Classes for Shy Children

Can a shy child join STAMP?

Yes.

Children and young people do not need to arrive at STAMP already feeling confident about singing, dancing, acting or performing in front of other people.

Some members walk through the door and immediately want to get involved in everything. Others need more time to get to know the group, understand how sessions work and become comfortable participating.

Both are absolutely fine.

At STAMP, we encourage members to challenge themselves and take opportunities where possible, while respecting what they are comfortable with.

There can be as much or as little opportunity as a member feels ready to take.

My child loves performing at home but is shy around other people

This is something many parents will recognise.

A child can spend hours singing, dancing or acting at home and then become much quieter when they walk into a room of people they don't know.

That doesn't mean performing arts isn't for them.

Joining a regular group gives them time to become familiar with the other members, teaching team, studios and the way sessions work.

They don't have to prove themselves during their first session.

Our regular weekly classes are not audition-only, and beginners are welcome.

Will my child have to perform on their own?

A child joining STAMP isn't expected to immediately stand up and perform a solo in front of everyone.

Much of what we do involves working as a group.

Members sing together, learn choreography together, rehearse scenes and work towards productions as an ensemble.

For a nervous child, simply joining in with the rest of the group can be an important first step.

As they become more comfortable, there may be opportunities to try something more individual, such as a speaking line, a small singing part or eventually an audition.

We encourage those opportunities, but confidence doesn't need to develop at the same speed for everyone.

How we encourage confidence

We want members to challenge themselves, but that doesn't mean forcing someone into an opportunity they aren't comfortable with.

Instead, we encourage them to take the next step where possible.

For one child, that might mean joining in with a group dance.

For another, it might mean speaking loudly enough for a scene to continue, singing a line independently or volunteering to demonstrate something.

Eventually, some members may feel ready to audition for a role or take on a larger part in a production.

There is no single route that every member has to follow.

Read more about our approach in Building Confidence Through Performing Arts.

What happens during the first session?

Your child's first session is an opportunity to begin getting used to STAMP.

They will join the group and take part in the activities being worked on that week.

Because our sessions change depending on what members are learning and which productions we're preparing for, there isn't one fixed first-session lesson.

They may encounter singing, dancing, acting, performance activities or material from an upcoming production.

Minis sessions can also include creative play and arts and crafts.

A new member isn't expected to already know the material or understand how everything works.

The teaching team knows they're new.

Read What Happens During a STAMP Class? for a fuller explanation.

What if they don't want to sing on their own?

That's okay.

Our regular sessions are group musical theatre classes, so singing isn't limited to solo performance.

Members regularly sing as part of an ensemble.

For someone who is nervous about their voice being heard individually, singing alongside the rest of the group can be a much more comfortable starting point.

As their confidence develops, they may choose to take other opportunities when they're ready.

Read more about Singing Classes for Children.

What if they're nervous about dancing?

Children don't need to arrive knowing choreography or having previous dance training.

Members learn routines during sessions and rehearse them together.

Something that feels unfamiliar when it is first taught can become much more comfortable through repetition.

For a shy child, being part of a group routine can also provide an opportunity to perform without being individually in the spotlight.

Our regular classes focus on musical theatre and performance rather than graded dance examinations.

Read more about Dance Classes for Children.

What if they're nervous about acting?

Acting can give children different ways to participate.

For younger members, this can begin through characters, storytelling and creative play.

Older members can work with scripts, scenes and characters as part of their weekly sessions and production rehearsals.

A child doesn't have to begin with a large speaking role.

They can become familiar with acting as part of group and ensemble work before taking more individual opportunities.

Read more about Drama Classes for Children.

Will you make my child audition?

Auditions for production roles are separate from joining our regular weekly classes.

Children do not need to audition to become a regular STAMP member.

For most Blue and Green productions, we hold auditions for individual roles.

We encourage members to research the show, prepare and put themselves forward for roles they would like.

For a member who is particularly nervous, choosing to audition for the first time can itself be a significant achievement.

Specific roles are never guaranteed, and members continue to have opportunities to perform as part of the wider production and ensemble.

Minis casting is more relaxed and age appropriate, although we still encourage younger members to try small speaking or singing parts where appropriate.

Performing on stage

Performing is an important part of STAMP, but a shy child doesn't need to arrive ready for the stage.

Weekly sessions and rehearsals give members time to learn material and become familiar with what they're doing before it reaches an audience.

When they eventually perform, they are normally doing something they have practised repeatedly with people they know.

For some members, their first performance can be a big step.

Others may already be comfortable on stage but find things such as auditioning, singing independently or speaking to new people more challenging.

Confidence looks different for everybody.

Read more about Student Performance Opportunities.

Making friends and settling into the group

Joining any established group can feel intimidating.

A new member may see children who already know one another, understand the routines and appear very confident.

Those members were new once too.

Weekly sessions give children and young people regular opportunities to get to know the people around them while working together on something they share an interest in.

We can't promise that every child will immediately make friends, but STAMP provides a group environment where members rehearse, create and perform together.

For many members, feeling part of the group becomes an important part of their STAMP experience.

How parents can prepare a nervous child

It can help to make the first session feel predictable without turning it into a big event.

Tell your child what they need to know:

• which STAMP group they're joining;
• where the studios are;
• what time their session starts and finishes;
• that they'll be doing activities involving singing, dancing and acting;
• that they don't need previous experience;
• that the teaching team knows they're new.

For their first session, they should wear comfortable clothing and suitable shoes and bring a snack and drink for the break.

Try not to put pressure on them to achieve something specific during their first visit.

Simply attending, meeting the group and taking part can be enough for session one.

Read Preparing for Your First Class before attending.

Parents during the session

Parents do not stay in the studio or wait with their child during normal STAMP sessions.

This forms part of our security and safeguarding arrangements and also helps members settle into their group, concentrate on the session and become comfortable participating without continually looking for a parent or carer.

We understand that this can feel like a bigger step when a child is nervous.

If there is something we genuinely need to know to support your child, please tell us through the appropriate registration or contact process before their session.

What if my child has additional support needs?

Being shy or nervous isn't necessarily the same as having an additional support need.

If there is something specific that affects how your child participates, please speak to STAMP before their first session so we can understand what they may need.

We don't want parents to feel they have to explain sensitive personal information unnecessarily.

Start through our Contact page and we can advise you on the appropriate way to discuss your child's needs.

Which STAMP group is right for my child?

STAMP currently has three regular weekly groups:

• Minis: ages 3–6
• Blue Group: ages 7–12
• Green Group: ages 13+

Beginners and newcomers are welcome across our regular groups.

Minis provides a lighter introduction to singing, movement, acting, creative play and performance.

Blue Group combines singing, dancing, acting and performance skills for children aged 7–12.

Green Group provides performance-focused musical theatre for young people aged 13+.

Visit our Classes page to compare the groups and check current availability.

Give them time to find their place

A child doesn't have to become the loudest person in the room for STAMP to be worthwhile.

They might begin by quietly joining an ensemble number, then become more comfortable with the group, volunteer for something new and gradually discover what they enjoy.

Some will eventually want principal roles. Others will be happiest performing as part of the company.

Both can be valuable experiences.

Our job is to provide opportunities, encourage members to challenge themselves and help them take the next step when they're ready.

If your child would like to try performing arts but is worried about joining, explore our current STAMP classes and see which group is appropriate for their age.