New Student Guide

YOUNG GAIETY AND COVID

All Young Gaiety classes are currently being held in person. We will update regularly on GSA’s Covid-19 response here. 

GSA has taken great measures to ensure that Young Gaiety classes take place in a safe environment – you can see the measures taken in the below video.

YOUNG GAIETY ETHOS

The ethos of Young Gaiety is Confidence and Creativity, two elements that underpin every class we offer. We strive to offer your child a supportive environment to grow in confidence and versatility as an actor.

Why Performing Arts?

LOCATIONS

We operate our schools in Rosemont Secondary School Sandyford, Malahide in Malahide Castle and Temple Bar.

CLASS INFORMATION

Class Sizes
We limit the classes to a maximum of 25 per group, with a maximum of 16 for ages 4-6. Our class sizes allow for an environment that is conducive to our mission to offer drama classes that encourage the development of both confidence and creativity in young people.

Your GSA Tutor
All of our Young Gaiety classes are led by trained facilitators with many years experience working with young children, in addition to experience working in the theatre and film industries.  All tutors and staff are both Garda Vetted and Child Protection Trained, guaranteeing that your child is safe and secure, as they learn. Learn more about our staff here!

What To Wear
Students should wear comfortable clothes and shoes as all courses include a degree of movement. The GSA does not enforce a uniform, however Young Gaiety T-shirts and Hoodies are available to buy from reception and online here! Members of the Youth Theatre Companies must wear all black.

What To Bring
All you need is enthusiasm, a bottle of water and an eagerness to learn. From time to time students may be asked to take in props and pieces of costume in advance of showcases.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I am curious about joining a drama class, but not sure if it is for me?
No problem, we have you covered! Every term the Gaiety School of Acting offer a day of FREE drama classes for children aged 4 to 18 years at our three Young Gaiety locations: Sandyford, Malahide and Temple Bar. If you enjoy your Gaiety School experience, you can sign up there and then for the new term, which begins the following weekend. The next Try for Free day is March 26th.

How many classes are there in a term?

There are 10 classes per term. Parents will be notified of weekends where there are no classes at the time of bookings and will receive reminders closer to the date. We also run camps during most school holidays – Halloween, Easter and Summer.

Do I pay per term or per class?

At the Gaiety School of Acting, we offer a number of payment options to make it as easy as possible for you to enroll in a Young Gaiety course. Full fees are due on the first day of term, or you can spread the payment over weekly or monthly installments throughout the course with our interest free direct debit payment plan. Please note there is a €10 direct debit admin fee when setting up your account. We also accept cash, credit/debit card, cheque, bank draft, postal order, wire transfer & gift vouchers.

Do I need to book in advance?

To avoid disappointment we recommend booking courses at least 7 days prior to the start date. We cap the numbers on our classes to ensure the ideal learning experience.

Do you offer discounts?

Yes, we do. Enjoy a 10% discount on any Young Gaiety course if you book and pay for 3 courses in advance. Alternatively, when two family members are attending Young Gaiety courses, both can avail of a 10% discount. It gets better, when three or more are attending, the discount rises to 15%. To avail of these discounts you must book over the phone at 016799277

Once the term has started, can I still sign my child up? Will I get a discount for the missed classes? 

Yes you are very welcome to join midway through a term as long as we have space, but we do not recommend missing more than 4 classes in the 10 weeks. Unfortunately we do not offer a discount for any children starting late in the term.

Is it ok to put my child in a class with his friend/cousin/neighbour and can you tell me which class they are in?

Unfortunately due to child protection policy and data protection law, we are not at liberty to divulge any other student’s information pertaining to which class the are currently enrolled in.

Do I need to have any previous experience to apply for Young Theatre Company, Young Performers Company or Musical Theatre Company?

Yes. The Young Gaiety Companies are the most advanced and intensive of our training for young people in the Gaiety School of Acting. Admission to these are by audition for students who have attended at least one other Young Gaiety course. We have a very limited number of spaces on these companies.

How do I book an audition and what do I need to do to prepare for it?

You can book your audition online, by calling (01) 6799277 or e-mailing info@gaietyschool.com. All of the auditions follow a workshop format. Students do not need to have anything prepared in advance. They will be observed working within a class setting. They will be assessed on how they take direction and their level of cooperation and teamwork. Generally students are successful if they have the confidence and skill required to work within a strong group.

My child has additional needs – can you accommodate them?

The Gaiety School of Acting is fully accessible and welcome all children to learn and grow through drama! Please chat to the coordinator or any of the staff here in advance of your child’s term starting to ensure we can make their GSA experience as happy and productive as possible for them.

When can I audition for the companies?

We hold auditions every September for Term One, and occasionally hold auditions (depending on company numbers) at other times of the year.