Frequently Asked Questions
Classes
In our Busy Bees classes, parents participate and interact in the lessons with their child.
All other classes are independent (apart from your child’s very first lesson at Theatre Bugs). We find that if parents remain in the teaching area it can be distracting for the students, and students appear to get more out of the lessons when they are independent. Regular performances and demonstrations throughout the year ensure that you have many opportunities to see what your child gets up to in class!
We have several options available for trialing classes. First see our info about FREE TRIAL then contact our friendly office staff if you need further help.
We understand that sometimes due to our busy lives, holidays and illness, it can be difficult to get your child to their class every week – therefore we are happy for your child to ‘catch-up’ up to 2 lessons in any term. If you wish to do this, please book a suitable day and time with our administration staff.
Missed lessons can only be ‘caught-up’ during the same term and before the end of week 9 within that term, or week 5 in a performance term (Terms 2 and 4). It is advisable not to get in a habit of missing lessons and making them up at other times, as children respond better to consistency.
Due to the one-on-one nature of the classes, Private Singing/Dancing/Acting students are unable to ‘catch-up’ lessons.
If your child is going to be away from their usual lesson, please let our office know, even if you do not wish to make up the lesson.
Sometimes unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances may arise where you need to re-arrange or cancel your child’s enrolment.
Please see our Cancellation Policy for more information.
What to wear:
- Fairy Ballet students can wear a fairy dress of their choice.
- Butterfly Ballet students will be required to wear the Theatre Bugs ballet attire.
- All students attending ballet classes will require pink ballet shoes.
- All other classes will require a Theatre Bugs/Adelaide Theatre Academy t-shirt, which is automatically added onto your first term invoice at a discounted cost, and black jazz shoes (with the exception of Tap students who require tap shoes, and Bust-A-Move who require sneakers).
Please bring a named drink bottle.
Over 7’s may require a folder to hold scripts and song words.
See Class Performances below
Fees
Unfortunately it is not practical for Theatre Bugs to offer a sibling discount as the majority of our enrolments are in fact made up of sibling bookings, any discounts offered for this reason would have a large impact on the viability of the business. Although we are unable to offer sibling discounts, we do offer a 10% discount (and more for some of our specialty classes) for students who enrol in multiple classes.
Fees for each term are due before the end of the previous term – the date is always clearly stated on your invoice. After this date, vacancies are offered to children on our waiting lists so fees must be paid by the due date to secure your child’s place in the class.
If you can not make the full payment by the due date but want to keep your place in the class, contact our admin staff to make alternative arrangements.
Performances
- There is no charge to attend performances that take place in the usual class venue within the usual class time.
- Tickets for performances that take place in theatres, are required to be purchased. The theatres we use are primarily Helen Reid Hall, Unley Girls School (Unley Park) & Star Theatre (Hilton). Tickets are also required to be purchased for Private Singing end of year performance ‘Evening/Afternoon of Song’. All ticket prices are kept to a minimum.
- Students aged 7yrs and over, Butterfly Ballet 5yr+, Showtime and Mini Broadway perform in a theatre at the end of the year.
- Showstoppers, Performance Troupe, Senior Dance, Intermediate Dance, Junior Funky Dance, Broadway, Advanced Broadway, Mini Broadway, Butterfly Ballet 5yr+, Bust-a-Move, Tap, Showtime & private singing students also perform in a theatre in the middle of the year.
Costumes are an exciting aspect of performance! However, parents are not expected to sew complicated costumes – we either provide simple costume suggestions or have costumes available for hire or purchase at reasonable rates.
Class performances are in terms 2 and 4. All classes (apart from Busy Bees) have performances.
Term 2
The following will perform an in-house production during their regular class time at their regular venue as we approach the end of the term. These shows are free to watch but may incur a $10 Production Levy in lieu of this.
- Our preschool
- Combo
- Senior Musical Theatre (including Advanced)
- Youth Drama
- Acting for the Stage
The following will perform a Cabaret-style performance, where they will each showcase a number of routines they will prepare in class during the term. This is performed at a professional theatre, and tickets will go on sale a couple of months prior to the show/s.
- Showstoppers
- Performance Troupe
- Private Singing students
- Junior Funky Dance
- Intermediate Dance
- Senior Dance
- Advanced Broadway
- Broadway
- Mini Broadway
- Butterfly Ballet (5-8yrs)
- Bust-a-Move
- Tap
- Showtime
Term 4
The following will perform an in-house production, meaning it will be shown during their regular class time at their regular venue as we approach the end of the term. These shows are free to watch but may incur a $10 Production Levy in lieu of this.
- Our pre-school
- Combo 1
- Youth Drama
- Acting for the Stage
The following will each perform their End of Year performance at a professional theatre in mid-November. Typically each class will perform once, though more advanced classes may perform multiple times. A $30 costume hire fee will apply, meaning most or all of your child's costume will be supplied for the show. Tickets will go on sale a couple of months prior to the performance/s.
- Showstoppers
- Performance Troupe
- Combo 2
- Combo 3
- Combo 2-3
- Advanced Combo 3
- Senior Musical Theatre
- Advanced Senior Musical Theatre.
The following will also perform at a theatre, where they will each showcase a number of routines they will prepare in class during the term. A $30 costume hire fee will apply, meaning you will not need to source a costume for the show. Tickets will go on sale a couple of months prior to the performance/s.
- Junior Funky Dance
- Intermediate Dance
- Senior Dance
- Advanced Broadway
- Broadway
- Mini Broadway
- Butterfly Ballet (5-8yrs)
- Bust-a-Move
- Tap
- Showtime
Private singing students will perform “An Afternoon/Evening of Song” one day toward the end of Term 4. Tickets will go on sale a couple of months prior to the performance.
Students spend a week of the holidays rehearsing a performance, and perform the show at 5pm on the last day of the week (goes for roughly 45 mins).
The show is free to watch and parents are welcome to photograph and/or record their child’s performance as a keepsake.
Past performances include “Pinocchio”, “Alice in Wonderland”, “Peter Pan”, “Aladdin” and less well-known productions “The Grunch” and “Giants In The Sky”.
Privacy and Safety
Right here! Click Terms and Conditions.
See our Child Protection Policy
Holiday Programs
Lunch options are $7.50 each and you can choose four items from the following:
- Ham and cheese sandwich or cheese and vegemite sandwich
- Golburn Valley Fruit or small tub of yoghurt
- Fruit muffin or Tiny Teddies
- Savoury shapes or small bag of popcorn
Extras
- Spring Water – $3.00
- Chocolate milk – $3.00
- 2x Jumbo Pythons – $1.50
- Golburn Valley Fruit Tub – $2.00
- Small tub of Yoghurt – $2.00
To order lunch, simply write your child’s name and the items you wish to order on the front of a paper bag or envelope – enclose the correct cash and pop into the LUNCH ORDER BOX at Theatre Bugs Reception.
Please note: lunch items subject to change. If you want to know specific details or have special requirements, please contact the office on the day.
Absolutely! Every child is a star at Theatre Bugs. Read here for more.
Footwear
- All students must wear suitable shoes at all times. Black dance shoes can be purchased ($20) from Theatre Bugs.
Clothing
- All students should dress sensibly during the program. T-shirts, shorts, leggings, tracksuits and sneakers are recommended. Please name your child's clothing and shoes.
- Younger students are asked to pack a spare set of clothes in case of spillage or accident.
Art clothing
- The children will participate in a set and prop making session during the week and should pack an old t-shirt or smock in their bag.
Costumes
- Costume suggestions will be distributed on the first day of the program, once the musical has been cast. Please remember that we do not expect you to create an elaborate costume, we can provide very simple suggestions to help you! Find out more here.
Food and water
- All students need to provide their own lunch, recess, snacks
- Please bring water bottle with drink each day.
- Remember to pack extra on performance day as it is a longer day!
- THEATRE BUGS IS A NUT-FREE SCHOOL
General
In our Busy Bees classes, parents participate and interact in the lessons with their child.
All other classes are independent (apart from your child’s very first lesson at Theatre Bugs). We find that if parents remain in the teaching area it can be distracting for the students and students appear to get more out of the lessons when they are independent. Regular performances and demonstrations throughout the year ensure that you have many opportunities to see what your child gets up to in class!
Costumes are an exciting aspect of performance! However, parents are not expected to sew complicated costumes – we either provide simple costume suggestions or have costumes available for hire or purchase at reasonable rates.
We have several options available for trialing classes. Speak to one our friendly office staff for further information.
We understand that sometimes due to our busy lives, holidays and illness, it can be difficult to get your child to their class every week – therefore we are happy for your child to ‘catch-up’ up to 2 lessons in any term. If you wish to do this, please book a suitable day and time with our administration staff.
Missed lessons can only be ‘caught up’ during the same term and before the end of week 9 within that term, or week 5 in a performance term (Terms 2 and 4). It is advisable not to get in a habit of missing lessons and making them up at other times, as children respond better to consistency.
Due to the one-on-one nature of the classes, Private Singing/Dancing/Acting students are unable to ‘make-up’ lessons.
If your child is going to be away from their usual lesson, please let our office know, even if you do not wish to make up the lesson.
Unfortunately it is not practical for Theatre Bugs to offer a sibling discount as the majority of our enrolments are in fact made up of sibling bookings, any discounts offered for this reason would have a large impact on the viability of the business. Although we are unable to offer sibling discounts, we do offer a 10% discount (and more for some of our specialty classes) for students who enrol in multiple classes.
Fees for each term are due before the end of the previous term – the date is always clearly stated on your invoice. After this date, vacancies are offered to children on our waiting lists so fees must be paid by the due date to secure your child’s place in the class.
If you can not make the full payment by the due date but want to keep your place in the class, contact our admin staff to make alternative arrangements.
Sometimes unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances may arise where you need to re-arrange or cancel your child’s enrolment.
Please see our Cancellation Policy for more information.
There is no charge to attend pre-schooler, Combo 1, holiday program or mid year performances that take place in the usual class venue.
Students aged 7 yrs and over perform in a theatre at the end of the year.
Funky Bugs, Glee, Butterfly Ballet 5-8 yrs, Bust-a-Move Bugs, private singing students, Advanced 3/4 students and Combo 4 students also perform in a theatre in the middle of the year. Tickets for performances that take place in theatres are around $19 each.
The theatres we use are primarily The Forge Theatre (Marryatville), Odeon Theatre (Norwood) and Star Theatre (Hilton).
Right here! Click Terms and Conditions.