Q: If you are so good, why are you cheaper than...?
A: It is our intention to keep the training as affordable as possible without compromising quality. Stage Express is a wholly owned company, and we achieve this by keeping corporate overheads to a minimum. We believe in providing the highest quality training at affordable prices, therefore encouraging students from all walks of life to maximise their full potential.

Q: Will my child become famous?
A: Perhaps, perhaps not. There are no guarantees in the performing arts business. We do not promise fame but we do promise to train our students to give them a professional edge over other auditionees. We also put forward deserving students for many outside opportunities. Stage Express arms the students with knowledge and skills to enable them to get the most out of an audition. Talent alone does not lead to success. It is far more often the attitude and application of someone which leads to success.

Q: Do I have to audition?
A: No, we accept students of all abilities. We also provide audition technique training to give our students a realistic expectation of what is required of them. When casting for our large scale shows, whilst every student is included in the performances there are some parts that may need to be auditioned for.

Q: Do I have to take exams?
A: We strongly recommend the students do. The Trinity Guildhall examinations for Musical Theatre are for groups of up to ten, so they are not as intimidating as one-to-one exams. We have chosen the Trinity syllabus because it fits very well with our curriculum and structure and can be followed right up to diploma standard. The qualifications are widely recognised in the performing industry. Besides helping to add structure to the lessons, the certificates for passed exams give the student's greater self-esteem and document their progress.

Q: Is there an agency as part of your organisation?
A: Yes - In 2006 we launched our Triple Mask Promotions Ltd. and DMM Agency, due to popular demand.

Q: Will my child be in the annual show?
A: Yes!

Q: I want my child to gain more self-confidence but I am afraid he/she may be too shy. Is Stage Express for him/her?
A: Absolutely - many of our best performers were shy when they joined us. There is a minimum level in that the student must be prepared to join in the activities, but the infectious nature and the caring environment will encourage most shy students to come out of their shell. It is extremely rare that a student is so shy they get nothing from the course.

Q: Does my child have to take part in all three disciplines? Can he / she only do acting, for example?
A: Due to the synergistic nature of the performing arts, there is a greater need to develop skills in all three disciplines. It is very rare for a student to come to us with an abundance of talent in all three areas. In time, improvements are made in all areas, even though a student may excel in one particular discipline. The confidence gained in an area that a student may initially find difficult fives a great sense of achievement.

Q: Does my child have to come every week, or can they come when they want?
A: Students have to commit to a term and attendance is very important. The students work on various group activities that rely on each other, for example roles, choreography etc.

Q: Will my child enjoy it?
A: We understand that Stage Express may not be for everyone, which is why we offer trial sessions, for potential students to have a 'taste' of the sort of things that Stage Express offers. The student will then know if they are going to enjoy the rest of the course, and join the term, if there is a place available. When the school is full, they will be placed on a waiting list, or offered an alternative place at one of our other schools.

Q: Will it prepare me for a professional career in the performing arts?
A: Yes! Stage Express is very much about giving the students a professional attitude as well as giving them the experience in a professional environment. This is why the annual show is of such importance where students get an opportunity to work with a professional name in a professional theatre.

Q: Will my child be safe?
A: Learning the performing arts is a physical activity, and we take the utmost care to ensure the students are not exposed to unneccessary risk. All of our teachers, staff and helpers are Police checked. We also link with child protection services and regularly send our staff and helpers on government courses in child welfare and child development. Most teachers are First Aid trained and we have a programme to promote that all our teachers are 'Appointed Person' qualified. We operate fire drills procedures termly.

We have a firm behaviour policy that includes anti-bullying and anti-racism. We also insist on an appointed First Aider at each school - the safety of our students and staff always comes first.

t: 01942 239030
e: enquiries@stageexpress.co.uk

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