and also looks after the school's social media.
Louis Turner - Singing & Drama | Musical Supervisor
Louis teaches singing and drama at Stroud Theatre Arts and is the Musical Director for the school's shows and Musical Supervisor across its events.
Alongside teaching and vocal coaching, Louis is a writer and composer of original shows and music, with one of his original productions having been performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
He has been part of the Stroud Theatre Arts team for three years.
Sienna Tedeschini - Younger Years Drama
Sienna trained professionally at Laine Theatre Arts and has appeared in a number of professional productions and pantomimes since graduating.
She joined Stroud Theatre Arts a year ago and works particularly with the school's younger performers, bringing her professional training and performance experience into their drama classes.
STROUD TALENT
FOR THOSE READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP
For young performers interested in professional opportunities, Stroud Talent provides a further pathway into theatre, television and film.
The children's talent agency works alongside, but separately from, Stroud Theatre Arts and represents suitable young performers who are ready to pursue professional work.
Entry to Stroud Talent is by audition or invitation, allowing Lauren and the team to support young performers who are ready for that next stage with the knowledge and experience gained from their own careers in the industry.