Tunbridge Wells Associates
Phone contact: 01892 529112
Associatestunbridgewells@Italiaconti.Co.Uk
To apply today, please fill in this application form and return it to us.
Italia Conti Tunbridge Wells is an associate school of the Italia Conti academy in Woking Surrey, which is the longest running performing arts establishment in the world, opening their doors to thousands of successful pupils since 1911.
Our courses have been tried and tested, with many pupils eventually progressing to join the full time academy and other leading performing arts institutes in the UK, becoming accomplished professionals we see on stage and screen today.
Classes are held from 9am until 6pm on Saturdays, during term-time at Skinners School in St Johns Road, Tunbridge Wells. Our ‘term-time’ is normally ten weeks and runs parallel with standard school terms, incorporating half-terms and holidays.
Our school provides a variable choice of subjects including Modern, Tap and Ballet in ISTD exam syllabus, Musical Theatre, Jazz and Hip Hop. For Drama, we offer LAMDA classes of which pupils can progress through taking their examinations in acting gaining the all important UCAS points.
Alternatively, pupils can participate in free-work acting classes, which includes improvisation, script work and character analysis. Our singing classes are in groups, which help to work as a unit and harmonise within their vocal range.
The criteria for singing class is usually musical theatre, pop, contemporary and sometimes we offer an ‘open mic’ session amongst our pupils.
ENROLL NOW
Free trial classes (at no obligation) are available at the start of every term.
Chris is an experienced international choreographer and director adept at working across theatre, television, film and corporate shows.
His achievements as a choreographer build on his earlier success as one of the most in-demand dancers of his generation since his West End stage debut at the age of 11 in Gypsy starring Angela Lansbury.
He performed worldwide on stage and television, working alongside stars such as Gene Kelly, Tom Jones, Sarah Brightman, Shirley Bassey, Elaine Paige, and Barry Manilow to name a few.
Chris choreographed the Ant & Dec Takeaway on Tour working alongside the award-winning double act and choreographed for Pussycat Doll – Ashley Roberts. He also directed X Factor finalists Stereo Kicks for their premiere showcase in London.
Within video, Chris was hired by Sarah Brightman to choreograph and stage ten videos in ten days for her Harem DVD collection, filmed in Morocco. He worked with comedian John Bishop filming a Saturday Night Fever video and routine for his surprise Saturday Night Fever finale on the Sunshine Arena Tour.
Chris was the resident director on the hit musical Starlight Express and staged the show’s contribution for Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 50th birthday at the Royal Albert Hall. He also choreographed a brand new production of Saturday Night Fever in The Netherlands and in Milan, Italy.
Chris has a successful reputation within street dance. He co-directed the UK company of Bounce and he is currently the Artistic Director of the street dance show Blaze, working with the best dancers, breakers and choreographers from around the world. The show opened in London’s West End in 2010 before a successful and ongoing world tour that has so far taken the show to the UK, Holland, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Asia, Bahrain Dubai, and Australia.
Chris most recently choreographed ITV’s Tonight at the Palladium working alongside Bradley Walsh and Barry Manilow.
Students are encouraged to develop physical and vocal skills in imaginative ways through games, improvisation and by interacting with others students in group classes. Characterisation, including script work, and improvisation. Improvisation encourages creativity, and works on the development of the imagination. It encourages team building, self-confidence and discipline. Through fun games, and exercises you will be challenged and encouraged to develop characters, and build scenes, bringing depth and believability to each and every performance.
Ballet technique is the basis of all dance forms. It takes time, effort and dedication to execute the classroom step to any given style, to make it natural, make it seamlessly connected, so that it is true and honest when performed.
We teach the ISTD syllabus from pre-primary through to Grade 2 and Level 3 to Inter-foundation to all suitable candidates depending on their abilities and our 100% pass rate reflects our commitment and dedication to our students.
We advise students who are of Grade 2 standard and above that they take at least two ballet classes a week. We also offer an optional pointe class to students Level 5 and above.
Since we started these extra classes in 2013, students who have attended these classes have shown a remarkable improvement and this has been reflected in their exam results.
4.30 – 5.15pm Grade 2 & Level 3 Ballet Technique (£70 per term) 5.15 – 6.00pm Level 4 & 5 Ballet Technique (£70 per term) 6.00 – 6.30pm Pre-Point / Beginner Pointe (£59 per term) 6.30 – 7.15pm Limber & Conditioning (£70 per term) 7.15 – 8.15pm Level 5,6 & Intermediate Ballet Technique (£90 per term) 8.15 – 8.45pm Intermediate Pointe (£59 per term)
Please see our timetable below:
The perfect package for pre-schoolers…
• Pre-Primary Ballet • Pre-Primary Tap • Pre-Primary Musical Theatre
The fun way to give your child a head start:
• Boosts confidence • Improves co-ordination • Shown to help learning
For 3 – 5 year-olds
Our Saturday timetable is structured in such a way that parents wanting their children to get an early start in Performing Arts can take advantage of our First Steps Courses which takes place from 9am – 10.30 on Saturday mornings during term time.
A chance for students of all dancing abilities to learn the latest Hip Hop styles taught by seasoned professionals. This genre of dance requires strength, agility and acrobatic skills, all of which students achieve through innovative coaching. Students are taught Freestyle, B-boying, House, Popping and Locking. Guest teachers from Methods of Movement (Got To Dance finalists) visit our school to teach Breaking on a regular basis.
Jazz has many genres’ such as Fosse-style, Commercial, Lyrical, and Street dancing has changed today’s outlook fast becoming the new commercial style popular amongst our students who can now experience all these styles and challenges within our classes.
Students benefit from working on scripts from selected plays leading up to performances and examinations. These classes give students opportunities to work as solo performers, developing physical and vocal skills together with acting techniques.
PURPOSE OF THE QUALIFICATION LAMDA Graded Examinations in Performance: Acting are designed to develop the skills necessary to communicate dramatic text to an audience.
Learners who prepare themselves appropriately will develop: 1 Interpretative skills 2 Technical skills 3 Knowledge of the performance process.
BROAD OBJECTIVES OF THE QUALIFICATIONS
1 INTERPRETATIVE SKILLS The learner(s) will be required to:
explore style, form, character, subtext and context in order to realise the specific demands of the text
engage with character and situation in order to create a sense of reality.
2 TECHNICAL SKILLS The learner(s) will be required to:
Develop skills in voice, diction and movement.
3 KNOWLEDGE OF THE PERFORMANCE PROCESS The learner(s) will be required to:
Know and understand the chosen selections
know and understand the key principles and influences in the process of acting for one of the following practitioners: Constantin Tanislavski, Bertolt Brecht or Jerzy Grotowski (Grade 8 only).
Modern is designed to give the dancer style. Focussing on core strength, posture and technique. Following the ISTD syllabus, we offer structured examinations classes from Grade 1 to Advanced 2 and our 100% pass rate reflects our commitment and dedication to our students.
Passion for performance! Skills for life!
The Performing Arts Course is aimed at 13-17 year olds who have a particular interest in peforming. The course takes place from 9.00am-6.00pm one day a week during term time. To ensure a future development and a secure foundation, it is essential that Individual skills at the highest level in vocal and physical expressiveness are developed.
It’s a fantastic foundation, giving a thorough grounding in technique and performance. With regular input from professionals, we help you optimise your chances professionally. Many of our pupils progress to Performing Arts Colleges and beyond.
As the course progresses, more and more advanced levels are introduced. New and exciting subjects may often be attempted and students are encouraged to experiment and stretch themselves. Professional Actors and Directors are asked in for lectures and students are given the chance to ask questions.
Each student taking the course has a timetable tailor-made to suit their individual ability and ambitions. The cost of the course enables students to take more subjects at a discounted price.
Advice for the future is always available.
Italia Conti has a reputation for producing excellent singers. In our classes a wide repertoire of musical theatre and pop is covered. Pupils are given opportunities to study every genre and develop their solo skills as well as learning how to harmonise in groups. The importance of correct breathing and vocal technique is considered a vital part of class work.
3 to 18 yrs
Associate School Address:
Skinners School St Johns Road Tunbridge Wells Kent TN4 9PG
Postal Address:
1 Longmeads Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 0AT
No audition is required for our classes as we wish to encourage participation in the arts for all abilities. We offer a free trial session before you commit to enrolling. This can be arranged by emailing
AssociatesTunbridgeWells@Italiaconti.co.uk
At Italia Conti Associates Tunbridge Wells we operate a strict uniform code. This is not just a rule, we believe it is an integral part of a disciplined ‘performing arts’ education. We insist on ‘good-grooming’ and help is always on hand at Reception if you are unsure as to how to achieve the required results.
The uniform is available from Dancing Boutique in Tunbridge Wells and help and advice is always on hand from shop staff.
The safety and wellbeing of our students is of paramount importance at Italia Conti Associates.
Our students are taught and cared for by experienced, trained, DBS checked staff. A minimum of two trained First Aiders are always present.
We recommend students bring plenty of water and snacks with them to sessions.
Many of our students progress onto our full-time, professional training courses.
The Associate classes and courses are the perfect stepping stone for this.
CLASSES
½ Hour class £59.00 per term (pre – primaries only) 45 Minute Class £70.00 per term 1 hour Class £90.00 per term
COURSES
Performing Arts Course £540.00 per term First Steps Course (pre-primary 3-5 years) £141.60 per term (with 20% discount)
For Mid-week ballet class fees, see Ballet section.
Paid where applicable
Spring Term 2024
06 January – 03 February February 10 & 17 – Half Term 24 February – 23 March
Summer Term 2024
21 April – 18 May 25 May & 01 June – Half Term 08 June – 06 July
Midweek Ballet Spring Term 2024
10 January – 07 February 14 February – Half Term 21 February – 20 March
Midweek Ballet Summer Term 2024
24 April – 22 May 29 May – Half Term 05 June – 03 July