Empowering Young Artists

RISE is a drama based personal development program enabling young women to rise to their full creative potential by enhancing their confidence, performance, literacy and communication skills. This weekly program builds key skills in storytelling, characterisation, acting and play building with secondary school aged young people in a supportive environment.

RISE aims to empower young women to express their creativity and find their personal agency and voice.

Rise participants will:

  • improvise with the elements of drama and narrative structure to develop ideas, and explore subtext to shape devised and scripted drama
  • manipulate combinations of the elements of drama to develop and convey characters
  • practise and refine the expressive capacity of voice and movement to communicate ideas and dramatic action in a range of styles
  • collaborate with others to plan, direct, produce, rehearse and refine performances

Feel welcome to come into our office during working hours to buy a spot in person or email us at info@perseverancestreet.com.au.

FAQs About Our Academy

1.  How will my child benefit from engaging in workshops at PSA?

The emotional, mental and social benefits of performing arts experience are countless and well documented: from increased understanding of each other, stronger critical thinking skills, mental wellbeing and decreased stress levels; to significant public benefits such as social connection, self-expression and healthy childhood development. Studying drama, voice and acting builds communication, confidence and collaboration skills – these are the most transferrable skills to any future career. We start with where you are at. We find out your goals and then work with you to achieve them.

2. Why should we enrol in more classes…Don’t children and young people learn about the arts at school?

In the crowded school curriculum, the arts are often the first subject to have its time cut. Yet, it is the creativity, communication and collaboration skills, so integral to the live nature of the performing arts, that many employers value and seek. These skills take time to develop and hone. They also need regular practise to sustain. Dedicated Arts teachers do their best but there is simply not enough time in the school day.

3. How will you cater for the interests and ability level of my child?

During the enrolment process, we work this out with you and your child before we even start in the workshop space. You tell us what you want to achieve through the classes. We tell you how we’re going to achieve it. And then we get started. Along the way, it will be a three way communication where we all work together to achieve the outcome.

4. What do participants wear?

Due to the often-physical nature of our workshops, it is important to dress accordingly. You will need to wear stretchy durable clothes, plain black. Uniform is to be modest with no slogans or logos. Avoid anything too short or low cut. This requirement allows participants to better create and showcase character development and personality. The imagination therefore can take centre stage.  Please wear closed in soft soled shoes and socks, preferably all black (sneakers are fine). Shoes may be removed for some exercises however participants must wear shoes to and from the studio.

5. How are the fees structured?

We are not-for-profit organisation. Fees cover costs such as insurance, rent, production expenses and teacher fees. It’s important to note that our fees are all costs inclusive. There are no hidden stage levies here!

6. I’m not sure if they will like it. Can we try it out?

You sure can. Not only that, but we are so confident they will have a great time that we will offer you a FREE TRIAL to get started. Again, absolutely no risk to you! If your child attends the first lesson and decides it is not for them, it will cost you nothing.

7. Do you have professional qualifications?

All of our instructors have a drama or education degree. All our staff have Blue Cards of course and we have a registered Child Protection Policy in place. Our PSA program director, Dr Sharon Hogan has had over a decade of experience as a leading drama educator and a professional theatre director. Sharon oversees all of our curriculum and the training of our teaching teams.

8. How long has Perseverance Street Academy been around?

PSA is new, this is our second year… however, the people running it have been doing this for a long time.  We’ve been doing it for over 10 years and we’ve been teaching children and young people for well over 40 years. Good news is, we don’t see the finish line either – we plan to be here for a long time doing what we love!

9. Are there expectations around behaviour?

Trust, empathy, respect, and connection are our core values at PSA. We require all participants and facilitators to adhere to these values. Please see our terms and conditions for more information.

10. What if we’re late?

Time is our most precious resource. Please remember to be punctual so that sessions can start and finish according to the timetable. However, if something unexpected happens occasionally, don’t panic, we would rather see you at class if you are running a little late than not see you at all.