Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts Plymouth
BEST FOR
Ages 4-18
WHERE
Plymouth
What it’s like
Weekly singing, dancing and acting classes in Plymouth for kids aged 4 to 18, split by age group.
This is a weekly performing arts academy rather than a one-off show, so think regular Friday or Saturday sessions rather than a day trip. Younger ones aged 4 to 6 go into Poppets, a shorter class of singing, dancing and acting. From age 6 up, kids join the Main Academy and choose between Musical Theatre, Comedy & Drama, or Film & Television, with classes covering everything from scriptwriting and improvisation to storyboarding and filming.
Main Academy groups are split by age and colour coded, so a six-year-old isn't mixed in with a sixteen-year-old. Green Group covers 6 to 9, Blue Group 10 to 12, and Red Group 13 to 18. There's no audition to get in, which takes the pressure off, and every academy offers one free trial session before you commit to anything.
The commitment is the bit to think about. Membership is monthly by direct debit, with a minimum of two months and four weeks notice to leave, so it is not something you can just try for a fortnight and quit. Poppets runs £47 a month, Main Academy is £94, and siblings in Main Academy get 25% off, which brings it down to £70.50. Terms run for 39 weeks across the academic year, and most academies add extra workshops in the holidays.
Where classes really pay off is the showcases. Each term works towards a performance, sometimes at a local theatre or cinema, sometimes in the academy's own performance space, and that end-of-term show is what a lot of the singing and rehearsing has been building towards.
Need to know
- Best for
- 4 to 18, with Poppets for the younger end and Main Academy from 6 up
- Booking
- Free trial session available. Book online
- Worth knowing
- 25% sibling discount on Main Academy fees
- No audition needed to join, so nervous first-timers aren't put on the spot
- Tax-free childcare vouchers aren't accepted, direct debit only
- Half-term and summer workshops run on top of the usual term-time classes
- Cancelling needs four weeks notice after the two-month minimum
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Poppets for 4 to 6 year olds is £47 a month. Main Academy for 6 to 18 year olds is £94 a month, or £70.50 if you're enrolling a sibling.
Do we need to book?
You book a free trial session online first, subject to space in the age group. If it's full you go on a waiting list until a spot opens up.
Does my child need experience to join?
No, there's no audition and no prior experience needed. Everyone starts at the same point regardless of talent or background.
What ages go together?
Poppets is 4 to 6. In Main Academy, Green Group is 6 to 9, Blue Group is 10 to 12, and Red Group is 13 to 18.
Is there a minimum sign-up period?
Membership runs monthly by direct debit with a minimum of two months, and you need to give four weeks notice to cancel.
How often do the kids perform?
Each term builds towards a showcase, staged at a local theatre, cinema or in the academy's own performance space.
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