With a BA in Drama and an MA in Drama education, you can imagine my excitement when my first child was finally old enough to join a drama and dance class. I was working in a secondary school at the time, as a Drama and English teacher.
 

When I finally sourced a drama class for my then 3 year old daughter, Meghan, I was informed that we would be welcomed to join on a "trial" basis. It became clear in the waiting room that the other parents were undergoing extreme anxiety and had their children warned to "behave" and "do what the teacher says at all times". I even over heard a mother explaining that she has watched xfactor with her 3 year old, so that she would understand that "she might not get through the selection process". 

​

At the end of our 4 week trial I was informed that my daughter didn't get through and would not be invited back. According to the teacher, Meghan wasn't focused for all of the lesson and was "twirling around", to which I said... "yes, because she is 3". To my horror, they actually gave balloons to the 3 & 4 year olds that did get through, so it was clear to Meghan and the other little boys and girls that they didn't get a spot in the class. 

​

This experience went against everything that I have ever learned about Drama. It's supposed to be a welcoming and joyful place that embraces all children and students for who they are. In my understanding of this subject, there is no such thing as a wrong answer, only various experiences and points of view. Having trained and taught Drama for a number of years, I felt that this school was a disgrace to our subject and profession. To actually encourage competition at that age and to make children feel small or less than for any reason was an outrage. The fact that the parents were buying into that mentality shocked me further. 

​

Two years after that experience, I left my permanent, pensionable job and opened Drama House. A haven for all things warm, welcoming and artistic. Our logo is a house with a heart, and that's what I wanted for my students, a home away from home, where they can be who they want to be and feel totally safe and secure while training with the best teachers in Dublin. 

​

This is what I strive for in each and every lesson. I hope you will find that we achieve it. 

With heart, Sarah 

 

​