ATG Inspire at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre: Drama Classes & Opportunities for Kids

2026-04-27T14:30:29Z

If your child has ever dreamed of stepping onto a stage, now’s a brilliant time to get them started. There’s something new happening at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre—and it’s designed to open doors for young creatives of all ages and abilities.

A fresh chapter for young performers

The theatre’s creative learning programme has relaunched as ATG Inspire, continuing its commitment to cultural education and community engagement. The programme focuses on offering inspiring activities and meaningful experiences that help people develop skills, confidence and creativity—both within the arts and beyond.

Starting young: storytelling and creativity

For little ones aged 2–4, Story Time Adventure is a lovely introduction to theatre. These interactive sessions (running on 5 May, 9 June and 7 July) combine storytelling, crafts and games, giving children the chance to explore imaginative worlds alongside a parent or guardian in a safe, welcoming environment.

Building skills and confidence (ages 7–11)

For primary-aged children, the theatre’s weekly Academy sessions (running during term time until 24 June) offer a structured but fun way to develop drama skills. Children explore improvisation, devising, script work and creative activities—no prior experience required.

There are also summer masterclasses designed for ages 7–11:

• From Page to Stage (8 July): explore how to adapt a favourite book or character for performance using movement and vocal techniques
• Screen Acting Skills (15 July): learn the fundamentals of acting for camera and how it differs from stage performance

Inclusive opportunities for teens (ages 12–18)

A standout addition is Our Stage, a new inclusive drama project for young people aged 12–18, particularly those with disabilities, neurodivergence or additional needs. Delivered in partnership with Herts Inclusive Theatre, the project runs from 24–27 August and ends with a celebratory showcase.

A free taster session takes place on 27 May, offering a great opportunity to try it out before committing.

More than just performance

ATG Inspire isn’t just about acting—it’s about building confidence, creativity and communication skills, while also opening up pathways into the wider world of theatre and production.

The programme has already seen strong engagement through its Academy and Work in Theatre courses, with participants demonstrating clear creativity and personal growth.

Something for the whole community

While this guide focuses on young people, it’s worth noting the programme also includes Waterside Singers, a weekly informal singing session for over-60s led by Chiltern Music Therapy, highlighting the theatre’s wider commitment to community wellbeing.

If you’re looking for a supportive, engaging way to introduce your child to theatre, ATG Inspire offers a range of accessible entry points. Whether they want to tell stories, build confidence, or take their first steps towards the stage, there’s something here to spark their interest.

Learn more at: www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury