Welcome to
Basingstoke Stage School

Inspiring young performers since 1980, Basingstoke Stage School welcomes children aged 6–17 to discover the magic of drama, dance, and music in a friendly, inclusive space. Whether for fun, confidence or a future career, everyone gets a role in our three shows a year.

Join us at Central Studio, Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke
on Saturday mornings from 10:00am to 12:00pm.

About Us

Established in 1980, Basingstoke Stage School is an independent, vibrant, and inclusive place where young people aged 6–17 of all experience levels and backgrounds can embrace the magic of performing.

Whether your child wants to:

•    Perform just for fun
•    Build confidence and social skills
•    Make friends
•    Pursue a career in the performing arts
... there’s a place for them here!

Our Ethos

We believe performing arts should be fun, inspiring, and confidence-building for everyone. Our leaders have a wide range of experience in drama, dance, music, teaching and performance and a shared passion for passing on their skills to the next generation. Many of our team are proud former members themselves!

Our sessions are fast-paced, friendly, and full of energy. Even when rehearsing for a show, we make sure every session has an objective; whether it’s learning to project your voice, master improvisation, or act through song. We also focus on teamwork, acceptance, and mutual support, building friendships that often last long after our students leave.

We run two groups, Juniors and Youth Theatre, who work both independently and collaboratively. We’ve found that bringing them together encourages shared learning, with younger and older students inspiring each other through their differing knowledge and experiences.

Juniors (School Years 1 - 7)

For our younger Junior members, we explore techniques in a way that is fun and easy to implement in their performances, focusing on core skills like voice projection, movement and storytelling.

We ensure rehearsals are manageable and age-appropriate while still offering exciting opportunities to perform on stage.

Youth Theatre (Year 7 – 6th Form)

In Youth Theatre, we build on foundational skills while introducing more advanced techniques and themes. With a mix of experience levels, we adapt rehearsals to suit everyone.

Shows for this group often involve more complex material and faster-paced rehearsals, helping members develop versatility and stage confidence.

Performances

We produce three shows a year, ranging from pantomimes and musicals to plays and revues. Every member performs on stage, whether in a lead role or as part of the ensemble.

Performances take place in the main auditorium at Central Studio and are always the highlight of our term; a celebration of creativity and hard work, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Why Choose Basingstoke Stage School?

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We're Independent

We're local and privately owned, not a franchisee of a national chain. We've been established in Basingstoke for over 45 years.

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Try Us Out

New members pay only £12 for their first session. Pay for the remaining term only if you decide to join us after your first day.

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3 Shows a Year

We produce three shows a year; one themed revue and two main productions, typically musicals, plays or pantomimes.
Everyone gets a role.

Testimonials

What our members and their parents say about their experience at Basingstoke Stage School.

"My daughter has been going to Basingstoke Stage School for over 7 years now and she absolutely loves it. Her confidence has grown so much and she's learnt lots about acting. She's made some really lovely friends there and the staff are just fantastic - so supportive and encouraging, Basingstoke Stage School is the highlight of her week. It's been such a brilliant experience for her.
Thank you Colin for such a lovely stage school. It's wonderful!"

"Our two girls have loved their time at Basingstoke Stage School. The team are supportive and inclusive, helping our girls to develop their confidence and love of performing. The shows are well organised and varied and have given them such a range of roles, from panto to Shakespeare to their own revue pieces. We can't thank the leaders enough for all their support over the years."

A Message from Our Principal

“I’m incredibly proud of the welcoming, encouraging environment we’ve created at Basingstoke Stage School. For over four decades, we’ve seen hundreds of young people grow in skill and confidence, make lasting friendships and create memories they’ll treasure for life. Whether your child is a born performer or just looking to try something new, they’ll find a home here.”

Colin Flaherty A.L.A.M., L.L.A.M.

Join Basingstoke Stage School!

Drama. Friendship. Confidence.
Our weekly sessions are full of energy, creativity, and fun.
Come and see what it’s all about!