Preparing for Your First Class

Your first visit to STAMP

Starting a new activity can feel exciting, slightly nerve-racking or a bit of both.

There's no need for your child to arrive at STAMP already knowing how to sing, dance or act, and they don't need to prepare an audition piece for a regular weekly class.

Their first session is about meeting the group, getting to know the teaching team and starting to take part.

This guide covers the practical things you need to know before you arrive.

Before you leave home

Make sure your child's place or trial has been confirmed and check the current day and session time for their group.

STAMP has three regular weekly groups:

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

Session information can change, so check the relevant class page rather than relying on an older social media post or message.

Our regular weekly sessions take place at:

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

What should my child wear?

For their first session, keep it simple.

Your child should wear:

• comfortable clothing they can move around in;
• suitable shoes.

There's no need to buy specialist dancewear or performance clothing before their first session.

The important thing is that your child feels comfortable and can safely take part in singing, dancing, acting and other activities.

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

What should they bring?

Please bring:

• a snack;
• a drink for the break.

It's also a good idea to put your child's name on drinks and belongings that might be put down during the session.

Avoid bringing unnecessary valuables where possible.

If your child's group needs anything additional for a particular rehearsal or activity, the teaching team will let families know.

What will happen during the session?

There isn't one fixed first lesson that every new member completes.

STAMP sessions change depending on the group and what we're currently working towards.

Your child's first session might include:

• singing;
• learning or rehearsing choreography;
• acting or drama;
• characters or scenes;
• ensemble activities;
• performance skills;
• rehearsing material for an upcoming production.

Minis sessions take the same broad approach at a lighter level and can also include creative play and arts and crafts.

Your child isn't expected to know the material before they arrive.

The teaching team will know they're new and will help them begin taking part.

Read What Happens During a STAMP Class? for more information.

What if my child is nervous?

That's completely normal.

Some children walk into a new group and immediately want to join everything. Others need a little more time to get to know the people, the room and how everything works.

Try to keep the first visit simple.

Your child isn't going to STAMP to prove how good they are.

They're going to meet the group and experience a session.

They don't need to sing a solo, perform a dance on their own or audition for a role when they arrive.

Much of what we do involves working together as an ensemble, which gives new members opportunities to start participating as part of the group.

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

If your child is particularly worried about joining, read our Classes for Shy Children guide.

What if they don't know the song, dance or scene?

That's fine.

If your child joins while their group is already rehearsing something, established members may naturally know more of the material.

We don't expect somebody attending for the first time to know something they haven't been taught.

Songs, choreography and scenes are learned and developed through rehearsals.

Your child can begin joining in and learning alongside the rest of the group.

Making mistakes is part of rehearsing too. Nobody is expected to get everything right immediately.

What if my child has never performed before?

Previous performing experience isn't required.

Beginners are welcome in our regular weekly groups.

Your child doesn't need previous singing lessons, dance training, acting classes or stage experience before joining STAMP.

Some of our members have performed before and others are experiencing musical theatre for the first time.

Read Musical Theatre for Beginners for more information.

When you arrive

Allow enough time to find Frederick Street and arrive for the session without rushing.

Follow any arrival instructions provided when your child's place or trial is confirmed.

When you arrive, make sure the team knows your child is there and that they're attending for the first time.

If there's something important the teaching team needs to know before the session begins, please tell us rather than relying on your child to remember to pass on the information themselves.

Do parents stay during the class?

No.

Parents don't stay in the studio or wait with their child during normal STAMP sessions.

This forms part of our security and safeguarding arrangements and also gives members an opportunity to settle into their group, concentrate on the session and become comfortable participating independently.

We understand that this can feel like a bigger step when a child is attending for the first time, particularly for younger or nervous members.

If there's something that may make separating from a parent or carer particularly difficult for your child, please contact us before the session so the team is aware.

Medical, allergy, access or support information

It's important that STAMP has the information needed to support your child safely and appropriately.

Please make sure the relevant information has been provided through the registration process.

If your child has an access, medical or support need that may affect their participation and you need to discuss something with us, please contact STAMP before their first session.

You don't need to include unnecessary sensitive information in an initial general enquiry. Tell us that there's something you'd like to discuss and we can advise you on the appropriate way to provide further information.

Accessibility at STAMP Studios

STAMP Studios are on the first floor and do not currently have step-free access.

If this affects your child's ability to attend, please contact us before booking or attending so we can discuss the venue with you.

You can find more information about the building on our STAMP Studios venue page.

After the first session

When you see your child afterwards, try asking them about what they actually did.

You might ask:

• What did you enjoy?
• Did you learn a song or dance?
• What was your favourite part?
• Did you meet anyone new?
• Was there anything you found difficult?
• What do you think would feel easier next time?

Try not to judge the whole experience by whether they immediately volunteered for something, spoke to lots of people or came out declaring that they loved every second.

Some children settle immediately.

Others need a few sessions before the people, routines and surroundings start to feel familiar.

What happens next?

If your child joins STAMP, they'll become part of their regular weekly group.

The content of sessions will continue to change throughout the year as members develop their singing, dancing and acting and prepare for different productions and performances.

Parents and members are kept connected with what's happening through Spond, which STAMP uses as our main communication platform.

Spond is where families can receive updates about sessions, rehearsals and activities, see information from the teaching team, ask questions and communicate with teachers and other parents where appropriate.

This becomes particularly useful during production periods when there may be additional information about rehearsals, costumes, performances and arrangements.

Still have a question before your first session?

If there's something you're unsure about, it's better to ask before you arrive.

You can use our Contact page to get in touch.

You may also find these guides useful:

• Musical Theatre for Beginners
• Classes for Shy Children
• What Happens During a STAMP Class?
• How to Join STAMP
• Meet the STAMP Community

Most importantly, your child doesn't need to arrive already knowing how STAMP works.

That's what their first few sessions are for.