Stagecoach Colchester

Caroline is celebrating 25 years as Principal of Stagecoach Colchester, providing drama, dance and singing classes. We set ourselves high standards and the students work hard to achieve them, but always with a huge sense of fun and enjoyment! There are two presentations a year for families and friends to enjoy - one at the end of the Autumn term is a demonstration of classwork, the second in July is a rehearsed piece of musical theatre with costumes and lighting. No audition is required for new students - all they need is enthusiasm, commitment and a love of the performing arts! 
 

We offer Performing Arts Exams

Principal Caroline Maxwell - BA Hons

Your child is in safe hands. All of our Team are Enhanced DBS checked.


Noticeboard

SPRING TERM 2025

Our Spring Term commences on 10th/11th/12th January and finishes on 28th/29th/30th March (no half-term break). There are a limited number of places for 6-8 year olds available on Sunday mornings and also for our Saturday lunchtime Early Stages classes (4-6 year olds). Please email [email protected] to check availability.

Weekly Classes

Early Stages (for ages 4-6 yrs)

Stagecoach Early Stages
Early Stages classes run alongside the main Stagecoach schools, where young people learn skills in each of the three Musical Theatre disciplines of singing, dancing & drama, so it is an easy step when it is time to transfer to the next stage.

(90 minutes each week)

Main Stages (for ages 6-18 yrs)

Stagecoach Main Stages
Main Stages classes are split in three age appropriate groups, where young people learn new skills in each of the complementary Musical Theatre disciplines of singing, dancing & drama. We nurture the shy and apprehensive, until they find their feet and voice, whilst at the same time developing and channelling those with bundles of talent, confidence and energy. We believe in the potential of every child!

(3 hrs each week)

Further Stages (for ages 15+ yrs)

Stagecoach Further Stages
Our advanced musical theatre sessions give talented students the chance to extend their performance skills.  Through in-depth training and master classes, we help students to hone their skills in singing, dancing and acting.  We also give students the confidence to audition for theatre and vocational drama schools (if that is their goal) and make sure they are well prepared for interviews and auditions. 

Fees in accordance with Main Stages.

Holiday Workshops

Meet The Team

Principal - Caroline Maxwell - BA Hons

Caroline opened her first Stagecoach school in Colchester on Saturday mornings in September 1998. The school was full straight away and has remained so ever since, quickly followed by an afternoon school in 1999 and Friday evenings in 2001. September 2014 saw the launch of a brand new school on Sunday mornings and in 2017, a second Saturday morning school opened in response to huge demand.  Stagecoach Colchester also has 5 Early Stages classes for students aged 4-6 years and 2 Further Stages classes for students aged 15 plus.

Caroline believes passionately in the benefits of the performing arts for all and has seen first hand how a love of theatre can enrich lives, whether children go on to be performers, to work behind-the-scenes, or just enjoy being members of the audience. Prior to Stagecoach, Caroline worked for 15 years in the Education Department at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, introducing opera and ballet to schools and communities throughout the UK and abroad. She is an experienced arts administrator and events manager and has led her school to become one of the most established and well-respected performing arts schools in the Colchester area.  From Stagecoach, Caroline has received the Franchisee Special Award in 2001; Runner-up Franchisee of the Year in 2013; the Franchisee of the Year Award in 2014 and again in 2018, and the  Customer Focus Award in 2019.