Don Rae Academy provides regular dance and drama classes for children and young people who enjoy performing, creating and learning new skills.
Our academy programme brings together dance, drama and performance in structured sessions designed to help children develop practical abilities while enjoying being part of a creative group.
Dance and drama provide different ways for children to express themselves.
Dance introduces movement, rhythm, choreography and musicality. Drama develops acting, storytelling, characterisation and communication.
By bringing these areas together, our academy programme provides children with a varied performing arts experience.
Classes are practical and participation-focused. Children have opportunities to learn, practise and perform rather than simply observe.
Academy sessions can include a mixture of dance, drama and performance activities.
Depending on the programme and age group, children may:
Regular classes provide continuity, allowing children to become familiar with the learning environment and build their skills progressively.
Dance and drama can help children develop a wide range of practical skills.
The emphasis is on learning through participation and practise.
Performance is a key part of the academy experience.
Children work towards an end-of-term performance, giving them a practical goal to work towards during their classes.
This gives children an opportunity to experience the creative process from learning through to performance.
The academy team includes professional performers and teachers with training backgrounds including ArtsEd, Doreen Bird and the Central School of Speech and Drama.
This experience supports the practical and performance-focused approach used across the academy.
Don Rae Academy was founded by Don Rae, who studied Musical Theatre at The BRIT School and graduated from Roehampton University with a BA Hons degree in Drama and Theatre Studies.
academy locations
years running
wide delivery
Children do not all enjoy the same part of performing arts.



The wider academy programme includes specialist opportunities such as street dance and teen drama, allowing children and young people to explore different areas as their interests develop.
Regular classes give children time to practise and improve.
Children can become more familiar with movement, performance techniques and working with others while building their confidence through regular participation.
Don Rae Academy operates scheduled academy sessions at selected locations.
Current timetable information includes Putney, Battersea, Roehampton, Surbiton and Windsor, with sessions running on specific days and times.
As availability can change, families should check the latest timetable before enrolment.
Spaces are capped so every child gets time on stage. Waiting lists move quickly each half term.
Come along, join in, meet the group. No payment and no commitment.
Dance, drama and singing taught by DBS-cleared specialists, paid by the term.
Every child is cast and performs. Recent shows include The Addams Family, Elf The Musical and Madagascar Live!
Students who want professional work can be put forward through our children's acting agency.
Join Don Rae Academy
Our academies provide a structured environment where children can learn dance, explore drama and develop performance skills.
Explore the current academy timetable and contact Don Rae Academy to enquire about classes and enrolment.
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