Young People’s Theatre Newcastle

Class Descriptions

Class Descriptions

Core Classes

Primary Drama

60 minute classes – $350 per Semester (Two Terms) – years 1-4
90 minute classes – $480 per Semester (Two Terms) – years 5-6

Drama classes are the foundation for all other YPT classes and productions. Drama Classes teach students valuable performance and life skills in a fun and engaging environment. Drama encourages students to think creatively as they develop their confidence through a wide variety of inclusive, energetic, and fun activities. Drama is the foundation of all performing arts disciplines and students will have the opportunity to explore other areas of performing such as basic voice and movement, puppetry, improvisation, and script work.

Note: Students must enrol in drama to access extension classes

High School Drama

90 minute classes – $480 per Semester (Two Terms)

Drama classes are the foundation for all other YPT classes and productions. Students enrolled in high school drama classes will be provided with age appropriate content catered specifically to their class group. Students will be given the opportunity to explore a wide variety of forms and styles while building their skills and confidence in performing. Drama is an excellent way to build life skills in a fun and inclusive environment.

*Students must enrol in drama to access extension classes until Year 11 for Think Beyond or permission may be granted for Advanced Tech Students on a per-student basis.Β 

Senior Courses

Think Beyond

Running since 2018, the Think Beyond programs are designed for students with a deep commitment to the performing arts who are ready to push themselves beyond their comfort zone. These programs are fast-paced, challenging, and structured to mirror industry expectations.

Acceptance into the Think Beyond Program is by AUDITION and APPLICATION

Learn More

Β 

Players Collective

This new offering provides a dynamic and flexible experience for senior students focusing on the joy of theatre

Acceptance into the Players Collective Program is by APPLICATION

Learn More

Extension Classes

YPT offers extension classes to currently enrolled drama students to further develop their skills, confidence and understanding in other areas of the performing arts.

Students in years 1 to 10 must enrol in a Drama class before they can access the extension class program as Drama provides the foundational skills for all our classes.

Year 11 and 12 students may choose either Think Beyond Drama, Think Beyond Musical Theatre class or regular Drama Classes. Following enrolment in a Think Beyond Class, they may access other Extension Classes applicable to their Year group. Refer to the Extension Class list below.

Students in Years 9 and above are eligible to apply to access the Behind the Scenes Technical Class without drama.

Musical Theatre

Sing-Act-Move

60 minute classes – $350 per Semester (Two Terms)

Sing-Act-Move is the perfect introduction for students interested in exploring the basics of singing, dance, and storytelling. A fun, engaging and supportive class where students learn the fundamentals of performance such as rhythm and musicality through voice work and movement sequences. Students learn to use their voice and bodies to tell stories and keep active in an upbeat and energetic class. This a great introduction class for students interested in auditioning for our productions or doing Musical Theatre or Dance in future years.

Musical Theatre

60 minute classes – $350 per Semester (Two Terms)
90 minute classes – $480 per Semester (Two Terms)

Musical Theatre combines the disciplines of Singing, Dancing and Acting into one high-energy class. This Ensemble based class is perfect for students who wish to challenge themselves in a fun and supportive environment while they learn how to tell stories through voice, movement and characterisation.

Dance

Dance classes enable students to increase coordination and flexibility. YPT offers classes in Tap and Jazz dance. Students who attend these classes are more confident when approaching an audition for a musical theatre production.Β  We really encourage young people who might never have entered a dance studio to try our inclusive classes.

Dance Classes:

  • Tap Minis: enrols students in Years 2, 3 & 4
  • Tap Level 1: enrols students in Years 5 & 6
  • Tap Level 2: enrols students in Year 7 to 12 Beginners
  • Tap Level 3: enrols students in Year 9 to 12 Intermediate to Advanced
  • Jazz Kids: enrols students in Years 3, 4, 5, & 6
  • Jazz Level 1: enrols students in Year 7 to 12 Beginners
  • Jazz Level 2: enrols students in Year 7 to 12 Intermediate
  • Jazz Level 3: enrols students in Year 9 to12 Intermediate to Advanced

Jazz Minis

30 minute class – $175 per Semester (Two Terms)

For students in years 2–4. An energetic, active, fun and supportive class where students learn the foundations of Jazz Dance and develop skills and confidence in dance performance. Great for students wishing to audition for our productions.Β 

Jazz Kids

60 minute class – $350 per Semester (Two Terms)

For students in years 5–6. An energetic, active, fun and supportive class where students learn the foundations of Jazz Dance and develop skills and confidence in dance performance. Great for students wishing to audition for our productions.Β 

Jazz: Level 1–3

60 minute class – $350 per Semester (Two Terms)

Strengthen dance technique; develop skills and confidence to dance in Musical Productions; develop ability to pick up choreography quickly and add explore character. An energetic, active, fun and supportive class!

Jazz is offered in two levels based on experience:

  • Jazz Level 1: enrols students in Year 7+ Beginners
  • Jazz Level 2: enrols students in Year 8+ IntermediateΒ 
  • Jazz Level 3: enrols students in Year 9+ Intermediate to Advanced.

Enrolment in Jazz Level 2 and Jazz Level 3 is not automatic. Please enrol in your preferred class and a member of the YPT Team will contact you to confirm enrolment.Β 

Tap Minis

30 minute class – $175 per Semester (Two Terms)

This class is a mini class offered to students in Year 2–4 to give an introduction and foundation to Tap Dancing. Learn basic tap combos; patterns and foundation steps. An active class building confidence and stamina in a fun, engaging, supportive environment while building skills in musicality and rhythm.

Tap Kids

30 minute class – $175 per Semester (Two Terms)

This class is a mini class offered to students in Year 5–6 to give build foundations in Tap Dancing. Learn basic tap combos; patterns and foundation steps. An active class building confidence and stamina in a fun, engaging, supportive environment while building skills in musicality and rhythm.

Tap Level 1–3

30 MINUTE CLASS – $175 PER SEMESTER (TWO TERMS)
60 MINUTE CLASS – $350 PER SEMESTER (TWO TERMS)

Recommended for the development of skills in rhythm, musicality and dance technique. Learn basic to challenging tap combos; terminology; tap patterns and tap styles. An active class building confidence and stamina in a fun, engaging, supportive environment.

Tap is offered in three levels:

  • Tap Level 1: enrols students in Year 7+ who are at a Beginner LevelΒ 
  • Tap Level 2: enrols students in Year 8+ who are at an Intermediate LevelΒ 
  • Tap Level 3: enrols students in Year 9+ who have experience and are an Intermediate to Advanced Level.Β 
Enrolment in Tap Level 2 and Tap Level 3 is not automatic. Please enrol in your preferred class and a member of the YPT Team will contact you to confirm enrolment.Β 

Specialist Classes

Behind the Scenes Technical Class - Level 1-2

60 MINUTE CLASS – $350 PER SEMESTER (TWO TERMS)

These classes include the technical aspects of theatre including lighting and sound design and operation; backstage crew, stage management, etc. The classes cover both theory and practical aspects of production support. Students in these classes will get the opportunity to provide technical support to YPT productions and events.

Behind the Scenes Tech is offered in three levels:

  • Tech Level 1: enrols students in Year 7+ who are at a Beginner Level
  • Tech Level 2: enrols students in Year 8+ who are at an Intermediate Level
  • Tech Level 3: enrols students in Year 9+ who have experience and are at an Advanced Level (see next section for more details)

Enrolment in Tech Level 2 and Tech Level 3 is not automatic. Please enrol in your preferred class and a member of the YPT team will contact you to confirm enrolment.

Behind the Scenes Technical Class - Level 3

180 MINUTE CLASS Three times a term – $350 PER SEMESTER (TWO TERMS)

These classes include the technical aspects of theatre including lighting and sound design and operation; backstage crew , stage management, etc. The classes cover both theory and practical aspects of production support. Students in these classes will get the opportunity to provide technical support to YPT productions and events.

Tech classes are offered in a workshop format, with three 3-hour classes per term, to be advised in first week of classes.

Enrolment is based on individual application and experience. Contact enrolment@ypt.org.au for more infoΒ 

External enrolment available for Years 9+ without accessing drama via application. External students who do not attend drama, are not eligible to perform in productions, however they are eligible to apply for crew.

Behind the Scenes Design - Prop Making Class

120 MINUTE CLASS Fortnightly per Term – $160 PER Term

In this class students will learn how to design and create props for the stage. Students will learn a variety of techniques and workshop some props for a production later in the year.

This class is offered in a workshop format, with 120-minute classes held fortnightly, to be advised in first week of classes.

Scriptwriting Class

120 MINUTE CLASS HELD FORTNIGHTLY – $350 PER SEMESTER (TWO TERMS)

This class gives students the opportunity to explore scriptwriting for various ages and audiences.Β 

The class will spend the year writing both their ownΒ individual short plays and a group written Christmas play with songsΒ aimed at young children. This musical will be performed by junior students at the end of the year.

This class is offered in a workshop format, with 120-minute classes held fortnightly, to be advised in first week of classes.

Contact school@ypt.org.au for more infoΒ 

Private Tuition

Private Tuition (Singing)

30 minute individual lesson– $45/Lesson (billed by the term)

Beginners to advanced levels, classes are tailored to the students needs. High-quality 30 minute weekly lessons taught by qualified and experienced teachers. After understanding students’ goals, teachers create individualised lessons to strengthen singing techniques, build performance confidence, prepare for auditions or school assessments, prepare for selective schools auditions, and develop a personal repertoire. Option to sit formal singing exams

Private Tuition (Drama)

30 minute individual lesson – $45/ LESSON (billed by the term)

Beginners to advanced levels, classes are tailored to the students needs. High-quality 30 minute weekly lessons taught by qualified and experienced teachers. After understanding students’ goals, teachers create individualised lessons to strengthen drama practise, build performance confidence, prepare for auditions or school assessments, prepare for selective schools auditions, and develop a personal repertoire.

Private Tuition (Tap)

30 minute individual lesson – $45/ LESSON (billed by the term)

Beginners to advanced levels, classes are tailored to the students needs. High-quality 30 minuteΒ Β weekly lessons taught by qualified and experienced teachers. These lessons are for students who may need a more one on one approach with these practical skills. Students will work on building their rhythm and musicality and foundational skills. Attending group tap classes is encouraged if viable for the child, however this option is available for those who need to access it.

Small Group Singing Classes

30 MINUTE SEMI-PRIVATE LESSON – $355 PERΒ  SEMESTER (2 TERMS)

Small group singing lessons are semi-private lessons focusing on building students’ musicality, pitch and rhythm. Students would attend this class in lieu of private singing lessons. This is different to our Musical Theatre classes and it is encouraged to do in addition to our regular extension classes. Students will be grouped in groups of 4 students of similar ages.

Students will learn a song together as a group of 4, and work on small group repertoire as opposed to individual work. This is a great stepping stone for students who would be interested in Private Singing Lessons in the future.

Small Group Script Skills Classes

60 MINUTE LESSON Held Fortnightly – $355 PERΒ  SEMESTER (2 TERMS)

The Script Skills class is a smaller group where students can work more closely with a tutor to develop their skills. Students would attend this class in lieu of private drama lessons. In this fortnightly class, students will develop skills in working with and performing different types of scripts. These transferable skills may be applied to other scripts that students are presented with, such as in: auditions, rehearsals, school activities and workshops. The students will build a repertoire of monologues, duologues and group scenes which they can utilise for future auditions and school presentations

Skills will include:

  • analysing a script to decipher character traits and goals
  • vocal techniques such as expression, diction and projection
  • physicality of the character, gesture and movement in the performance space.