Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about joining Stroud Theatre Arts, from choosing the right class and booking your free trial to what to expect when you arrive.

  • Stroud Theatre Arts offers performing arts classes for children and young people from age 3 upwards, with classes designed for different ages and stages of development.

  • No. Students join Stroud Theatre Arts with different levels of experience, and there is a place for children who simply want to enjoy performing arts as well as those with ambitions to take their training further.

  • Our main performing arts classes include dedicated training in singing, dance and drama. Students work on a variety of material from different musicals, styles and eras while developing skills including dance technique, vocals and harmonies, acting, stagecraft, musicality, performance technique, creativity and confidence.

    As students progress through STA, their training develops too, with more advanced technique, individual feedback, audition skills and an introduction to the professional performing arts industry.

  • Not at all. Some students come to STA because they love to sing, dance and act, while others want to build confidence, make friends or simply enjoy being creative.

    For students with professional ambitions, we can also provide opportunities to develop their training further. Both belong here.

Joining Stroud Theatre Arts

  • Yes. We offer every new student a completely free trial class before deciding whether Stroud Theatre Arts is right for them.

    Your child joins one of our usual weekly classes, so they'll get a genuine experience of the training, meet our teachers and students and experience the atmosphere at STA for themselves.

  • For our main classes, students experience 45 minutes of singing, 45 minutes of dance and 45 minutes of drama.

    Our Minis take part in a 45-minute Musical Theatre class, combining singing, dancing and performance.

  • Simply complete our online Free Trial form with your child's details. We'll offer you the next available trial date, which will usually be at the start of a new term.

    If the date offered isn't suitable, you can let us know on the form and a member of the STA team will contact you to arrange the next suitable opportunity.

  • No. The trial really is free, with no obligation to join afterwards.

    If your child loves their class and you'd like them to continue, we'll provide the information you need to enrol and pay for the remainder of the term.

Free Trials & Getting Started

  • No. Our weekly classes are about training and developing performers, rather than spending every session rehearsing the same routines for the next production.

    Students experience different musicals, styles and material throughout their training, helping them develop as confident, versatile all-round performers.

  • Yes. Performance is an important part of the STA experience, alongside weekly training.

    Students have opportunities to put the skills they develop in class into practice, while those looking for additional performance experience can also explore our Performance Company.

  • Our teaching team brings professional training and experience from across the performing arts industry, including the West End, UK tours, television and film.

    Founder and Principal Lauren Stroud trained professionally at Laine Theatre Arts and continues to work professionally as a choreographer and creative alongside running Stroud Theatre Arts. Her experience includes major West End and touring productions.

Our Classes & Training

  • We run weekly performing arts classes at two locations:

    Langley: Langley Academy, Langley Road, Langley, SL3 7EF
    Northolt: Alec Reed Academy, Bengarth Road, Northolt, UB5 5LQ

    You can find further information about classes, facilities and attending each venue on our individual location pages.

  • Yes. Free on-site parking is available at both our Langley and Northolt venues.

  • Our STA classes at both Langley and Northolt take place on the ground floor. At Langley, lift access is also available if required.

    If your child has any particular accessibility requirements, we'd encourage you to contact us before their first session so we can discuss these with you.

  • Please bring your child into the building through the main reception entrance, where they will be greeted and signed in by a member of the STA team.

    For safeguarding reasons, children should not be left until they have been met by a member of staff. At the end of their session, students are collected from the main reception area.

  • At Langley, we currently use a large seminar room for weekly classes as well as the school's in-house theatre for performances.

    At Northolt, students train across three different spaces, including two dance studios and a dedicated drama and singing room. Students are accompanied by STA staff as they move between rooms. We also have access to the school's in-house theatre for performances.

Locations & Attending Classes

Performance Company & Professional Opportunities

  • The STA Performance Company is an additional opportunity for young performers aged 8–16 who want to take their performance experience further.

    Members rehearse performance pieces and have opportunities to represent STA at external events, competitions and professional venues. Entry is by audition or invitation.

  • No. The STA Performance Company is open to all young performers aged 8–16, and your child does not need to attend our regular weekly classes to apply.

    Entry is by audition or invitation, giving performers from both within and outside Stroud Theatre Arts the opportunity to join the company, develop their skills and take part in additional performance opportunities.

  • No, previous professional experience isn't required. However, Performance Company is designed for young performers who already have some stage experience and are actively training in dance, singing and drama.

    Professional experience is certainly welcomed, and around 50% of our current Performance Company members have already worked professionally, but it isn't essential. What matters most is that students have a good foundation of training, are confident performing on stage and are ready for the additional challenge and opportunities that come with being part of the company.

  • Performance Company rehearsals take place on Tuesdays from 6:00–7:30pm at Alec Reed Academy, Northolt.

    The current cost is £12 per week, with entry by audition or invitation.

  • STA provides a pathway for students who want to take their training and performance experience further.

    Alongside Stroud Theatre Arts, Lauren also founded Stroud Talent, a Spotlight-accredited children's talent agency supporting young performers working professionally across theatre, television and film. Stroud Talent is a separate agency and representation is not a requirement for attending STA.

If there's something we haven't answered, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch with the Stroud Theatre Arts team and we'll be happy to help.

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