Welcome to
Footlights Dagenham
JOIN OUR ESTABLISHED STAGE SCHOOL (2005)
Does your child want to learn how to act, sing and dance?
Join our performing arts classes in Dagenham
Register now for a FREE TRIAL
Where we are:
Jo Richardson Community School
Castle Green
Gale St
Dagenham RM9 4UN.
Telephone Number: 07903 094 568
About Footlights Dagenham
Footlights Dagenham is part of the award-winning Footlights Theatre School network, providing high-quality performing arts training for children and young people aged 3–18.
For more than 20 years, Footlights has helped children develop their skills in acting, singing and dance, while building confidence, creativity, friendships and self-belief along the way.
At our Dagenham stage school, students are taught by experienced specialist teachers in a fun, supportive and inclusive environment. Whether your child dreams of a future on stage or screen, wants to develop their performing arts skills, or simply wants to make friends and grow in confidence, there is a place for them at Footlights.
Our younger students aged 3–6 enjoy specially designed performing arts classes, while students aged 7–18 take part in our full Main School programme of acting, singing and dance.
We believe performing arts should give children skills for the stage — and skills for life.
Come and discover Footlights Dagenham and Bring Out Their Brilliant.
You can read and download our safeguarding policy here.
What are you waiting for?
Book a no-obligation free trial today.
Performing Arts Classes for Children in Dagenham
Acting, Singing & Dance Classes for Ages 3–18
Do you live in Dagenham, Barking, Romford or the surrounding area?
Does your child:
Love performing and dream of appearing on stage, TV or film?
Want to learn acting, singing and dance?
Want to grow in confidence, be creative and make new friends?
Simply love performing and want somewhere they can be themselves?
Welcome to Footlights Dagenham – our Saturday performing arts school for children and young people aged 3–18.
Our fun, inclusive classes combine acting, singing and dance, helping children develop performance skills, confidence, creativity and friendships — whether they dream of a career in the performing arts or simply want to have fun.
Then Footlights Dagenham is the right place for them!
What to expect?
More Than Just Performing Arts Classes
During your child’s time at Footlights Dagenham, our specialist tutors will help them develop their skills in acting, singing and dance, sharing their professional experience and teaching age-appropriate performance techniques in a fun and supportive environment.
Our performing arts classes for children and young people in Dagenham are about much more than learning how to perform. We want every student to get the most from their Footlights experience by developing confidence, creativity, communication and essential life skills, while having fun and making new friends.
Alongside their acting, singing and dance training, students are encouraged to:
- Build confidence when meeting and communicating with others
- Speak clearly and express their ideas
- Take part confidently in discussions and group activities
- Develop independence and decision-making skills
- Listen to and respect the ideas of others
- Work collaboratively as part of a team
- Build friendships with children who share their interests
Whether your child dreams of performing professionally or simply wants to grow in confidence, make friends and enjoy performing, Footlights Dagenham gives them the opportunity to develop skills that can benefit them both on stage and in everyday life.
The younger the child is when they take up an activity or interest the better, as in the right environment and with the right teacher they underpin the foundation to their learning and will already have a head-start on their peers.
We understand that parents want the right balance between a great performing arts education and their child’s mainstream schooling.
Our acting, singing and dance classes in Dagenham are designed to complement academic education rather than compete with it. The skills children develop through performing arts — including confidence, communication, teamwork, discipline, creativity and resilience — can support them both in the classroom and in everyday life.
Students may also have opportunities to work towards internationally recognised performing arts examinations and qualifications, providing additional goals, progression and recognition of their achievements.
At Footlights Dagenham, we believe young people can take their performing arts training seriously while still having fun, making friends and enjoying every step of the journey.
Whatever their ambition, we’re here to help them Bring Out Their Brilliant.
there is also the opportunity to take recognised examinations through LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts).
There is also the option for students to audition for professional work in film, theatre and modelling via our agency, Footlights Personal Management (our recent successes include Coronation Street, Matilda UK tour, Game of Thrones and the CBBC series ‘KATY’).
Book a free trial today at Footlights Dagenham and see for yourself.
Want to know more? Why not take a look at our FAQ’s
Shows
Each summer, all of our children take part in a performance. It’s a full-scale show where parents/carers, family and friends can come and watch their progress.
The Autumn/Winter and Spring term schedules focus much more on skills and technique with a shorter informal presentation at Christmas.
The teaching teams provide written feedback each Easter, so you can track your child’s progress. We also practice an open door policy for anytime that you wish to discuss your child’s progress. You can use this form to contact us, or speak to us directly.
We hope you enjoyed reading all about us and look forward to greeting you and your child at our school – just sign up here or message us.
Exams
We offer LAMDA exams – with 100% pass rates, in 2026 we achieved a record number of Distinctions,
Class Timetable
Saturdays!
- 3yrs – 4yrs: 9.30am – 11am
- 5yrs – 6yrs: 11.30am – 1pm
- 7yrs – 18yrs: 9.45am – 1pm
Our Staff
Aderonke
Principal
Read Bio
Meet Aderonke – Footlights Dagenham. Bringing passion, experience and a genuine love of the performing arts, Aderonke is the proud Principal behind Footlights Dagenham, a welcoming performing arts and stage school for children and young people in Dagenham.
With a professional background in Quality Assurance and a lifelong interest in performance, Aderonke is passionate about creating a place where local children can enjoy acting, singing and dance classes, develop new skills, build confidence and make lasting friendships.
A Passion for Performing Arts
Aderonke’s love of theatre and performance has always been part of her story. Although she never had the opportunity to attend a stage school herself, she spent many years singing in her church choir and taking part in dance and drama productions.
It was watching her own daughter thrive at a stage school in Dagenham that inspired Aderonke to take the next step. She saw first-hand how performing arts classes can help children grow in confidence, express themselves creatively and discover talents they may never have known they had.
That experience sparked her vision for Footlights Dagenham — a friendly, inclusive performing arts school where children can learn, perform, make friends and feel part of something special.
Why Footlights Dagenham?
Aderonke chose Footlights because its approach to high-quality performing arts training, confidence-building and personal development closely matched her own values.
At Footlights Dagenham, children and young people can develop their skills in acting, singing and dance within a fun and supportive environment. Classes are designed to help every student progress, whether they already love performing or are taking their very first steps into the world of theatre.
Aderonke is committed to building a strong local community where children feel welcome, supported and encouraged to be themselves.
Performing Arts Classes for Children in Dagenham
Footlights Dagenham offers performing arts classes for children and young people aged 3–18, with age-appropriate sessions covering acting, singing and dance.
Whether your child dreams of performing on the West End stage, television or film, wants to improve their performance skills, or simply wants somewhere fun to build confidence and make new friends, Footlights Dagenham gives them the opportunity to learn and grow.
From complete beginners to experienced young performers, everyone is welcome.
Join the Footlights Dagenham Family
If you are looking for children’s acting classes, singing classes, dance classes or a stage school in Dagenham, Aderonke and the Footlights Dagenham team would love to welcome you.
Come and experience a performing arts school where creativity, confidence and friendships grow every week.
Book a FREE trial at Footlights Dagenham and Bring Out Your Brilliant.
Tiny’s
3–6-year-olds
Read More
Performing Arts Classes for 3–6 Year olds in Dagenham.
At Footlights Dagenham, our performing arts classes for children aged 3–6 years are designed to introduce little ones to the exciting world of acting, singing and dance in a fun, friendly and supportive environment.
Through imaginative games, music, movement and storytelling, children explore each area of performing arts in short, engaging activities created especially for their age group. There’s lots of fun along the way, while gently developing confidence, creativity and communication skills.
Our classes also encourage children to make friends, work as part of a team, listen, take turns and express themselves, helping to build valuable skills they can carry into school and everyday life.
Whether your child already loves performing or is taking their very first steps onto the stage, Footlights Dagenham provides a welcoming place for them to learn, play, create and grow in confidence.
Looking for drama, singing or dance classes for your 3–6-year-old in Dagenham? Book a FREE trial and come and experience Footlights.
Acting
Acting classes
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Acting Classes for Children and Young People in Dagenham.
As part of our full Saturday morning performing arts programme at Footlights Dagenham, students aged 7–18 take part in dedicated acting classes with a specialist acting teacher, working within their own age group.
Our acting sessions are lively, practical and designed to help every student develop their skills at the right level. Through drama games, improvisation, character work, script work and performance, students learn how to communicate confidently, use their imagination and express themselves creatively.
Acting at Footlights is about much more than learning lines. Students develop confidence, teamwork, communication, focus and self-belief, while learning how to work collaboratively and support one another.
Whether your child already loves performing, dreams of appearing on stage, TV or film, or simply wants to become more confident, our acting classes provide a fun and supportive environment in which they can develop.
Our 7–18 Main School students enjoy acting alongside singing and dance as part of their complete Footlights morning, giving them a broad and exciting performing arts experience every week.
Looking for acting or drama classes for children and teenagers in Dagenham? Book a FREE trial at Footlights Dagenham.
Singing
Singing classes
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Singing Classes for Children and Young People in Dagenham.
As part of our full Saturday morning performing arts programme at Footlights Dagenham, students aged 7–18 take part in dedicated singing and vocal classes with a specialist singing teacher, working within their own age group.
Our singing sessions help students develop strong vocal technique, teaching them how to use and project their voice with confidence, understand breathing and vocal control, and explore melody and harmonies.
Students are encouraged to develop both as individual singers and as part of an ensemble, with opportunities to build confidence in solo singing as well as learning how to blend and perform effectively within a group.
Our teachers also introduce students to the basics of vocal anatomy and healthy voice use, helping them understand how their voice works and how to look after it as they grow.
Whether your child already loves to sing or is only just discovering their voice, our classes are designed to build confidence, musicality, performance skills and self-belief in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Singing forms part of the complete Footlights Main School morning, alongside acting and dance, giving students aged 7–18 a varied performing arts experience every week.
Looking for singing or vocal classes for children and teenagers in Dagenham?
Book a FREE trial at Footlights Dagenham.
Dance
Dance classes
Read More
Dance Classes for Children and Young People in Dagenham.
At Footlights Dagenham, our dance classes are energetic, creative and packed with variety. As part of our full Saturday morning performing arts programme, students aged 7–18 work with a specialist dance teacher in their own age groups, developing technique, confidence and performance skills every week.
Students explore a wide range of styles, including musical theatre, jazz, ballet and commercial dance, learning everything from strong technique and precise footwork to expressive movement, musicality and performance.
Our classes are designed to challenge students while still being fun and accessible. Dancers learn how to pick up choreography, improve coordination, build strength and flexibility, and perform with greater confidence and personality.
Most importantly, you do not need to be an experienced dancer to join Footlights. We are proudly inclusive and welcome everyone, from complete beginners taking their first steps in dance to more advanced students looking to push their skills further.
Every child is encouraged to progress at their own pace, discover their individual style and enjoy the buzz of dancing as part of a team.
Whether your child loves musical theatre, wants to improve their dance technique or simply loves moving to music, our Dagenham dance classes give them the chance to learn, perform, make friends and have an incredible time doing it.
Come and experience the energy of Footlights Dagenham – book a FREE trial and Bring Out Your Brilliant.
What are you waiting for?
Your child is welcome for a free trial at anytime, for more information please email dagenham@footlightstheatre.co.uk or call Aderonke on 07903 094 568