CENTRAL SCHOOL of DANCE & DRAMA


The Central School of Dance & Drama was founded in 1987 and is situated in the centre of Brentwood, Essex.

The school offers a wide variety of subjects in the field of dance and drama.
Each class is taken by a registered teacher.
Our studios are spacious with wood sprung floors.

We endeavour to train students to a high standard, so if suitable, have the qualifications to continue on to vocational training with the aim of making dance a career.
 

Classes Available:
RAD Ballet : Pre-Primary - Advanced 2
ISTD Ballet Intermediate - Advanced 2
ISTD Modern: Primary - Advanced 2
ISTD Tap:Primary - Advanced 2
Free Jazz
Body Conditioning & Limber
LAMDA Drama

Classes are scheduled after school and on Saturdays

Giving students every opportunity to reach their goals

BALLET

R.A.D.
The Royal Academy of Dance (founded 1936) is an internationally recognised examining board of the highest calibre.

Classical training retains its major importance in providing a gradual technical progression throughout its grades.

Character work is so important for the development of strength, rhythm and style.

Free Movement gives an opportunity for children to develop their natural sense of movement outside the confines of ballet technique.
These three elements make up the structure of each class.

Although not a compulsory subject, we strongly recommend that students studying Modern & Jazz take Ballet lessons to enhance their posture and gain strength of technique, which is crucial in the higher grades.

At major level students are also offered the I.S.T.D syllabus.
The roots of Imperial Classical Ballet stem from the early days of the ISTD and the first written syllabus in 1913 which was based on the teaching of the French School from the Paris Opera. The syllabus has now evolved to promote the English classical style and address the changing needs of Ballet dancers today.
 

MODERN

I.S.T.D The Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (founded 1904) has complied a syllabus that from a young age children will be taught posture, rhythm, limbering and co-ordination work thus encouraging strength and style through the various grades.

Modern Theatre dance is a rhythmic dance style which originated in America before travelling to the rest of the world. It is often seen on the stages of musical productions and is known for its theatrical qualities. The style uses travelling steps, high kicks, leaps and turns which all need strength and flexibility. This is a highly energetic dance style.

Many pupils find this form of dance enhances their ballet training, giving them a wide range of techniques.

Modern is also the basis of all future Jazz work, which the students may progress on to.
 

TAP

I.S.T.D

This has evolved as an American dance form, popularised throughout the world, with debate about its origins coming from African dance, Irish dance and/or clog dancing. The dancer uses their feet to strike the floor, beating out different rhythms, with dancers wearing tap shoes which have small metal plates on the toe and heel to give the distinctive sound. Tap dance is a theatrical art form often seen on stage in musicals Tap dancing has always held a fascination for children.

The I.S.T.D. has produced a well-structured syllabus of grades, which teach children the importance of rhythm and ease of ankle movement thus helping them to perform the intricate steps required at higher levels.
 

JAZZ

Free jazz classes include a warm-up and limber, which is followed by quick thinking combinations of steps. The class also gives students the opportunity to contribute to the lesson by experimenting and developing their own choreographic skills.

Students may attend Jazz classes from the age of ten.
 

PRE-SCHOOL CLASSES

The Central School Of Dance & Drama aim to introduce children to dance, with an emphasis on the joy of movement, encouraging and fostering the love of dance to make it fun for children to learn. We have specially structured classes from two years old. Gradually progressing as they grow. See the 'Little Legs' booklet
 

DRAMA

L.A.M.D.A Drama classes are also available for interested students.
 

PERFORMANCES

The Central School of Dance & Drama stage a bi-annual production at a profession theatre giving students the excitement and thrill of the stage.
 

INNOVATIONS DANCE COMPANY

'IDC' is our dance company, founded In 2001 It offers the unique opportunity for selected dancers to experience performance at a professional level and includes studying repertoire from major dance companies. IDC is enormously rewarding for those wishing to pursue a career in performance. The dancers rehearse every Saturday afternoon with productions on a regular basis. At venues such as The Playhouse Harlow and The Queens Theatre,Hornchurch.

REPERTOIRE

  • Rites
  • A Simple Man
  • Cinders takes Centre Stage
  • Peter and the Wolf
  • Still Life at the Penguin Cafe
  • The WIZard of Oz

plus excerpts from

  • Onegin
  • Galanteries
  • Fosse
  • Ballet for Life
  • Cabaret
  • together with lots more

Please help support this non- profit making innovative young company.