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 Modern: Grade 1 – Advanced 2
ISTD Tap: Primary – Advanced 2
Free Jazz
Body Conditioning & Limber
LAMDA DramaClasses are scheduled after school and on SaturdaysGiving 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 caliber.

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.

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.


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

 

Join The Central School of Dance and start dancing!