Do you have a kiddo who loves to put on shows?
Perhaps they’re very confident at home but more reserved in front of others?
Most kids are natural performers when they’re feeling safe and confident. And what’s the best way to create safety and confidence? Through play! Play is not just what kids do, it’s how they learn.
Structured play in the form of holiday drama workshops can help your child build confidence, develop communication skills and express their creativity.
Regular holiday drama classes can help kids build on skills over time, without the commitment of a weekly class.
How to find the perfect workshop
Speak Up offers a range of programs specifically tailored around developmental, social and creative needs of our students.
It can be a bit tricky to wrap your head around, so to simplify things we’ve created a little theatre metaphor that helps illustrate our program progression.
If you have any questions, drop us an email or give us a call on 07 3367 8572 and we’ll be able to place you in the perfect class!
Play In A Day Program
A drama workshop inspired by whatever we’re into right now!
Create a play from scratch while developing performing skills and keeping off those devices these holidays!
At Play In A Day, you’ll find kids who are bursting with creativity, teachers who can whip up a script in a few minutes and costumes that tie it all together beautifully!
Junior (grade 3 – 6) | $99
A Play In A Day workshops run from 9am – 3.30pm. Bring a packed lunch!
Born to Perform Program
Born to Perform students experience the thrill of putting on a production from start to finish, in just one week. From auditions and casting, to rehearsing, character and skill development (like singing, mime and movement), learning lines, and performing, Born to Perform workshops are filled with energy, focus and passion as students work together to put a show on stage in record time in our plays and musical theatre workshops.
If your child talks about wanting to be an actor, if they wish they could perform on stage more often, or if they look forward to speech and drama each week and want to do more, then this is the workshop for them.
Mini Born to Perform (grade 1 – 6) | 9am – 3:30pm over 3 days | $385
Full Born to Perform (grade 3 – 6) | 9am – 3:30pm over 5 days | $660
Senior Born to Perform (grade 7 – 12) | 9am – 3:30pm over 5 days | $660
Upcoming One Day Workshops
Monday 16th December
Prep - grade 2
Monday 16th December
Grades 3 - 6
Monday 20th January
Grade 3 - 6
Tuesday 21st January
Grade 3 - 6My daughter and her friend have done at least one workshop together every school holidays for the past couple of years. They just love it. Especially the musical ones.
– Catherine K, Mum
Why kids come back again and again
Make Friends
Learn A New Skill
Express Themselves
Get Crafty
Dress Up
It was great giving my child an opportunity to do something new, that is hard to find time to do in term time. I really liked the musical theatre combo – it really stretches and inspires.
– Dana Paterson
Our December Mini Born To Perform is about a grumpy, mean Grinch with a loathing for Christmas. And he has set his sights on ruining the holidays for all the residents of Who-ville by stealing Christmas itself!
Sherwood & Red Hill: 11th - 13th December
Spring Hill: 18th - 20th December
($385)
Stink Stank Stunk
11th - 13th & 18th - 20th December
This January, come ‘be our guest’ in our next 5-day Born to Perform! We’ll learn why ‘it is what’s on the inside that counts’, with an alternative twist ending!
Grades 3 - 7
Spring Hill Studio ($660)
Be Our Guest
13th - 17th January
Imagine Oz with no Dorothy, who would save the day? In our January Mini Born to Perform, the Munchkins become the heroes, as they set out to save Oz from the Wicked Witch of the West.
Grades 1 to 6
Red Hill, Spring Hill & Sherwood ($385)
The Munchkins of Oz
22nd - 24th January
Our next Senior Born to Perform is so fetch! Join Cady as she leaves one jungle for another... High School .
Taken in by the school’s queen bee, Regina George, does Cady have what it takes to be a plastic?
Grades 7 - 12
Spring Hill ($660)
On Wednesdays We Wear Pink
20th - 24th January
Our April Mini Born to Perform is the all about the mischievous genius in ‘Mini Matilda’ as she takes on the nasty Mrs Trunchbull and proves that ``little is mighty``!
Grades 1 - 6
Red Hill, Spring Hill and Sherwood ($385)
Mini Matilda
9th - 11th April
In our July Born to Perform, follow orphaned James as he makes new friends (who just happen to be insects!) upon a magical giant peach!
Grades 3 - 7
Red Hill, Spring Hill & Sherwood ($660)
Just Peachy
7th - 11th JulyBoth the kids were on cloud nine all evening and night! They appeared to make some lovely friendships with fellow cast members. They all supported each other so nicely. They also both really enjoyed the mixture of acting, singing and choreography that it provided. It must have been a huge task for you and the team, so thanks again for all your hard work. The kids seem to understand how much effort you all put in.
– Matt S. Dad
A Production That’s About The Kids
There are plenty of kids theatre programs out there. Most license a Disney show and hold auditions, and rehearse the old fashioned way. We’ve been there and done that and sure, while the show might be stunning, the process of creating and rehearsing the show is anything but.
Auditions can feel ruthless. Waiting for others to rehearse is dull. And the same kids are always the stars.
Like everything at Speak Up, we’ve taken the process of staging a play or a musical and asked:
“How can we make this more inclusive and more joyful for all our performers?”
And that’s how Born to Perform, was, well born.
Inclusive Casting
Clever Scripts
Entertaining Rehearsals
Dazzling Costumes
Everyone Shines
Unpack the script, workshop the characters, rehearse key scenes, learn songs, then and craft a performance inspired by what you learn.
Wicked
Wednesday 18th - Friday 20th September
Unpack the script, workshop the characters, rehearse key scenes, learn songs, then and craft a performance inspired by what you learn.
2025
TBC
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’d like to chat with us about your child or would like a specific recommendation, please give the studio a call on 07 3367 8562.
How much does Born To Perform cost?
Little Experts workshops run for six and a half hours and are $88 each.
Play in a Day workshops run for six and a half hours and cost $99 each.
Three day workshops are $385 each.
Five day workshops are $660
All bookings can be made via the parent portal. Credit Card payment is required at time of booking.
Where are Born to Perform workshops held?
Little Experts workshops and A Play in a Day are held at 110 Windsor Road, Red Hill AND 2/641 Sherwood Road, Sherwood. The same timetable runs at both studios. High school workshops usually run at 9 St Pauls Terrace, Spring Hill.
Born to Perform workshops are held at our various studios, depending on the time of year, with Friday rehearsal and performance venue to be advised.
Is before and after care available?
Yes! Supervision is available between 8am – 9am and 3.30pm – 5pm ($10 for the day). Book online via the parent portal. We have quiet activities, colouring, board games and sometimes a movie in the afternoon.
What to bring and wear?
Students should wear comfortable clothes. Dressing up is encouraged! Please send your child with snacks and a water bottle so we can ensure they stay hydrated throughout the day.
For Born to Perform workshops students should wear drama blacks (black pants & black t-shirt) to all rehearsals and the performance evening. Please send your child with morning and afternoon tea, lunch and a water bottle.
What's the deal with food?
Supervised snack breaks are held at 10.30am, 12pm and 2.00pm. Please send your child along with plenty of healthy food for the day. We would appreciate if you could avoid packing nuts. Our lovely neighbour, Gramps (at Red Hill) offers a tuck shop style menu which you can order on the day!
Can parents stay and watch?
We prefer if parents do not stay to watch the workshops as your presence can be a little distracting for our students and teachers. We would love to welcome you to watch the performance at the end of certain workshops, and we promise to share lots of photos and videos at the end of the week. Thanks for understanding.