Finding the Feeling: Acting Through Song in Junior Musical Theatre
This term, our Junior Musical Theatre students have been diving into one of the most exciting parts of performing: acting through song!
Singing is more than just hitting the right notes, it's about telling a story. Whether you're singing about a big dream, a broken heart, or the best day ever, the emotion behind the song is what really connects with the audience.
That’s why learning to act while singing is such a big part of what we teach in our junior classes. It helps our young performers understand their character, build confidence, and bring each song to life in their own unique way.
Why Acting Through Song Matters
For young performers, learning to express emotions while singing helps with:
🎭 Character building – Who are you when you sing this song? What are you feeling?
💬 Storytelling – Every lyric has meaning. Acting helps you show it!
😃 Confidence – Getting into character can help even shy students feel brave.
💓 Connection – When performers feel the song, the audience feels it too.
We’ve seen our students grow week by week, getting bolder, braver, and more expressive with every rehearsal. And best of all? They’re having fun while they do it!
Top Tips for 7–11 Year Olds Learning to Act Through Song:
🎶 1. Know what you're singing about
Before you start singing, talk about what the lyrics mean. Who is the character? What’s happening in the song?
🎭 2. Pick an emotion
Is your character excited, nervous, proud, or sad? Choose one feeling to focus on, and show it with your face and body.
👀 3. Use your eyes
Eyes are powerful! Think about where you’re looking and what your eyes are saying, just like in acting scenes.
🧍♀️ 4. Stand like your character
Try standing or moving the way your character might. A proud character stands tall, while a shy one might look down or shuffle.
🪞 5. Practise in the mirror
Watch yourself perform in the mirror. Can you see the emotion? If not, try again with more expression!
❤️ 6. Don’t be afraid to feel silly
The best performers are the ones who take risks. It’s okay to be a little silly, that’s where the magic happens!
We’re so proud of how much our juniors are growing as storytellers through song. With each class, they’re learning that the best performances come not just from their voice, but from their heart.
Industry Insight & Inspiration: A Masterclass with Sadie Levett
Our Senior Tech Dance Advanced students had the incredible opportunity to train with Sadie Levett, a seasoned performer and inspiring guest teacher whose energy lit up the studio from the moment she walked in.
Sadie trained as a musical theatre actress at both the National Youth Theatre and the prestigious Italia Conti Academy in London. Her career has since taken her across stages both big and bold, with standout performances in Starlight Express and a tour with The Wizard of Oz
Sadie brought with her not only a wealth of professional experience but also a genuine passion for connecting with young dancers. In just one hour, she challenged our Senior Tech Dance Advanced class to learn professional, industry-standard choreography, pushing them to keep up with the pace and precision of a real-world rehearsal room. The stakes were high, but so was the energy in the room. It was clear that, while the class was demanding, the students were loving every moment.
After the whirlwind of dance, Sadie took the time to sit down with a small group of students for an open Q&A session, sharing stories about her journey to the stage, life on tour, and the realities of working in the industry. From behind-the-scenes moments to personal career milestones, her insights gave our students a real-world glimpse into the life of a performer complete with the highs, challenges, and constant learning.
The feedback from our students has been overwhelmingly positive. They left the session feeling motivated, inspired, and empowered, not only by the technical training but by Sadie’s openness and authenticity. It’s not every day that young performers get to work so closely with someone who has been there and done it on some of theatre’s most iconic stages.
We are so grateful to Sadie Levett for sharing her time, talent, and story with our dancers, and we can’t wait to welcome her back to the studio in the future!
Where Imagination Meets the Magic of Musical Theatre:
Why Musical Theatre for Early Years?
Children at this age are bursting with imagination and energy. Musical theatre gives them the perfect outlet to express themselves, explore new ideas, and grow in confidence. Here’s how participating in performing arts can benefit children in the early years:
The Benefits of Performing Arts for Children Aged 3–6
At Lovely Kate’s Little Monkeys, our Monday and Tuesday sessions are filled with music, movement, and make-believe, all designed especially for children aged 3 to 6 years old. But these aren’t just fun and games (although they are a lot of fun!). Musical theatre is a powerful tool that helps young children build key life skills in the most magical, joyful way.
Why Musical Theatre for Early Years?
Children at this age are bursting with imagination and energy. Musical theatre gives them the perfect outlet to express themselves, explore new ideas, and grow in confidence. Here’s how participating in performing arts can benefit children in the early years:
1. Boosts Language and Early Reading Skills
Through songs, scripts, and storytelling, children are exposed to rich language. Whether they're acting out a scene or singing along, they begin to understand story structure, character development, and even early literacy concepts like sequencing and phonics all while having fun.
2. Encourages Social and Emotional Development
Working together to create a scene or performance teaches cooperation, empathy, and turn-taking. Children learn to express their feelings through characters, helping them make sense of their own emotions and develop a sense of identity and confidence.
3. Enhances Imagination and Creativity
Every week, our Little Monkeys dream up scenarios, step into different roles, and bring their ideas to life. This kind of imaginative play is essential for cognitive development and problem-solving, and it nurtures a love of learning.
4. Improves Physical Coordination and Motor Skills
From dancing and moving to acting out scenes, children build body awareness and coordination. Musical theatre supports both fine and gross motor skill development through rhythm, gesture, and expressive movement.
5. Builds Confidence and Self-Expression
Standing up and performing, even in a small group, gives children a sense of achievement. They learn to speak clearly, project their voices, and share their ideas proudly, all in a supportive, non-pressured environment.
A Class Designed with Love and Learning in Mind
At Lovely Kate’s Little Monkeys, we carefully craft each session to engage young minds while nurturing their development. Whether your child dreams of the stage or is just beginning to find their voice, musical theatre offers something magical for every little one.
Classes run every Monday and Tuesday for children aged 3–6 years. Come join us and discover just how powerful and fun imagination can be!
Building Confidence Through Competition: Musical Theatre for Boys
Our Approach: Performance Through Play
Instead of traditional drills or rigid rehearsals, our boys tackle performance-based challenges each week. These might include:
Group performance competitions to master choreography
Vocal excercises to explore pitch and projection
Acting games that require quick thinking, teamwork, and bold character choices
Staging contests where creativity earns points for their team
Each challenge is rooted in real performance skills, but disguised as fast-paced, collaborative games that encourage focus, fun, and fearlessness. And while competition is part of the format, the real victory comes through camaraderie, confidence, and growth.
At MTH!, we believe that musical theatre is for everyone and that includes boys who thrive on energy, movement, and a little friendly competition!
Our Boys Musical Theatre Class is specially designed to engage young performers by tapping into what excites them most: challenges, teamwork, and action. We know that boys often learn best when they’re active, motivated, and working toward a goal. That’s why we’ve created a program that channels their natural sense of competition into creative expression helping them grow as singers, dancers, and actors in a way that feels exciting and empowering.
Our Approach: Performance Through Play
Instead of traditional drills or rigid rehearsals, our boys tackle performance-based challenges each week. These might include:
Group performance competitions to master choreography
Vocal excercises to explore pitch and projection
Acting games that require quick thinking, teamwork, and bold character choices
Staging contests where creativity earns points for their team
Each challenge is rooted in real performance skills, but disguised as fast-paced, collaborative games that encourage focus, fun, and fearlessness. And while competition is part of the format, the real victory comes through camaraderie, confidence, and growth.
Why It Works
This format meets boys where they are, energetic, curious, and eager to rise to a challenge. It gives them a chance to:
Take creative risks in a supportive environment
Develop stage presence without fear of “getting it wrong”
Bond with teammates, boosting social skills and trust
Feel proud of their progress, both individually and as part of a group
Over time, our boys become not just better performers, but braver, more expressive, and more connected to themselves and each other.
Join the Cast!
If you’ve got a son who loves to move, imagine, create, or compete, our Boys Musical Theatre Class could be the perfect fit. Whether he’s brand new to the stage or already loves the spotlight, we offer a space where he can channel his energy into something meaningful and fun.
Come see what happens when we combine the power of performance with the thrill of the challenge. We can’t wait to welcome your young star to the stage!
Exploring the World of Improv: A New Adventure for Our Junior Musical Theatre Students
This year, our junior musical theatre students have taken a bold leap into one of the most exciting and creative areas of performance: improvisation! From spontaneous scenes to wild imagination games, our young performers have been learning how to think on their feet, support one another, and bring characters to life in the most unexpected ways.
At the heart of our improv journey has been the classic principle of “Yes, and…” a golden rule in improv that teaches actors to accept an idea and build on it. This simple phrase helps performers keep a scene moving forward, encourages teamwork, and boosts confidence. Our students have quickly discovered how saying “yes” to their scene partners opens the door to endless storytelling possibilities.
But we didn’t stop there!
To help them dig deeper into the physicality of acting, our juniors also took part in imaginative games where they embodied animal characters. Whether they were slinking like a cat, bounding like a kangaroo, or waddling like a penguin, these exercises gave students a playful way to explore how movement can shape a character’s personality, emotions, and voice.
Watching our young actors transform into animals and invent entire scenes from scratch has been nothing short of inspiring. Their laughter, quick thinking, and growing confidence remind us of the magic of learning through play.
Top Tips for Young Improvisers (Under 11s)
If your child is excited about improv or wants to build their confidence even more, here are a few top tips tailored just for them:
Always say “Yes, and…” Agree with your partner's idea and add something new to keep the scene going.
Use your whole body –Whether you’re a robot or a rabbit, how you move tells us a lot about your character.
Listen carefully Great improvisers are great listeners. Pay close attention to what others say so you can respond in the moment.
Don’t be afraid to be silly Improv is the perfect place to let your imagination run wild.
Have fun and support your team The best improv scenes come from working together and making each other look great.
We are so proud of how far our junior students have come in their improv journey this year. Their creativity, courage, and joy are what theatre is all about!
Flexibility in Focus
How to improve flexibility and develop your dance technique.
Why all our Dancers are working to achieve a full split and how you can too!
Developing flexibility is super important for dancers, especially when you're still growing and building your foundation. Flexibility helps you move with more ease, grace, and control, whether you're kicking high, leaping far, or flowing through a lyrical combo. It also lowers your risk of injury, which means you can dance stronger and longer. Plus, working on your flexibility boosts your overall body awareness, making it easier to learn new choreography and improve your technique. The best part? You don't need to be naturally bendy. Flexibility is something you can build over time with consistency and care.
Senior Tech Dance working to improve flexibilty through stretching.
Easy Tips for Learning the Splits
Get Warm First
Before you stretch, move around to warm up your body. Try dancing, jumping jacks, or jogging in place for a few minutes.Stretch Often
Try to stretch most days of the week. Even a few minutes a day can help you get more flexible over time.Go Slow and Gentle
Don’t bounce or push too hard. Hold each stretch for about 30 seconds and take deep breaths to help your body relax.Stretch the Right Muscles
Focus on stretching your legs, especially the backs of your thighs, the front of your hips, and your inner thighs. Try lunges, toe touches, and butterfly stretches.Use Pillows or Blocks
If the floor feels too far away, use pillows or books to rest your hands or legs on while you practice.Be Patient
The splits take time, and everyone is different. Keep trying, and cheer yourself on for every little bit of progress.Stop if it Hurts
It’s okay to feel a little stretch, but if something really hurts, stop right away. Always listen to your body.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
A Warm welcome to our new Theatre Family Members!
Welcome to all our new members at Musical Theatre High!
Welcome to a New Season at Musical Theatre High! 🎭✨
We’re so excited to kick off a brand new term at Musical Theatre High! Whether you’re stepping into our studio for the first time or you’ve been dancing, acting, and singing with us for years, welcome. This season is already bursting with energy, creativity, and talent, and we can’t wait to see how each of you grows.
A special shoutout goes to all of our new students, we're thrilled you're here! You’re joining a vibrant and supportive community where you will learn, make friends, and discover what makes you shine on stage. Do not worry if things feel new or challenging at first. Every star starts somewhere, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
We also want to give a huge congratulations to the students who have been promoted to new classes or levels within the academy. Your hard work, dedication, and progress have not gone unnoticed. You inspire us all, and we cannot wait to see how you rise to the new challenges ahead. Keep pushing, keep believing, and keep doing what you love.
Here is to a season full of learning, laughter, and lots of standing ovations!
Break a leg, everyone!
— The Musical Theatre High Team
Helping you to turn dreams, big or small, into reality!
Spotlight on Improv: Building Confidence, Creativity, and Quick Thinking
Stick to these simple rules when it comes to Improv scenes
At Musical Theatre High, our Juniors, Seniors, and Tech Prep students have been diving into the exciting world of improv acting and we couldn’t be prouder of the growth we’re seeing.
Improvisation, or improv, is the art of thinking on your feet. It means reacting in the moment, listening closely, and responding truthfully even when there’s no script. It’s fun, it’s challenging, and it’s a powerful tool for any actor.
In theatre and stage work, improv is more than just a game. It teaches essential skills that actors use in every performance. Whether you’re recovering from a forgotten line, adjusting to a technical mishap, or simply bringing more life to your character, improv gives you the confidence and flexibility to stay in the moment. It sharpens your ability to listen, collaborate, and make bold choices, all key ingredients for a compelling performance.
Our students have been using improv exercises to build strong scene work, develop original characters, and trust their instincts on stage. They're learning that mistakes aren’t something to fear, they’re actually opportunities to discover something new. That’s the heart of great acting.
Improv also builds stage presence, quick thinking, and emotional honesty, skills that carry over into auditions, scripted scenes, and even life outside the theatre.
To all our junior, senior, and tech prep students: keep playing, keep exploring, and keep saying “yes, and…” The skills you’re building now will help you shine in every role you take on.
Welcome Back, Katy Hanna!! From the West End to Musical Theatre High!
Katy Hanna is back and the vocal work begins for technique!
We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome back our amazing Musical Director, Katy Hanna, after an exciting and inspiring three months away, because she wasn’t just on holiday... she was starring in Wicked on the West End!
Performing on one of the world’s most iconic stages is no small feat, and we are so proud of Katy for reaching such a monumental milestone in her career. Her talent, dedication, and passion continue to inspire everyone here at Musical Theatre High. Watching one of our own shine so brightly on the professional stage reminds us all of what’s possible with hard work, heart, and a little bit of magic.
Now that she’s back, Katy has hit the ground running. She’s already working closely with our Technique students, pushing them to develop rich, dynamic harmonies for our upcoming Summer Showcase. Under her expert guidance, students are learning not just how to sing together, but how to listen, blend, and elevate their performance as a unified ensemble.
Our Technique Students working with. Katy Hanna
Katy’s return brings an incredible energy to the studio, and her real-world experience adds depth to every rehearsal. Whether she’s breaking down a complex harmony or sharing stories from backstage at Wicked, her presence is a true gift to our students.
Welcome home, Katy, and thank you for continuing to raise the bar for all of us!