Speech and Drama lessons offer tailored one-to-one tuition for young people with a love of literature and/or the desire to enhance their confidence and communication skills. Lessons are delivered in our purpose built Speech and Drama rooms by experienced professionals. All students are trained in Speech and Drama disciplines and will typically perform at local competitive drama festivals in addition to taking at least one graded examination each academic year. Competitive Drama Festivals include The Mrs Sunderland Festival (Huddersfield), The Wharfedale Festival (Ilkley) and the Blackburn Festival (Blackburn). Each student performs for live audiences and is assessed by festival adjudicators. Outstanding performances may be awarded 3rd, 2nd or 1st places and trophies in the competition. All students receive a written report which they can use to reflect on their ongoing development of individual skills. Some festivals award special prizes for outstanding work over the breadth of festival ‘classes’.

Speech and Drama students are entered for Trinity College London Examinations, typically in May or July. Stage 84 is a registered examination centre, thereby eliminating a requirement to travel to another centre or for students to perform in unfamiliar surroundings. We have achieved a 100% pass rate in these examinations since first entering in 1984. In 2008 a Stage 84 student received the highest mark in Great Britain in Communication Skills at Grade 5 (an outstanding 98%). As a result she was awarded a prestigious Exhibition Award by Trinity College London in recognition of her achievement. Since then, 2 further Stage 84 students achieved marks of 100% in their Speech & Drama examinations in 2017.

Trinity College London is a highly respected board to be examined by. Their certificates are held in high esteem and will enhance any CV. Older students holding Trinity certificates applying to further and higher education institutions will find them advantageous, as evidence of extra curricular education and development. Advanced level qualifications (Grades 6-8) are formally recognised within the UCAS Tariff for entry to UK higher education, effective from 2008.

Class Times
Classes run on Monday, Wednesdy and Thursday evenings at the Old Fire Station, Idle and are organised as follows (all ages):
SD1 (Monday) - Between 5.00pm-9.00pm
SD2 (Wednesday) - Between 5.00pm-6.30pm
SD3 (Thursday) - Between 5.00pm-9.00pm

Uniform requirements - in brief
Throughout the year students are expected to wear sensible clothing to enable them to move safely, easily and comfortably during lessons. Flat shoes and trousers / bottoms are desirable, wearing of jewellery is discouraged. Hair should be tied back so the face can be seen clearly. For examinations, a smart clean outfit is appreciated.
Stage 84 t-shirt, black trousers / plain jogging bottoms, black socks and black footwear may be worn. Information here.

Speech and Drama offers young people of every age and ability the chance to perform for live audiences, be trained by experienced professionals, explore literature & drama and build confidence. Disciplines learned in Speech and Drama classes often become life skills a young person may draw upon in later life. Every student is valued as an individual and guided to achieve their own potential. All students have the opportunity to be represented by the School for potential work in professional television, film, radio and theatre productions.

If you are interested in joining a Speech and Drama class at Stage 84, please navigate to our Contact page for contact details.