Musical Theatre for Beginners

Can beginners join STAMP?

Absolutely.

Children and young people don't need previous experience in singing, dancing, acting or musical theatre to join STAMP's regular weekly groups.

Some members arrive having attended performing arts classes before. Others have never been inside a rehearsal room.

Your child doesn't need to be equally confident in singing, dancing and acting either.

They might love singing but have never danced, enjoy acting but feel nervous about singing, or simply know that they love performing and want to try musical theatre for the first time.

That's what the classes are there for.

What is musical theatre?

Musical theatre brings singing, dancing and acting together to tell a story.

At STAMP, children and young people experience all three as part of their regular sessions.

Depending on what their group is working on, a session might involve:

• learning a song;
• learning choreography;
• rehearsing a scene;
• developing a character;
• practising a musical number;
• working as part of an ensemble;
• preparing material for an upcoming production.

The balance changes throughout the year, particularly when we're rehearsing for a show.

Read What Happens During a STAMP Class? to find out more.

Do beginners need to audition?

No.

There is no audition required to join STAMP's regular weekly groups.

Beginners and newcomers are welcome.

Auditions for individual roles in productions are separate from joining STAMP.

For most Blue and Green productions, members will have opportunities to audition for specific characters or roles once they're part of the group.

We use those auditions as part of the learning experience, encouraging members to research the show, prepare and put themselves forward.

Specific roles aren't guaranteed, but members continue to have opportunities to perform as part of the wider company and ensemble.

Minis casting is more relaxed and age appropriate.

What will happen during the first few sessions?

A new member isn't expected to walk through the door already knowing what to do.

As well as learning songs, dances or scenes, they're also getting used to a new group.

They'll be learning people's names, becoming familiar with the studios, understanding how the teaching team works and getting used to the way rehearsals run.

Something that seems completely normal to an established member might be completely new to somebody attending for the first time.

That's okay.

The teaching team knows when someone is new.

The aim isn't for a beginner to prove themselves during their first session. It's to start taking part and become more comfortable with the group.

“But I can't sing”

You don't need to arrive as a trained singer.

Singing at STAMP includes ensemble and group work, so joining doesn't mean immediately having to sing a solo in front of everybody.

Members can learn songs together and develop areas such as pitch, rhythm, breathing, diction, harmonies, projection and communicating a song as part of a character or story.

As members become more confident, there may be opportunities for more individual singing.

Read more about Singing Classes for Children.

“But I can't dance”

You don't need previous dance training either.

Choreography is taught and rehearsed during sessions.

Members learn routines together and have time to practise them.

Something that looks difficult when it's first introduced can become much more comfortable after it has been broken down, learned and repeated.

Our regular groups focus on dance as part of musical theatre and performance rather than graded dance examinations.

Read more about Dance Classes for Children.

“I've never acted before”

That's fine too.

Acting is developed as part of STAMP's regular sessions and productions.

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

Older members can work with scripts, scenes, dialogue and character development as part of their musical theatre sessions and production rehearsals.

Nobody needs to arrive already knowing how to interpret a script or develop a character.

Those are skills that can be developed by taking part.

Read more about Drama Classes for Children.

What if my child is shy?

Being a beginner and being nervous often go together.

A child may love singing and dancing at home but become much quieter when they're surrounded by people they don't know.

They don't have to immediately volunteer for a solo, speaking part or demonstration.

Much of musical theatre involves working as part of a group, so a new member can begin by joining in with ensemble songs, dances, scenes and activities.

As they become more comfortable, we encourage them to challenge themselves and take new opportunities where possible while respecting what they feel ready for.

Read our Classes for Shy Children guide if this is something you're worried about.

Making mistakes is part of rehearsing

Nobody gets everything right first time.

Rehearsals exist because songs, choreography, scenes and performances need to be learned and practised.

Members might forget a line, go the wrong way in a dance, miss an entrance or sing the wrong note.

Then they try it again.

Learning how to take direction, make a correction and improve something through rehearsal is part of the experience.

We don't expect beginners to be perfect.

Which STAMP group is right for a beginner?

STAMP has three regular weekly groups.

Minis

Ages 3–6

Minis provides a lighter introduction to performing arts through singing, movement, acting, creative play and activities including arts and crafts.

Minis runs weekly on Saturdays and Sundays.

No previous performing experience is required.

Blue Group

Ages 7–12

Blue combines singing and vocal work, dance and movement, acting, drama and performance skills.

Members also work towards productions and other performance opportunities.

Blue Group runs weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Beginners and newcomers are welcome.

Green Group

Ages 13+

Green is performance-focused and combines singing, acting, dance, ensemble work and preparation for productions.

Green Group runs weekly on Mondays and Thursdays.

Young people don't need previous musical theatre experience to join.

Visit our Classes page for current session times, fees and availability.

Will my child get to perform?

Performance is an important part of STAMP.

Regular members are given opportunities to take part in productions and performances, although specific roles aren't guaranteed.

As a production approaches, members can see the individual things they've been learning begin to come together.

Songs, scenes and choreography become complete musical numbers and eventually part of a fully staged production for a public audience.

For a beginner, that journey from walking into their first session to eventually performing something they've spent weeks rehearsing can be a significant part of the STAMP experience.

Read more about Student Performance Opportunities.

What should my child wear for their first session?

There's no need to buy specialist clothing before trying STAMP.

For their first session, we recommend:

• comfortable clothing suitable for moving around;
• suitable shoes;
• a snack;
• a drink for the break.

The priority is for your child to feel comfortable and be able to take part.

Any ongoing classwear or production-specific requirements will be communicated separately.

Read Preparing for Your First Class before attending.

How parents can help a beginner

Try not to make the first session feel like an audition or something your child needs to succeed at.

They aren't coming to prove how talented they are.

They're coming to meet the group, experience a STAMP session and start learning.

Afterwards, instead of asking whether they were the best, whether they got to sing on their own or whether the teacher thought they were good, ask them what they actually did.

What song did they learn?

Did they try a dance?

Did they meet somebody new?

What was their favourite part?

Would something feel easier the second time?

For some children, one session is enough to feel at home. Others need a little longer to settle.

Musical theatre classes for beginners in South Shields

STAMP has provided performing arts opportunities for children and young people in South Tyneside since 2006.

Our regular weekly classes take place at:

STAMP Studios
5 Frederick Street
South Shields
Tyne and Wear
NE33 5DY

Children and young people can learn singing, dancing and acting while working towards opportunities to perform on stage.

Previous performing experience isn't required and regular weekly membership isn't audition-only.

Ready to give musical theatre a try?

Start by finding the group appropriate for your child's age:

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

Check the relevant class page for current session times, fees and joining or trial availability.

You can also read How to Join STAMP for a step-by-step guide to getting started.