Download here: Acting Performance Studio Covid-19 Policy and Safe Class Practice

We’re paying close attention to any updates from the Australian Government Department of Health on the coronavirus (COVID-19) and will follow advice given as rules and restrictions may change over time.
We are following recommendations from State and Federal Health and Education Departments and using that advice to guide our decision making process. Providing a safe environment for our students and staff is our highest priority.
When resuming onsite classes again, our precautionary measures remain the same as before lockdown; If a student or teacher has any symptoms of being unwell they are not to attend classes. Hygiene precautions are to be enforced and followed by anyone in the building. Please see detailed precautionary measures and restrictions below.

Please make sure to read this document thoroughly in order to help us maintain a covid-safe environment. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any thoughts, concerns or questions.

Conducting safe class practice – Precautionary Measures for staff, students and other visitors.
At APS, we’re taking precautionary measures including new pre and post-class/workshop routines to sanitise shared surfaces, keeping hand sanitiser available for all students, making face masks available for students if a mask breaks during class (please bring your own mask to class to keep consumption down) as well as ensuring our staff continue to follow Department of Health guidelines.
We’d be very grateful if you’d help keep APS safe for everybody by practicing enhanced hand washing, wearing a facemask at all times if you are over 12 years of age, taking other recommended control measures when you visit and please do stay at home if you’re unwell or have travelled to or had contact with someone returning from a high risk area. If you are outside of the 25km range, make sure you don’t travel to our classes without special permission or until restrictions ease further.

During drop offs and pick ups, please avoid entering the building as much as possible. We understand when picking up or dropping off a small child or if your child is attending a trial you might need to enter the building, but where possible, please wait in the car or outside.
When visiting any of our studios please make sure to:
– If you are over 18 years of age, make sure to use our QR code at the entrance upon arrival to SIGN IN and before departure to SIGN OUT. Include any minors that may be accompanying you, such as siblings. Enrolled students do NOT have to sign in or be included as we take the roll.
– Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and warm water.
– Maintain at least 1.5m (2m at voice/singing classes) distance between yourself and others
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, or shaking hands with others.
– Make sure you follow good hygiene, and encourage others to do the same. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze, and disposing of used tissues immediately. Wear a facemask if you are over 12 years of age.
– Keep up to date on the latest hotspots (cities or local areas where the pandemic or epidemic is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places – especially if you are more at risk.
– Seek medical advice promptly and follow the directions of your local health authority.
– If you are feeling unwell (even with only mild cold-like symptoms) we request that you do not attend any activities until you are feeling better and/or have been tested with a negative result. If you have recently travelled anywhere overseas, high risk area or have been in contact with someone who has been infected, we request that you stay away from acting classes or related events for a period of at least 14 days. Please get tested.
If APS suspects a case of Coid-19 at any of our studios we will immediately postpone all classes, workshops and other activity and follow government advice:
If a staff member or student at your school is in one of the categories below, your school must contact DHHS on 1300 651 160 for advice on what to do next. The school should also make an IRIS incident alert by contacting the Department’s Incident Support and Operations Centre on 1800 126 126.Categories for contacting DHHS:
– The person is a confirmed case of COVID-19
– The person is a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days ‘Close contact’ is defined by DHHS as someone who has had at least 15 minutes of face-to-face contact with a confirmed case, or shared a closed space with someone for more than two hours with a confirmed case.

For your information there is an attached checklist each teacher will go through before, during and after each class.

Teacher’s Checklist for a covid-safe environment:

Before class:
– Wipe down the seats, equipment and anything else frequently touched and used in the classroom.
– Encourage students to wash or sanitise their hands before entering the classroom.
– Help remind any adult (who is not a student) to check in via the QR code.

During class:
– Ensure the roll is marked.
– Encourage students to wash or sanitise their hands in any breaks.
– Make sure students keep a distance of 1.5m, 2m for singing during musical theatre classes or singing lessons.
– Tailor class structure, including exercises and games in a way that avoids physical contact as much as possible.

After class:
– Encourage students to wash or sanitise their hands before they leave.
– Wipe down the seats, equipment and anything else frequently touched and used in the classroom.
– Communicate with the office staff of hand sanitiser, wipes, paper towels or masks are running low.
– Help remind any adult (who is not a student) to check out via the QR code.

Finding the right acting class can take time. That’s why we offer a free trial class. (Trial classes are unavailable for our Full Time program and Part Time program.)

Categories of classes:

1. Full Time actor training for adults – 1yr and 2yr program. This professional course consists of our Full Time and Part Time programs – intensive, audition-only courses focusing on craft development.

2. Term classes for adults, children and teens. Our term courses and holiday workshops run weekly and in school holidays. For all levels, from the very beginner to the very advanced. From age 4yrs to adult, these classes are in a wonderfully diverse range of styles; fun, inspirational, focused, demanding, energetic and motivating.

We are confident you will find a class that works for you at AP Studio.
Still not sure? Remember to sign up for your free trial class.

APS enrolment is simple.

Enrol online by clicking the ‘Enrol’ link on each course page. Fill it out and submit online. You can attach your filled out Paysmart form with the enrolment form. Please read and agree to the APS Terms and Conditions prior to enrolling. A completed and signed Student Registration Form will be considered enrolment confirmation. An enrolled student’s place is automatically saved for the next term. APS requires 2 weeks notice if a student will not be enrolling in the following term.

Are you new to APS or are trying out a new course? Make sure to sign up for a free trial before you enrol!

Payments:

All term class payments are via Paysmart Direct Debit System

Paysmart is a direct debit payment system which offers you the choice of regular direct debits from either your savings or credit card account, as well as the convenience of choosing from weekly, fortnightly, monthly or quarterly payments. A filled out Paysmart form needs to be emailed to or handed in to the office prior to first lesson after trial class or at the start of term 1 each year for current students.
We utilise this service to ensure that families are not burdened with large payments. If this is not suitable please contact the office and an arrangement can be made to suit your needs.

This is not a lock-in contract.
If you/your child should decide to cease attending classes at APS, payments can be cancelled at any time with only 2 weeks’ notice.

Click here to download the form.

Multiple child discount:

With our multiple child discount, a price reduction of 5% will be honoured for 2 enrolled siblings. A discount of 10% will be honoured for 3 enrolled siblings. Sibling discounts are not applicable for the full time program.

Early-bird discount:

Our early-bird discount of 5% applies to the full time and part time courses.

Making payments:

When paying via Direct Deposit credit full course fees to:
Account Name: Acting Performance Studio
BSB: 063 119
Account: 1042 6236
Please enter the student’s name and the APS course name in the description field on Internet Banking.

Refunds:

Refunds are not available if a student misses a class. However, the student may make up the class by joining another suitable one within the same term, subject to availability.

Please wear comfortable clothing that you can move freely in to all classes. Although some courses require these items more than others, it is usually a good idea to bring a notebook, pen and bottle of water to class. If you need anything more specific such as costumes, props or a USB stick for your scenes, your tutor will let you know.

A very experienced actor.

If you are seeking serious and ongoing training we suggest you audition for our FULL TIME or PART TIME courses. These pre-professional programs are demanding. Actors who have a good understanding of themselves and have worked in the industry thrive because we are thorough and in-depth in our training. Our part time course in particular is perfect for accomplished actors wishing to extend their process, without wanting to commit to a full time schedule.

Many APS students are working actors who use our term classes as actor’s gyms to keep in creative shape in between jobs, or to be ready when the next screen test arrives.
We provide private lessons in acting and singing to keep you sharp, fresh and audition ready. Call us to talk through your options of how you can be ready the next time opportunity knocks.

Our short courses and casting workshops might also interest you.

An actor with some credits or training.

We recommend you audition for our FULL TIME or PART TIME course in the pre-professional program. Our rigorous training will identify your current capabilities in your work, and train you to extend yourself to the next level in a supportive environment. We strive to help you become the actor you know you can be.

New to acting.

Each term we offer a range of acting classes to initiate you into training and an actor’s process. Our screen acting term courses for adults, kids and teens provide a rich source of creativity, tips and camera techniques to beginners as well as more experienced actors.

Participants will be asked to prepare two monologues of their choice to perform for the audition panel. The first monologue should be modern (from a published play) and the second from Shakespeare. Wear comfortable clothing that you can move freely in.

We call our course full time even though the contact hours are 21 hours a week because of the high work load involved. The out-of-class work is extensive, and as in any acting course, student training will falter if they don’t commit to the prep work assigned. Scenes will need to be learnt, research done, text analysed, scenes broken down, characters explored, exercises and processes applied, extra rehearsals scheduled. The list goes on.

Additionally, our program is demanding so successful applicants will exhibit a zest for learning, a level head, and a committed manner.

Via workshops, meetings and showings we guarantee access throughout the program to agents and casting directors. There isn’t an acting course in Australia that can guarantee representation upon graduation. However, established agency Smallfry/Derrick Management is the sister company to APS. As such, we are uniquely positioned to offer you experienced mentorship in navigating the business part of show business. Whether you are pursuing work in film and TV, on stage, or auditioning for a three-year course, you will graduate from APS poised and prepared to screen test and audition at all levels of the industry.

We are passionate about helping kids find the capacity to soar. By exploring and increasing their dramatic skills early in life children learn self-expression, self-respect, develop empathy and foster a love of language. We understand kids who live outside the box. Drama classes can provide a creative safe haven where young people find members of their own ‘tribe’. Our children’s courses offer a place where young people can learn to trust their unique selves, and are valued for their differences.

Teen classes involve drama improvisations and warm ups to prepare the class for the work ahead and to assist in breaking down barriers and creating an ensemble, before the practical work is begun. Ask your teen to read our individual course descriptions, and see if one jumps out at them. Our Holiday Program offers training and fun classes in more specific subject areas. Whether it be helping the beginner to build confidence or assisting the more advanced actor for upcoming auditions, all teens in our classes are encouraged and supported to be the best they can be. Each class is tailored to suit the skills and experience of each student. As those skills advance and develop, the tutor will evolve the work.

If your teen has never attended an acting class we would love to invite them along to try a free trial class. Although trying a new thing is sometimes a challenge, our tutors are experienced at this and will make the transition for your teen relaxed and fluid.

We encourage even our very youngest students to be independent beings whilst they are ‘at work’ in drama class and therefore ask that parents/guardians don’t sit in. However, we have CCTV in each classroom and a screen in the front foyer for parents to watch their child’s class from a distance. Parents/guardians are welcome to wait for their children in the front foyer when necessary (particularly parents and guardians of younger students). Otherwise drop offs and pickups are advised to avoid office congestion. Some courses offer an end of term performance or open classroom for families.

Our Teach the Text: Professional Development Series offers a range of workshops for educators of play texts such as English and Drama teachers. Whether you are an experienced educator honing your skills or a new teacher wishing to establish a firm knowledge base, we provide you with the professional development to instil in your students a profound comprehension of the texts on the 2014-2018 Victorian Curriculum.

Courses for educators are offered at the APS studio as part of our Holiday Program or onsite at your school.