Advanced Work – Classical Technique, Screen Practice & Directing for the Stage
Senior students are immersed in a challenging and rewarding exploration of classical performance technique, engaging deeply with heightened text, verse, and rhetoric. Through Shakespearean monologues, Greek tragedy, and other canonical works, students are trained in voice, breath control, muscularity of language, and the demands of period style. They learn how to unlock the emotional truth within structured form, navigating metre, punctuation, and imagery with clarity and imaginative freedom.

Alongside performance, students are encouraged to explore the art of directing. They are taught how to break down a script, identify themes, shape narrative structure, and articulate a directorial vision. Through practical exercises, they experiment with blocking, working with actors, pacing, and spatial storytelling. Collaborative directing projects allow them to lead peers in rehearsals, developing essential skills in leadership, communication, and interpretation.

Students also receive focused training in screen acting and filmmaking. From understanding the intimacy and nuance required for camera work to the technical disciplines of continuity, eyelines, and marks, learners become comfortable working in front of and behind the lens. Through hands-on projects, they write, shoot, and edit their own short films—cultivating a storyteller’s mindset and technical fluency in the language of cinema.

A TLA graduate is far more than a performer—they are a creative leader equipped with the skills, insight, and confidence to shape stories from every angle. With a robust foundation in classical technique, modern screen skills, and experience as a director and theatre-maker, they are ready to thrive in a professional, academic, or entrepreneurial arts environment.

Whether stepping into a Shakespearean role, directing a devised ensemble piece, or filming a short screenplay, our graduates are empowered to lead with courage, create with clarity, and perform with soul.

TLA branded purple T-Shirt and any unbranded,movable black bottoms, black socks

Jazz shoes 

Tonicha Jeronimo

Courtney Freckleton

Advanced Work – Classical Technique, Screen Practice & Directing for the Stage
Senior students are immersed in a challenging and rewarding exploration of classical performance technique, engaging deeply with heightened text, verse, and rhetoric. Through Shakespearean monologues, Greek tragedy, and other canonical works, students are trained in voice, breath control, muscularity of language, and the demands of period style. They learn how to unlock the emotional truth within structured form, navigating metre, punctuation, and imagery with clarity and imaginative freedom.

Alongside performance, students are encouraged to explore the art of directing. They are taught how to break down a script, identify themes, shape narrative structure, and articulate a directorial vision. Through practical exercises, they experiment with blocking, working with actors, pacing, and spatial storytelling. Collaborative directing projects allow them to lead peers in rehearsals, developing essential skills in leadership, communication, and interpretation.

Students also receive focused training in screen acting and filmmaking. From understanding the intimacy and nuance required for camera work to the technical disciplines of continuity, eyelines, and marks, learners become comfortable working in front of and behind the lens. Through hands-on projects, they write, shoot, and edit their own short films—cultivating a storyteller’s mindset and technical fluency in the language of cinema.

Black TLA branded T-shirt and black TLA leggings, black socks

Jazz shoes

Oscar Allen

Laura Ashton

Technique & Text
As students progress, they begin to study classical and contemporary text, learning to analyse language, action, and subtext. They explore character development through the lens of key practitioners such as Konstantin Stanislavski(given circumstances, objectives, actions), Lee Strasberg (sense memory and emotional recall), Stella Adler(imagination and textual richness), Sanford Meisner (truthful impulse and repetition work), and Bertolt Brecht (epic theatre, alienation technique, political awareness). These studies are brought to life through scene work, monologue performance, and devised pieces.

Advanced Work – Professional Practice & Screen Technique
Senior students are challenged to apply their skills across disciplines. They receive focused training in screen acting, camera awareness, and naturalistic performance for film. Audition technique is rigorously developed, covering cold reads, self-taping, interview etiquette, and preparation strategies for both stage and screen. Pupils are introduced to filmmaking as a creative process—writing, directing, and performing in their own short films, learning the collaborative language of a film set.

Physical Expression & Ensemble Play
Throughout all levels, physical theatre remains a cornerstone of training. Students engage with techniques inspired by Laban, Lecoq, and Viewpoints to enhance spatial awareness, embodiment, and movement storytelling. Ensemble devising encourages collective creation and resilience—vital tools for modern theatre-makers.

Theatre Literacy & Backstage Etiquette
All students are taught the professional standards of theatre etiquette and terminology, ensuring they understand how to function respectfully and efficiently in a rehearsal room, onstage, and backstage. From call sheets to cue lines, they gain a holistic understanding of the theatrical ecosystem.

Black TLA T-Shirt and TLA branded leggings, black socks 

Jazz shoes

From the earliest years, students are introduced to the joy of storytelling through play, movement, and voice. Creative exploration is key—using improvisation, imaginative role play, and physical theatre games to foster confidence, spontaneity, and ensemble awareness. Puppetry and basic stagecraft introduce young learners to the magic of performance while gently establishing the foundations of focus, listening, and discipline.

As children grow, so does their capacity for deeper engagement with performance techniques. Our Juniors curriculum introduces structured drama skills while maintaining a sense of play and discovery.

- Improvisation & Ensemble Building: Games evolve into scene-based improvisation, teaching students how to listen, respond, and build story collaboratively. We introduce the idea of “yes, and…” to grow confidence in creative risk-taking.

- Character Development: Using simple practitioner-inspired techniques (like objectives and actions), Juniors explore how to build believable characters, using their voices, posture, and imagination.

- Vocal & Physical Training: Students begin structured voice and movement work—learning about articulation, breath support, posture, and gesture. Exercises are drawn from Laban and Viewpoints to develop expression and stage presence.

- Scripted Work & Devising: Juniors work with age-appropriate scripts and short texts, learning to break down a scene, understand subtext, and explore dialogue. They also create their own mini plays through devising, strengthening their sense of story structure and creativity.

- Introduction to Stagecraft: Basic stage directions, stage areas, and backstage etiquette are introduced in a fun and accessible way, fostering early professionalism.

Throughout these years, we place strong emphasis on joyful discipline—cultivating focused energy, kindness in ensemble work, and a love of the rehearsal process. Students are supported to express big feelings, try bold ideas, and grow their performance literacy, all while being celebrated as individuals.

Girls:  Black leggings/tracksuit bottoms, Black TLA T-shirt, a branded TLA hoodie or zoodie (not compulsory) and a TLA scrunchie for hair

Boys:  Black leotard, black jazz pants, Black TLA T-shirt, jazz shoes and a branded TLA hoodie or zoodie (not compulsory)

Jennifer Whittaker

Courtney Freckleton

Laura Ashton

From the earliest years, students are introduced to the joy of storytelling through play, movement, and voice. Creative exploration is key—using improvisation, imaginative role play, and physical theatre games to foster confidence, spontaneity, and ensemble awareness. Puppetry and basic stagecraft introduce young learners to the magic of performance while gently establishing the foundations of focus, listening, and discipline.

At this early stage, drama is a tool for self-expression and storytelling. Sessions are built around themes and narrativesthat ignite the imagination—magical forests, enchanted objects, journeys to the moon. We use music, movement, props, and sensory play to invite children into theatrical worlds where they can explore character, emotion, and voice in a safe and supportive space.

- Creative Play: Structured improvisation games nurture spontaneity and creative thinking. Children learn the basics of character through animal movement, facial expressions, and simple role play.

- Vocal Discovery: Voice work begins with fun and freedom—exploring pitch, pace, and volume through call-and-response, rhymes, and chants. They learn to project and articulate with confidence.

- Physical Awareness: Through basic physical theatre exercises, the Tinies begin to understand space, stillness, and the expressive potential of their bodies.

- Storytelling Skills: We use picture books and fables as performance prompts, allowing students to retell stories through their own words and movement, encouraging narrative memory and sequencing.

The emphasis is on building confidence, emotional intelligence, and group awareness, always with warmth, humour, and positivity.

For Girls: Black leggings/tracksuit bottoms, Black TLA T-shirt, a branded TLA hoodie or zoodie (not compulsory) and a TLA scrunchie for hair

For Boys: Black leotard, black jazz pants, Black TLA T-shirt, jazz shoes and a branded TLA hoodie or zoodie (not compulsory)

Jennifer Whittaker

Courtney Freckleton

Laura Ashton