YOUTH DRAMA STUDIO.
We are passionate about nurturing the next generation of Brisbane actors, storytellers, and audiences.
Our Paddington drama classes are informed by the Reggio Emilia philosophy where the children are central to their own learning. Their unique creativity is what we explore, with performance skills and confidence in presentation as outcomes.
Underlying this confidence is self-esteem. We celebrate each individual and encourage them to thrive with their unique super-powers.
The benefits may include vocal clarity, collaboration skills, body awareness, as well as increased social intelligence.
Our youth participants learn about the full creative process: directing, live performance, playwrighting and most importantly, having fun!
Why choose drama?
Participating in our Brisbane drama classes offers numerous benefits for your young people. These include enhanced communication and social skills, boosted self-confidence and increased empathy, alongside fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Skills of communication, negotiating ideas, team-work, public speaking, and problem solving are transferable to your child’s Brisbane schooling and other aspects of their lives.
Theatre games and improvisation skills are taught to enhance learning, build vocal clarity and spatial awareness, as well as creative collaboration.
What happens in our Brisbane youth drama classes.
Upon arrival, your young person is able to eat their afternoon tea, listen to music, and participate in mindfulness activities including craft, board games etc. Our upper primary students often use this time to go through the lines for their scripts. Class starts at 3.30pm.
We then begin the class with a check-in to see how everyone is travelling and so we can gauge the energy levels of the individuals and the group. After this, we move on to energy, movement, and voice warm ups to connect with our senses and mobility, exploring new movements, and body awareness.
Theatre games are designed to ensure playfulness and inclusivity as the group builds trust. Failure is celebrated as it opens the space for learning and encourages vulnerability in a supportive environment. Then, we move on to improvisation, devising and script work, finishing off our sessions with some cool-down games
In terms one-two, participants work on bringing a text to life. In term three-four, participants create their own plays on wherever their imaginations take them. To cap it off, students work towards their end of semester showings in term two and term four in a local theatre venue.
CLASS TIMETABLE FOR PRIMARY STUDENTS.
TERM DATES 2025.
Term One: Week of Monday the 27th of January - Week of Monday the 24th of March.
Term Two: Week of Monday the 21st of April - Week of Monday the 16th of June
Term Three: Week of Monday the 14th of July - Week of Monday the 8th of September
Term Four: Week of Monday the 6th of October - Week of Monday the 1st of December
If your young person’s class has a public holiday throughout the term, then we make up those lessons in week ten.
PADDINGTON STUDIO.
CLASS TIMETABLE FOR DRAMA CLASSES:
Monday: Prep-Grade Two, Grades Three-Four (Best Availability)
Tuesday: Prep-Grade Two, Grades Three-Six,
Wednesday: Grades Four-Six
Thursday: Grades Three-Six
Friday: Prep-Grade Two (Best Availability)
WHEN: On weekdays our classes run 3:30-5pm for primary school students. Doors open from 3pm for student arrival.
WHERE: Rosalie Church Hall. Corner of Ellena St and Fernberg Rd, Paddington.
For our Milton State School Students in our primary classes, our lead facilitator meets the students at 3pm in front of the office and they walk over together to our Paddington Studio.
COST: $300 for the nine week term
OAKLEIGH STATE SCHOOL.
CLASS TIMETABLE FOR DRAMA CLASSES:
Wednesday Mornings: Grades Three -Six
Friday Mornings: Prep-Grade Two
WHEN: All classes run from 7:30am-8:45am. Doors open from 7:15am for student arrival. WHERE: The Lower Library
COST: $250 for the nine-week term.
Register your young person now
Parent Testimonials.
MEET OUR FACILITATING TEAM.
VIRAG DOMBAY - FOUNDER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF PLAY ON STAGE
Hi, I’m Virag and I’m the Founder and Artistic Director of Play on Stage. One of my teaching philosophies is that the arts provide children with the tools for lifelong learning as well as a mean of expressing themselves in a way that can’t be achieved through traditional means of education. In my artistry, I strive to create works for both young people and mainhouse audiences that spark connections and reveal something new about the human experience.
My roles in arts education have included being the Director of Room to Play Kids (2021-April 2025), the Youth Performing Arts Workshops Coordinator for Brisbane Arts Theatre (2018-2021), as well as being a teaching artist for theatre companies such as Queensland Theatre and Grin and Tonic. I am also a drama and dance specialist teacher for Oakleigh State School and Rainworth State School.
Before founding Play on Stage, I operated under my my sole trader name ‘Virag Dombay Productions’ and have performed original works with young people in venues including the Brisbane Powerhouse, Metro Arts, Arcana and PIP Theatre. I’ve toured works with young people across South-East Queensland with the support of Brisbane City Council and frequently activate council spaces with youth voices.
My publications outside of Play on Stage, include ‘Dear Adults…’ (Playlab Theatre, 2023) which I co-wrote with Harry Fritsch and ‘Seasons of Love: A Collection of Short Stories’ (InHouse Publishing, 2021) which was a Finalist in the Next Generation Indie and Independent Publishing Awards in America.
At Play on Stage, I design each lesson plan with a plethora of opportunities for children to have the agency to express themselves about the world around them and to speak their truths as well as having a safe space to explore.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama) with Distinctions and a Masters of Teaching from QUT.
JACK BARRETT - FACILITATOR
Hey hey! I’m Jack and I’m thrilled to be joining the Play on Stage team as a facilitator this year. I’m incredibly passionate about bringing drama to kids and though this is my first year teaching I am no stranger to bringing theatre to kids, having been the head of my school’s drama club in school and being heavily involved with many junior workshops in my post-school life with companies like LVBA and, of course, Room To Play Kids.
I recently graduated this past year from LVBA where I studied Musical Theatre 4 days a week, graduating while studying a Diploma of Musical Theatre. I have been working within community theatre groups while studying for the past 3 years since graduating Highschool having worked with many groups as a performer. Alongside my journey as a performer I’ve also gotten to tread the boards on the creative team as an assistant director with Play on Stage, working set and props and even writing scripts.
My ultimate favorite drama game is definitely Ninja! It just fuels that competitive spirit in me and I also think it’s the perfect balance of energy and focus that you need for a perfect drama game.
Qualifications:
BETHANY MOORE- FACILITATOR AND MARKETING MANAGER
Hi there! My name is Beth and I am so excited to be one of the facilitators for all year levels at Play on Stage.
I graduated from a 'Fine Arts: Film, Screen and New Media' Bachelors degree from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 2022 and have since honed my craft and love for education through award recognised short films and music videos as well as working in tutoring and teaching positions. I love working with kids and teens alike and I am using my skills as a theatre loving film buff to bring a new flavour to the education programs. I grew up as a theatre kid and have lived through brilliant facilitators and hope to live up to their impact.
My favourite drama game is Bus Stop. It is a brilliant improvisational game that requires witt, cleverness and overall leads to so many laughs!
Qualifications: Bachelor Fine Arts: Film, Screen and New Media’ from QUT
YEMAYA NELSON - FACILITATOR
Hello! I’m Yemaya and I facilitate early and upper primary at Play on Stage.
I have a Bachelor of Arts majoring in music from UQ, and over five years of experience tutoring young people in various artistic fields, including music and creative writing. I love working with young people in the arts and getting to share my knowledge as well as create new knowledge with them. I believe that drama is a fantastic way to make friends and connect through collaboration, building community and creating fun!
My favourite drama game is Greetings because of the creativity and spontaneity it prompts, encouraging the participants to play off each other.
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts, majoring in music from UQ