The Art Umbrella School of Performing Arts

The Art Umbrella School of Performing Arts is the premier drama school in the Sutherland Shire, providing quality tuition in stage and screen acting for children, teens and young adults since 1986. We prepare students for stage and screen work and provide authentic performance opportunities.

★ Drama School

The Art Umbrella engages students in the wonder & power of the dramatic arts in a fun and exciting environment at our dedicated, professionally equipped drama studio. The school creates opportunities for participation in the dramatic arts and equips its students with the skills needed to be strong, confident & creative actors.

★ Purpose

The Art Umbrella offers quality acting tuition in a learning environment that sees the growth of the actor and the growth of the person as one and the same. We value and nurture individuality, independent thinking and self-discovery whilst providing grounding in acting techniques that our students will carry with them into the future.

★ Program

Art Umbrella programs aim to extend and nurture each student’s innate talent by developing their confidence, creativity and skill across a range of theatrical performance. We provide quality drama tuition for students aged 6 to 18. There are weekly classes, individual one-on-one tuition and performance opportunities. We progressively take students from theory and craft skills to practice.

Our program follows the NSW DET school calendar. Classes run once a week for two hours, throughout each ten-week term. All classes are age based.

★ Cohorts

○ Junior Troupe

○ Junior Ensemble

○ Junior Company

○ Intermediate Ensemble

○ Senior Ensemble

○ Senior Company

★ Performance Opportunities

The school provides students with a range of performance opportunities, including our mid-year and end of year showcases, biennial pantomime, screen-acting courses and Studio South productions.

Our biennial pantomime is an extension class that is available to students already enrolled in a weekly class. The pantomime is our flagship production, culminating in a three-day theatrical run, involving full production elements at a local theatre during the school holidays. Students have the opportunity to further their skill set in acting, movement and song whilst collaborating with other students of all ages from within the school.

Our screen-acting courses, led by industry professionals, are offered throughout the year. Using state-of-the-art equipment and script, the course aims to replicate a real-life film rehearsal room, where actors get to perform on camera with the guidance of the director. Students will have the opportunity to perform on screen, develop confidence in front of the camera and strengthen their understanding of TV & film acting.

Studio South is our young adult’s theatre company founded by James McCuaig in 2017. The two-pronged goal of Studio South is to provide challenging performance opportunities for older teens through the public performance of thought-provoking contemporary theatre.

Accepts NSW Creative Kids Vouchers