Develop performance and creative thinking skills in a fun environment at The Court Theatre. Our new premises in the heart of Ōtautahi Christchurch are purpose-built performance spaces that will inspire and bring the best out of our students.
Led by professional theatre makers, participants learn skills around acting, voice, devising and how to work creatively as part of a team – abilities that will stay with them for life. Students also get the added excitement of working towards a showcase on one of The Court Theatre’s main stages at the end of Term 4.
Online enrolment for Term 4 has closed. Youth Drama and Improv classes for 2026 will be advertised soon. Please email education@courttheatre.org.nz if you have any queries or would like to go on a waitlist.
Youth Drama Classes
Drama 1 (Ages 7-9)
Introduces the basic concepts of building performance and drama. A creative and fun session which will build confidence and increase skills.
$150 per term
Builds performance skills, introducing abstract and naturalistic theatre styles. Participants will develop their creative thinking and problem solving skills and learn to work as a group to create theatre.
$150 per term
A great accompaniment to students studying drama at school and excellent preparation for The Court Youth Company. Participants will develop skills in a variety of theatre practices.
$170 per term
An advancement on Drama 3, exploring performance skills in more depth and an excellent preparation for The Court Youth Company. Participants will develop skills in a variety of theatre practices and be challenged to work with a high level of professional practice.
$170 per term
Youth Improv Classes
Junior Youth Improv (Ages 11-14)
An introduction to improvisation for younger students.
Improv theatre is a fun and spontaneous style of performance where participants learn games and skills that allow them to make up stories and scenes on the spot without a script working in collaboration with their fellow performers.
This programme is a great introduction to performance and learning the techniques and skills that allow you to create improvised scenes as a group.
$150 per term
Building on fundamental exercises and games to work towards creating improvised scene work and character, this class is a great way to complement our Theatresports in Schools programme for students wanting some extra coaching.
Explore the techniques of improv that create engaging storytelling and learn to develop the comedic nature of this theatre style. Fast and funny, this class will get you thinking on your feet whilst learning performance skills.
$170 per term
Adult Learners
Open Adult Acting
Open Adult Acting is for those who are looking to develop acting skills in a fun, relaxed and encouraging environment.
In Term 4 students will focus on fundamental acting skills before jumping up and having a go at performing. Students will work on monologues, choosing their own monologue from film, television, stage or anything that resonates. The class will play around with ideas and be encouraged to give and receive feedback.
A fantastic break from the usual 9-5, Open Adult Acting is for newcomers keen to jump into acting or those that may feel out of practice and want a fun and supportive environment to reengage.
Teaching Artist Tobin Smith grew up in Christchurch with a love of the performing arts taking part in kapa haka, choir, film, and local theatre. Tobin moved to London to study at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and worked for 6 years in film and theatre in the United Kingdom before returning to New Zealand to be with family and friends. Tobin’s methodology to teaching and learning is to approach acting from a place of relaxation and ease.
$185 per term
Ever wonder how an actor created an iconic role? Are you curious about how to transform your character research from theory to embodiment? Through a series of laboratory exercises you will expand your toolkit to unlock the world of your character. Working on a selected text, in group and individual experiments in improvisation, music, journaling and art, you will develop a process that is rigorous, organic and that empowers you to build the imaginary world of your character. You will become more confident in your ability to collaborate and to incorporate direction, just as your character learns from lived experience. Advanced Acting will take your craft to greater professional fluency and inspiration for any role you wish to inhabit.
Advanced Adult Acting will be led by Alison James, actor, director and voice over artist in theatre, commercials, television and film in the UK, Germany, Vancouver. To New Zealand audiences she is known for her role as Tiffany Pratt-Warner-Marinovich on the nightly serial, ‘Shortland Street’. For the last 16 years, she taught at the Vancouver Film School in her role as Senior Instructor in Acting, Camera and Curriculum
$195 per term
Suitable for:
People who are new to improv
Those who are wanting a fun hobby
People seeking personal development and transferable skills
Note: This is an adult course, 18 +
To join an improvised theatre group is to engage in a joyous, text-building, world-imagining art form which awakens our latent ability to tell stories. This inherently co-operative practice enhances our deep listening, empathy, resilience, risk-taking and narrative construction skills, all within the confines of a supportive and fun atmosphere. With all these benefits, there is little wonder improv enjoys great popularity worldwide, not only as an entertainment product, but also as a personal hobby, or an avenue for professional development. The Open Improv group is designed for beginners and those who simply want to explore improv for all the inherent skills and joy it can provide as a weekly practice. The environment will be supportive and non-judgemental, and there is no end of term showcase. It is play for play’s sake.
In Open Improv you will…
Be led by multiple expert improv teachers from the Court Theatre
Play circle games to build camaraderie and confidence
Learn and try spontaneity exercises to free the imagination and tell stories
Do some easy physical exercises to engage your body in the practice
Learn the rules to, and play multiple short performance games developed by Keith Johnstone and others such as Speak in One Voice, Alphabet, and New Choice.
Learn enough about improv theory to partake in basic scene play
Be coached kindly in regards to basic stagecraft. eg. facing the audience, projecting voice, making basic character choices
Be asked to respond and reflect on the practice
Have a LOT of fun and laughter
$195 per term
Suitable for:
People who want to experience performing improv in front of an audience
Those who have done some improv already and are keen to develop their skill levels in a fun environment
People seeking personal development and transferable skills
Note: This is an adult course, 18 +
Take your improv skills to another level with Performance Improv 1! Designed for those with some experience or a keen interest in performing, this class dives deeper into acting skills, storytelling theory, and creating engaging scenes. You’ll develop ensemble skills, learn plenty of performance games and scene types, and be coached in the techniques needed to captivate an audience. Ideal for aspiring actors and those ready to take their comedy seriously.
In Performance Improv 1 you will…
Be led by multiple expert improv teachers from the Court Theatre
Play circle games, spontaneity exercises, and some easy physical exercises
Learn the rules to, and play multiple short performance games developed by Keith Johnstone and others
Perform spontaneous scene work, learning how to add structures such as repetition, revelation, time jumps, and developing action
Be coached in your scene work to develop your acting, stories, and stagecraft
Be asked to respond and reflect on the practice
Perform in a programme of scenes and games in an end of term showcase
Have a LOT of fun and laughter
$195 per term
Suitable for:
Experienced and confident improvisors
Note: This is an adult course, 18 + and entry is through application
Challenge yourself with Performance Improv 2, an acting company-type class for experienced improvisers ready to refine their craft. Introducing students to advanced acting exercises and the skills involved in long form improvisation, this course will ask students to push the artistic boundaries of their improv practice. The group will design their own original show formats and take them to the public with the aim of a polished, professional show. Court Jesters and Court Theatre teaching artists are eligible and welcome to join this class if they want extra training in their week.
In Performance Improv 2 you will…
Be led by multiple expert improv teachers from the Court Theatre
Perform spontaneous scene work, investigating structures and styles
Be coached in your scene work to develop your acting, stories, and stagecraft
Coach the scenes of other company members
Be asked to respond and reflect deeply on the practice, improving the product
Perform an original format in an end of term showcase
Have a LOT of fun and laughter
This class is for experienced improv practitioners who are confident in their own abilities. It is recommended that members have completed at least one year of Court Theatre classes, such as Performance Improv 1, or Advanced Improv, or have equivalent experience. Membership is through application and will be decided on a case-by-case basis.
$195 per term
