BE AWESOME – Learn Drama in 2024!

As the new school year begins, we’re excited to be expanding with new locations, classes, productions and staff. We have been established since 2007, and are proud to have cemented a reputation as an institution providing excellence and professionalism in the areas of young actor training, musical theatre and the dramatic arts through classes including Young Actors Program, Musical Theatre, the senior drama ensemble Actors Company, Writer’s Lab, Improv and a Pre-Diploma of Musical Theatre with something for everyone from kinder to 18+.

Now operating from venues in Islington, Broadmeadow, Singleton, Cessnock, Valentine, Morpeth and Lakelands, there are also several new faces in the team, who are passionate and dedicated to fostering young talent and inspiring young people to be the best possible versions of themselves.

Our Artistic Director, James Chapman, feels like there is a new energy to everything we are doing in 2024. “We believe in providing the highest quality drama education in a supportive and nurturing environment. In 2024 we’re introducing Improv classes and our popular Writer’s Lab is returning for aspiring playwrights.

“The study of drama can be transformative, teaching skills that improve confidence and self-esteem, social connection and relationships, public speaking, empathy, creativity, and general communication skills. Drama studies can change lives, we see it every day and it’s an incredibly rewarding part of our work – to see our young people shine, to watch them develop life skills that are directly transferable to any career, not just the performing arts.

”Delivering the program of workshops and working behind the scenes are some new faces that include Matthew Harper, Head of Drama, who holds a Bachelor of Teaching (Humanities) (Honours) and recently submitted his Doctor of Philosophy thesis at the University of Newcastle. He is highly committed to ensuring fun, inclusive, and significant learning, and nurturing young people’s confidence, collaboration, empathy, and imagination. Other new faces include Brooke Page, Studio Manager who taught dance – Jazz, Tap, Hip-Hop, Ballet and even Irish dancing for over 15 years and Liane Morris, Media and Marketing Manager who has significant experience in arts marketing (Sydney Symphony, ABC, Riverside Theatres and Newcastle Fringe).

There are six productions planned for the year including The Jungle Book in April, Love and Information in May, The Passport Play in June, School of Rock in July, Carrie the Musical in August and Game Night in December. Every production stars the Hunter Drama students and offers performance opportunities for every student at either the Civic Theatre, Civic Playhouse or the Performance Arts Culture Cessnock (PACC).

If you haven’t enrolled yet, you’d best hurry – places are filling fast and we don’t want you to miss out on all the fun!