Stagecoach or theatretrain?

macymoo

My 6yr old DD has shown an interest in going to a stagecoach type club (Drama, Dance and singing) basically she's a show off!!
I have the relevant brochures and both operate a class in my area, does anyone have any experience of either that could recommend one? as both seem very good.
(Granny is paying also Yippee)

Gingernutmeg

I don't know much about either but personally I'd give them both a call and see if you can sit in on a class or if your daughter can go to one class as a trial. I know that some of these classes ask for a term's fees upfront and it can be impossible to get money back if your daughter then decides she isn't keen on the class, the teacher or the people - uniform can be an expense too.

Have you had a look at any local dancing schools also? Sometimes they offer classes and you can build up a 'timetable' yourself which can be a bit more flexible - often they're a bit cheaper than Stagecoach etc too lol, although it might be a bit less convenient.

fallen_angel_69

my daughter goes to a dancing school we went to 2/3 schools first and stayed for a try to see if she liked it sshe chose the one she liked best herself it was also the one i felt was the best they let her go for two months without a uniform to make sure she enjoyed it and was going to stick at it. If the school has a savings club join it uniform and exam fees and show costumes dont come cheap but a couple pound on the savings card soon mounts up and really helps

squashy

http://www.helenogrady.co.uk/default.aspx

My kids go here.....MUCH cheaper and more fun-based rather than achievement based. hey get to "show off" if they want but if they would rather not they aren't pressured into it.

kal25

Squashy, roughly how much does that cost?

macymoo

Thanks but none of these in my area

Luna69

I had looked at stagecoach classes for my son a few years back and had to give up in the end as it was so expensive, we couldn't afford to send him. Last year a local theatre school, started a class quite local to us and I found out more about it and he went there. He loves it. It's still fairly pricey but not as much as stagecoach, I think with that you pay for the status personally and each franchise will be different depending on the tutors.

Since starting in Feb last year, he has since joined another one of their schools, so does 6 hours a week over 2 days, he enjoyed a summer school they did for a week (although cost us a small fortune) and he has just recently took part in their christmas performance and he did really well. He is 11 now and looks forward to each class. He wasn't that much into dancing when he started, more singing and acting, but now he loves it and is much better than I'd expected.
Next year they are doing a school's edition of Les Miserables performance, which he can't wait for!

It's a great thing for them to get into if they are that way inclined ( I never was although liked dancing), but there are a lot of schools, that are equally as good but can cost a lot less.

Doesnt' really help you with your classes as it depends what is in your area. I found ours originally through google and a mention from someone on another forum at the time.

Good luck
Yvonne

squashy

They have only just started at Helen O'Grady so not sure if it's pro rata for length of term but it was £40 per child for the half term, there is a discount for children in same family so I paid £75. That is an hour a week, not as intensive as some as I think stagecoach is 3h a week but something like £300 a term (yikes)

Kirium1

My daughter has been attending Theatretrain for over 6 years now and she loves it as much as the day she joined. She's performed at some amazing Theatres in the West End including The Dominion, The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, Her Majesty's Theatre and most recently, The Royal Albert Hall. Its a fabulous experience for the children. My daughter has gained so much confidence and experience from it, its been worth every penny!

Costy

My son has been going to stagecoach for 3 years now. It IS expensive, it costs me £157 per half term. However, in a normal stagecoach day, he goes for three hours, one hour dance instruction, one hour singing, one hour acting tuition which works out at £8.33 per hour. The instructors are all moderated by the franchise. Compared to something like horse riding, which is around £16 per hour, this isn't bad. If they have a production (currently they are competing in the young musical theatre awards), they get an hours free rehearsal time either end of the normal day on a Saturday, so are basically entertained (always a good thing) for 5 hours on a Saturday. They are also going three rehearsals in the week, which are free.

All in all, the opportunities he's had with stagecoach have been far superior to any other theatre school I've known, they've won the welsh young theatre award twice in a row and are going for a third, they have sung as choirs on the X factor (or similar dunno what they are called) tours, and are currently on the shortlist as a choir for the touring production of Joseph. Next month they perform at Her Majesty's Theatre as part of a national showcase.

The worst thing about Stagecoach is that you have to buy the T Shirt and shoes, and that if your child decides to leave, you have to give a half terms notice, or pay £157 buy out, which is a very difficult thing to do.

All in all, it seems expensive, but it's good value and an opportunity to make new friends and perform!

Glamazon

I did TT aged 8yo & loved it! 3hrs of singing, drama & dance every Saturday! :j

i still remember singing as a group in brent cross shopping centre