Drama school puts classes online so children can keep active during lockdown

A drama school has been staging its classes online during lockdown.

Theatre college All the Arts in New Eltham on March 16 closed its doors on to the public and is now offering virtual classes to keep children active and engaged during the coronavirus pandemic.

Ex-Brookside actress and school principal Lucy Morgans said: “It was a very sad day that we closed our doors, after 16 years of running and teaching over 500 children and teenagers every week – it was the first time we have ever cancelled a class.

“All of our teachers and staff are self-employed actors and teaching professionals with families of their own which meant all of us lost our livelihoods overnight.”

Staff came up with the idea of launching virtual classes which are offered live every day for children to take part in.

“It’s been amazing,” said Lucy. “We have over 100 children and teenagers joining us from their homes every day and we are also running a social chat room for our teenagers to talk to us in a safe and friendly environment.

“Keeping them interacting is so important – it is such a joy to see them all and they are so excited to see each other.”

The theatre school have also designed virtual parties for children and teenagers which will be launched in the coming days.

“It was my son’s sixth birthday last month and he was so upset when we told him that we had to cancel his party,” added Lucy. “It got me thinking that there must be a way to hook him up with his friends and have fun, even from home.

“We trialled the idea with friends and family, with great success and we are now delighted to offer parties which will be hosted by our team of professionals.”

For more information on the classes and parties click here.