LMA Stage School

In all people lurks the desire to perform, be it in an office job, in a football team, on a hospital ward or in a karaoke bar. The "Lights, Music, Action!" tutors are dedicated to bringing out the best in all who have a passion for the Performing Arts, encouraging performers from the very timid to the highly ambitious to find their niche. Our teaching methods are fun and innovative, with the ability to put together high-quality polished performances – sometimes in an unbelievably short preparation time. Training for the stage is a tremendous vehicle for acquiring life-skills: creative, well-disciplined, confident youngsters are inclined to turn into sensitive, hard-working adults. Adults find opportunity to escape from the daily grind and to discover confidence in self-expression within a fun and sympathetic environment.

How it all started. In 1996 the first week-long "Lights, Music, Action!" Summer School took place and proved to be so popular we've never looked back. This course has since expanded to offer Students and Adults the chance to study the many areas of performing arts, including: Acting, Singing, Dancing, Instrumental and Technical.
The progression to a weekly event was by popular request, and includes many opportunities for students and adults alike.

Who is it for? Although initially conceived with the younger student in mind, there are classes designed for those in their late teens and adults of all ages... check out the Musical Theatre/Cabaret classes, LMA Stage Band and dance classes. There is no audition to become an LMA student, nor do singers need to read music: The only requirements are enthusiasm and dedication. Age 5 to 105.

Location: All student classes take place on Saturdays at King Edward VI Upper School, Bury St. Edmunds, and 2 minutes off the A14. It is highly accessible with on site parking. The School has its own Performing Arts Centre, comprising an auditorium, two sizeable rehearsal halls, practice rooms and a Drama Studio. The venue is perfect for both in-house and public performances. Further Adult classes happen at Cavendish Hall, Thurston (just outside Bury) on Friday evenings. "Fish and Bell Studios" are located nearby for extra- curricular recording sessions. Students are showcased regularly at local and national venues including the Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds.
LMA Stage School is privileged to have the use of King Edward VI Upper School; we gratefully acknowledge the support of the Headmaster Geoff Barton, and of the Performing Arts faculty.

Learning and Performing Opportunities are the focal point for all LMA students. As a Performing Arts establishment, we offer every possible opportunity to our students to practise what they are taught, and to give and derive enjoyment from live performance.
The majority of classes will take a maximum of around 25 students. We believe in healthy competition - students can, if they wish, enter local, regional and national festivals, competitions and talent shows. They are encouraged to attend auditions, and to take part in concerts, recitals and productions both internally and publicly. Each year there are performances of straight plays, radio projects, full-scale musicals and public show-cases: participation in these is open to all LMA students by audition or invitation.
The "Lights, Music, Action!" Stage School already has extensive contacts not just throughout East Anglia, but also nationally and internationally. Cabarets, music halls, after-supper entertainment, murder mystery suppers, fetes and carnivals constitute regular performing events across the region. Large-scale productions and concerts have taken place at regional theatres in Bury St. Edmunds, Cambridge, Newmarket and East London, Snape Maltings, the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall and Royal Albert Hall, and the London Palladium. With LMA’s own recording facilities, opportunities are available for making anything from demo tracks to full-scale live recordings. Equipment is available for the study of microphone technique, or running a PA system (for the more adventurous!!) All students are encouraged to join the production team for a show at some stage during the year: skills of stage management, lighting design / operation, set-design, costume and make-up styling all become real"hands-on” skills.

Why are we different? We realise that students have very varied requirements when they go into Performing Arts. Some are looking for a Saturday hobby; some want to go into the profession; some aren’t sure where their strengths lie but simply feel a burning desire to appear on stage. Rather than following the traditional Stage School methods in which all students take singing, dance and drama classes, our timetable is structured so that students can try different aspects according to their real wishes. Some singers may want to specialise in Musical Theatre – or Pop, but perhaps not to study both. Your interest may lie in learning to sing harmonies or to"front-line" in a girl / boy-band, so you may not wish to study drama – and ballet may not be suitable choreography for your needs! On the other hand you may love comedy acting but wouldn’t be seen dead singing or dancing in public. However, those who wish to go on to Further Education in the Performing Arts can take a broader attitude to their studies.

Interested? Want to know more? Please contact LMA for more information or to request a brochure or choose from the following .pdf files to download and peruse at your leisure :
LMA Stage School Brochure
LMA Stage School Fees 2012
LMA Stage School TimeTable 2012
LMA Stage School Application Form