Why Choose Our Drama School?
Choosing a drama school is about finding a place where you or your child will feel welcomed, supported and encouraged. If you are wondering why you should choose our drama school, Bristol Academy of Drama offers a personal approach focused on confidence, creativity, communication and the enjoyment of drama.
Established in 2017, we provide drama classes for children, teenagers and adults, alongside holiday workshops, private lessons and school partnerships.
Why Families Choose Bristol Academy Of Drama
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Independent Bristol drama school established in 2017
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A personal approach to every student
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Classes designed around clear school-age stages
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Supportive and experienced drama facilitators
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Strong focus on confidence, creativity and communication
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High-quality productions in professional theatre spaces
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Weekly classes across several Bristol locations
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Opportunities for beginners and students with previous experience
Send us an enquiry to discuss the most suitable class.
A Personal Approach To Drama Education
At Bristol Academy of Drama, we take the time to get to know our students.
Our classes can be energetic and lively, but each student is encouraged to contribute in a way that feels comfortable for them. Some children arrive full of confidence, while others need more time to settle into a new group and begin sharing their ideas.
We understand that every student is different. Our facilitators aim to recognise when someone needs encouragement, reassurance or a new creative challenge.
This personal approach also extends to communication with families. We want parents to understand how classes work, what their child can expect and which group is most suitable for their school stage.
Drama Is About More Than Acting
Students do not need to want a career in acting to benefit from drama classes.
For many children and young people, drama is a creative activity that helps them:
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Build confidence
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Express their ideas
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Improve communication and listening
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Develop imagination
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Work as part of a team
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Make new friends
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Try unfamiliar activities
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Grow more comfortable speaking in front of others
Performance skills are an important part of our classes, but they are only one part of the experience.
Our aim is to give students a supportive space where they can enjoy drama while developing skills that may help them at school, at home and in everyday life.
Classes Designed For Different School Stages
Children learn and develop in different ways as they grow. That is why our classes are organised around clear school-age stages.
Our programmes include:
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Infant School Age classes, for Reception to Year 2
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Scallywags, for children moving between Years 2 and 4
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Junior School Age classes, for Years 3 to 6
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Secondary School Age classes, for Years 7 to 13
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Adult drama classes, for beginners and those with previous experience
Younger students begin with storytelling, imaginative play, movement and drama games. As they progress, activities may include more developed character work, scripts, ensemble activities, theatre craft and rehearsals.
This structure gives students a natural drama journey, with activities that reflect their age and stage of development.
Confidence At A Comfortable Pace
Drama can be valuable for confident children as well as those who are quieter or more reserved.
We do not expect every student to join in exactly the same way. Some may volunteer immediately, while others prefer to observe before becoming more involved.
Our facilitators encourage participation without placing unnecessary pressure on students. Through regular classes, children have opportunities to:
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Share ideas with a group
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Take part in creative activities
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Speak and perform in front of others
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Work collaboratively
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Try something new
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Become more independent
Confidence often develops gradually. Our role is to provide the encouragement, structure and creative opportunities that allow each student to grow.
Creativity, Communication & Teamwork
Drama is a shared creative experience.
Students may explore stories, invent characters, work with scripts or create scenes with other members of their group. These activities encourage them to use their imagination while listening and responding to the ideas of others.
Through drama, students can develop:
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Creative thinking
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Clear communication
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Active listening
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Cooperation
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Empathy
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Problem-solving
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Shared responsibility
We believe students should feel that their ideas matter and that everyone can make a valuable contribution to the group.
High-Quality Performance Opportunities
Performances give students an exciting opportunity to share their creativity and hard work with family and friends.
Depending on the class, students may take part in productions or showcases. All our productions take place in professional theatre spaces and include costumes, lighting and sound.
These experiences can help students:
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Develop performance skills
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Work towards a shared goal
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Build confidence in front of an audience
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Understand the value of teamwork
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Celebrate their progress
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Create lasting memories with their group
Performance arrangements vary between classes. Some groups take part in one production each year, some have additional showcases and adult students may have opportunities to share their work either as a showcase or other performative project.
We provide information about the relevant performance opportunities when families enquire about a class.
An Independent Local Drama School
Bristol Academy of Drama was established in September 2017 by owner and Artistic Director Claire Moulds.
The academy was created to provide high-quality drama experiences with a strong focus on personal attention, student wellbeing and creative development.
We are an independent local academy rather than a large national franchise. This allows us to shape our classes around our students and the communities we serve.
Today, we provide:
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Weekly drama classes
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Holiday drama workshops
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Private drama lessons
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LAMDA examination preparation
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Audition and scholarship support
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School partnerships and outreach
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Productions and performance opportunities
Although the academy has grown, our focus remains on providing a welcoming and supportive experience for every student.
Opportunities Beyond Weekly Classes
Weekly classes are at the heart of Bristol Academy of Drama, but we also offer other ways to explore creativity and performance.
Our holiday drama workshops give children the opportunity to enjoy themed drama activities during school holidays. These sessions often include storytelling, character work, movement, teamwork and a short performance for families.
Private drama lessons provide more individual support. Many sessions focus on LAMDA examinations, although lessons may also help students prepare for auditions, scholarships or other personal performance goals.
We also work with schools through outreach and partnership programmes designed around the needs of each school.
A Supportive & Honest Approach
We want families to have clear and accurate information before joining.
Paid taster sessions are available (when classes are not full), allowing students to experience a class before committing to the full term. After an enquiry, we send the relevant information, including pricing and booking steps, by email.
We are also open about the support available within our classes. Bristol Academy of Drama is not a specialist SEND provision and cannot provide one-to-one support within group sessions.
If a parent is unsure whether a class will suit their child, we encourage them to speak with us. We can explain the class environment and help families make an informed decision.
Classes Across Bristol
We run classes from several venues across Bristol, helping families find a suitable group and location.
Our current class areas include:
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Horfield
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Westbury Park
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Stapleton
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Bedminster
Each venue follows the same Bristol Academy of Drama approach, with age-appropriate activities, supportive facilitators and a focus on confidence, creativity and enjoyment.
What Families Value About The Academy
Feedback from parents, students and adult participants helps new families understand what it is like to join us.
Reviews often highlight:
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The welcoming atmosphere
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Supportive and caring facilitators
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Increased student confidence
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Creative and enjoyable classes
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Good communication with families
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Opportunities to make friends
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High-quality productions
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Students feeling known and encouraged
Discover Bristol Academy Of Drama
Since 2017, Bristol Academy of Drama has provided supportive drama experiences for children, teenagers and adults across Bristol. Our personal approach, age-appropriate classes and creative performance opportunities help students develop confidence while enjoying everything drama has to offer.
Explore our classes or get in touch to discuss the right next step for you or your child.