The Octagon Academy is the place to sing, dance and act with the emphasis on fun and enjoyment. With many classes to choose from for all ages and abilities. So if you love to sing, were born to dance or want to get fit The Octagon Academy has something for you!

Classes run term-time with some classes continuing through the school holidays. Participants in our classes perform regularly both at The Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue.

Monday

Musical Theatre Performance

Time: 4:30 – 5:15pm              Age Group: 6 – 10 years                                 Price: £4 per week

Teacher: Aimee Louise Harris of Stage Dance

This Musical Theatre Dance & Performance class will get your heart pumping, body jumping and mouth moving. Mastering the dynamic and challenging passion for the triple threat, dancing, singing, and acting. Learning routines from well-known west end musicals.

Somerset Youth Theatre

Time: 5 – 6:30pm                    Age Group: 7 – 18 years                                 Price: £5 per week

Teacher: Nick White of Wassail Theatre Company

Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue

The Somerset Youth Theatre is for anyone interested in devising, writing or performing. No previous experience is necessary – just come wanting to be creative, have fun and make new friends. Somerset is full of funny stories, brilliant characters and strange myths. The time has come to turn these tales into plays, and bring some of the county’s best-kept secrets to life!

*Term-time only

Advanced Musical Theatre Performance

Time: 5:30pm – 6:15pm         Age Group: 10 – 14 years                               Price: £4 per week

Teacher: Aimee Louise Harris of Stage Dance

Advanced level of Musical Theatre for children to feel challenged and to focus on technique to be encouraged and motivated to the best of their ability.

For more information, please contact Aimee: stagedance@btinternet.com

Lyrical Teens

Time: 6:15pm – 6:45pm         Age Group: 13+ years                                     Price: £3 per week

Teacher: Aimee Louise Harris of Stage Dance

Intense 30 minutes of pure lyrical dance, learning basic to challenging routines, creating beautiful movements with the body and working on physical technique through stunning music. A great short class that will give a burst of energy and help you to focus on the true meaning and love behind a dance routine.

The Octagon Choir

Time: 7 – 9pm                         Age Group: 14+ years                         Price: £4 per week

Teacher: Adam Burgan

If you love singing, then why not join our choir! Make new friends and generally have fun. The ability to read music is an advantage but is not essential, first and foremost we want people who love to sing.

 Tuesday

Octagon Tappers

Time: 12:30 – 1:30pm            Age Group: 16+ years                         Price: £4.50 per week

Teacher: Katey Leader

Get those toes tappin' with these fun sessions, great for developing rhythm, co-ordination and keeping fit.

*Term-time only

Octagon Boys Dance Company

Time: 6 – 7pm             Age Group: 6-14 years                        Price: £3 per week *

Teacher: Gemma Gubb

We want to get more boys dancing. Dance will help boys build confidence, resilience, focus and motivation. Attending regular dance classes will support boys in developing social skills, friendship groups, a healthy physical and mental wellbeing, and simply make them feel happy and more engaged with learning. Dance for boys has wide reaching benefits.

The class will be highly physical, fun and most importantly creative. We want to help boys find their own creative voices and collective strength. Throughout the year dancers will work with professional dance companies, have exclusive access to rehearsals, and get to meet artists at private events.

*We believe that the cost of our dance classes should not be a barrier to participation and support the Passport to Leisure Scheme.

Octagon Youth Dance Company

Time: 7 – 8:30pm                    Age Group: 12-18 years                      Price: £3 per week *

Teacher: Gemma Gubb

At the Octagon Theatre we are developing a Youth Dance Company which will teach both girls and boys various dance styles and choreographic techniques. Dancers will devise, create and receive multiple opportunities to perform across South Somerset. Throughout the year dancers will work with professional dance companies, have exclusive access to rehearsals, and get the opportunity to meet artists at private events.

Our Youth Dance Company is open to talented, committed, enthusiastic and motivated dancers aged 12-18. Prior dance experience is desirable; however we encourage dancers of all backgrounds to have a go as we are looking for dancers with natural flair and creativity. To join, budding dancers will be asked to attend an audition workshop, auditions will be held annually, please email Octagontheatre@SouthSomerset.Gov.Uk for more information.

*We believe that the cost of our dance classes should not be a barrier to participation and support the Passport to Leisure Scheme. 

Wednesday

Toddler & Parent Dance

Time: 1:30 – 2pm       Age Group: 15months – 3 years                     Price: Term fees apply

Teacher: Helen Laxton School of Dance

Fun filled music and movement classes for toddlers from 15 months and their parents. The classes aim to improve co-ordination and basic movement skills in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

*Term-time only

Pre School Ballet

Time: 2 – 2.30pm                   Age Group: 3 – 4 ½ years                   Price: Term fees apply

Teacher: Helen Laxton School of Dance

These classes are based on The Royal Academy of Dance Pre Primary Ballet Syllabus. They are carefully structured to inspire young children, to promote creativity and to make them aware of their bodies and how they move. The class teaches the basic Ballet positions, steps and techniques in a fun filled, imaginative way.

*Term-time only

Advanced Street Dance

Time: 4:45 – 5:45pm              Age Group: 10 – 14 years                   Price: Term fees apply

Teacher: Keri Hill

This class is by audition and is suitable for dancers aged 10 - 14 years. For more information, please contact Keri Hill: kerihilldance@gmail.com

*Term-time only

Latin Fit

Time: 6 – 6:45pm                   Age Group: 16+ years                         Price: £4 per week

Teacher: Keri Hill

Join the fitness craze that is sweeping the nation! Blending Latin-inspired dance-fitness with red-hot international music.

Pilates

Time: 7 – 8pm                        Age Group: 16+ years                         Price: £6.50 per week  OR  £30 for six weeks

Teacher: Gill Bray

Thursday

Octagon Street Dance

Time: 5 – 5:45pm                    Age Group: 5-9 years                          Price: £4 per week

Teacher: Carrie Madgwick

Energetic, lively, structured classes which improve fitness, flexibility, co-ordination, muscular strength and confidence. Learn the latest funky moves, routines and dance styles with all your favourite music.

*Term-time only

Octagon Street Dance

Time: 6 – 6:45pm                    Age Group: 10-16 years                                  Price: £4 per week

Teacher: Carrie Madgwick

Energetic, lively, structured classes which improve fitness, flexibility, co-ordination, muscular strength and confidence. Learn the latest funky moves, routines and dance styles with all your favourite music.

*Term-time only

Friday

Under 10’s Street Dance

Time: 3:50 – 4:30pm              Age Group: under 10 years                             Price: £4 per week

Teacher: Keri Hill

*Term-time only

Advanced Street Dance

Time: 4:30 – 5:15pm              Age Group: 10 – 14 years                   Price: Term fees apply

Teacher: Keri Hill

This class is by audition and is suitable for dancers aged 10 - 14 years. For more information, please contact Keri Hill: kerihilldance@gmail.com

*Term-time only

Pure Drama

Time: 5:30 – 6:30pm              Age Group: 8 – 15 years                     Price: Term fees apply

Teacher: Sarah Lowery

Our syllabus will include looking at different scripts, improvisation through imagination, voice projection and techniques, audition process and of course lots of fun!

*Term-time only

Commercial Dance

Time: 6:45 – 7:45pm                    Age Group: 15+ years                        Price: £5 per week

Teacher: Georgia Green

Struggle to find a class without the termly commitment? Want to learn NEW routines each week to the latest songs? Then join this pay as you go, upbeat Commercial Class! Varying in commercial styles, something different each week!

Saturday

Castaways Theatre Group

Time: 10am – 3pm                  Age Group: 5-16 years                                    Price: £5 per week

*paid monthly

Teacher: Lynn Lee Brown

Venue: Westlands Entertainment Venue

Drama and singing. We perform two shows a year to help raise money for St Margaret's Hospice. Run by Lynn Lee Brown and Musical Director, Helen Green. For more information please contact castawaytheatregroup@outlook.com or call 01935 414662.

Saturday Theatre School

Time: 10am – 12noon             Age Group: 6 – 14 years                     Price: £10 per week

Teacher: Aimee Louise Harris of Stage Dance

Venue: Johnson Studio, Octagon Theatre

A fantastic Saturday Theatre Performance School, a thriving morning designed to encourage skills in the industry of Performing Arts. This morning session aims to nurture young talent in reaching their full potential in Drama, Dance, and Singing; ensuring children develop confidence in communication skills and self-awareness, whilst having fun and meeting new friends along the way. All students in Stage Dance classes will be encouraged to take part in shows for the outside public that commence throughout the year.

For more information, please contact Aimee: stagedance@btinternet.com

*Starts on the 7th September 2019.

Please contact the Box Office on 01935 422 884 or octagontheatre@SouthSomerset.Gov.Uk for more information on the classes on offer at The Octagon Theatre and Westlands Entertainment Venue.