The Stage

Sylvia Young to offer adult classes

Published Tuesday 16 September 2008 at 17:00 by Lalayn Baluch

Sylvia Young Theatre School, which has trained actors Letitia Dean, Billie Piper and Denise Van Outen, is to launch a ten-week performing arts course for adults at the end of this month.

The move marks a major shift of direction for the school, which was established in 1981 to offer performing arts classes and full time education to children aged between ten and 16, and additional courses for 17 to 18-year-olds.

Explaining the decision to launch the evening classes, school principal Young told The Stage: “I have many 18-year-olds saying that they don’t want to leave and would like to stay on, and I get so many enquiries asking when we will start classes for adults. We are bowing to pressure - I have been avoiding adult classes for 30 years, but I think it will be great fun.”

The lessons will be available to students of all abilities over the age of 18, who will be able to mix and match one-hour classes in acting, singing, dancing and musical theatre. At the end of the ten weeks, participants will present a piece of work in front of an audience.

Young said that the courses, which are scheduled to start on September 26, will be taken by teachers who work with adults at other performing arts colleges.

Sylvia Young Theatre School singing teacher Peter Roberts added: “I will be taking the singing classes, and the emphasis will be on fun, but also vocal technique, choral training and song presentation.

“I think it would be very useful for those who are a little nervous of singing. It will also be a nice opportunity for those who have been in the business, and have dropped out of the business to get a little bit of practice in if they feel that they have got a bit rusty.”