Laxfield Children's Drama Club

Club History

Read the 2006 Trustee's Report.

The Club was founded in 1983 and became registered as charity #1002042 in 1990. It is run by a committee of 14 individuals. There are 13 committee members and one part-time paid member of staff.

The Club meets every week during term time and holds classes for four age groups. 8-9; 10-11; 12-13 and 14-15 year olds. The oldest children may elect to go on to study for their GCSE Drama exam with the club director, Louise Camplin. In all, about 78 children belong to the Club.

The children develop dramatic skills and talents through improvisation and workshops, led by the Club Director and with occasional input from dance and other animateurs. The children are encouraged to create their own dramatic responses to given themes, working in small groups and deciding themselves how best they would like to present a particular piece of work. With so much encouragement to explore, experience and decide for themsleves, the Club provides an invaluable environment for the development of personal and social skills, growth in self-esteem and confidence, as well as providing a firm grounding in dramatic technique and styles.

In addition to the weekly sessions, the Club has run a summer camp each year for the last 17 years, currently in the local seaside resort of Felixstowe. Camp lasts for 3 days, during which time the children develop dramatic pieces with the assistance of older students (who act as mentors) and staff. The children also visit the local theatre. It is often the children's first experience of staying away from home and, with the support of the other children and the sensitive (and stimulating) approach of the adults involved, it is inevitably a highly enjoyable event. In addition to developing artistic techniques and experience, the children gain immensely in personal confidence and social skills.

The Club is situated in the rural area of the Waveney Valley, where opportunities to engage in the Arts are limited by poor transport, a depressed local economy and lack of available places to visit. For many, belonging to the Laxfield Childrens Drama Club is their principal source of involvement with the Arts.

The Club is funded on the basis of fees; these are kept to a minimum and there are financial resources to support families who cannot afford to pay them. Where several members of the same family belong to the club, a reduction in fees is made, reflecting the Club's desire to make it as easy as possible for people to belong.

Only one member of staff is paid. The Club is highly reliant on volunteer staff, the goodwill of parents to assist with productions, and the support of local suppliers to provide staging, lighting and sound equipment at very reasonable rates.

Site design by Open Digital Solutions