End of term letter July 26
HI Everyone Well it’s been a busy old year, don’t know why I say that with surprise, it always is! So this academic year has seen us have 100% passes in all our Dance and Drama exams, stage 3 very wonderful showcases performed in our own studio theatre and raising...
Newsletter
Dance with me Daddy
Hi AllJust a reminder that in aid of Fathers Day on Sat, Dd's, big brothers, uncles etc are welcome to join there children in their classes.
Grade 6 Ballet & Tap
Hi AllThank you for you responses to my email and I can now confirm that Grade 6 will now move to MondaysMondaysGrade 6 Ballet 5-6Grade 6 Tap 6 - 7This means that the Grade 6's wouldn't be needed on a Tuesday Term starts on Tuesday 1st Sept (Mon is a bank...
Summer Holiday Workshops
Showcase extra Drama Rehearsals
Hello, We are looking forward to the showcase in only 3 weeks!Reminder that tickets are on sale now. We have an EXTENDED rehearsal on Weds, so we will finish at 9pm if your child is doing drama in the showcase. Thank you for your support!
Send Fest 17th June
Runfest 12th July 2026
Hi All We have been asked to perform at:Runfest Sunday 12th July King Georges park Rayleigh We would like to perform some things from the show and other items we have been working on. We obviously need to know who is available. The performance will be at around 11.45...
May Half Term Work shops
Choreographic Showcase ‘The Process’ – Sunday 5th July 2026
i Parents,We are very excited to announce our upcoming Choreographic Showcase 'The Process' taking place on Sunday 5th July at 5:00pm!This showcase is particularly special as every piece performed will be entirely the students’ own choreography. Over the...
Halloween Parade
ear Parents/Carers,Mushroom Theatre Company – Halloween ParadeSaturday 31st OctoberFollowing the huge success of last year’s Halloween Parade, we are excited to be taking part once again this year.We are opening rehearsals to selected students aged 9 and above. As...
TERM DATES 26-27
TERM DATES 26/27 All dates are inclusive Autumn Term Tuesday 1 st September – Sat 25 th Oct 8 weeks Monday 26 th Oct – Sat 31st Oct Half Term Monday 2 nd Nov – Sat 19th Dec 7 Weeks Spring...
Dance clothing and Hair for Class
Dear Parent/CarerI hope you are well. We would like to kindly remind you of the correct attire students should wear when attending Dance classes. We have noticed a drop in the standard of appropriate clothing and hair. We do not enforce a strict uniform, however, we...
Drama & Singing Showcase
Hello, Thank you for signing up for the Musical Theatre, Singing, and Drama Showcase!Tickets will go on sale for this event soon! We'll send you an email when they do. Tickets are £8 per person. We cannot wait to welcome you on the 28th of June! Students will be...
Choreographics
Hi AllYou children may have mentioned our Choreographic showcase on 5th July. Rehearsals are well underway and we need to check that all of the students can make the date. please go through he link below to let us know one way or the...
Happy New Year – 26
Hi Everybody HAPPY NEW YEAR We hope you have had a great break and enjoyed some time with your families. Last term was a busy one with our ‘Lower School’ Dance showcase and taking part in the Halloween procession along the seafront in October. Rayleigh lights Switch...
Charity Ball – 17 October 2026
It's back! Our Charity Ball has always been a highlight of both our fundraising and social calendar, so we're pleased to announce the Charity Ball in aid of Equal People Performing Arts 2026 will be held at Saxon Hall, Southend on Saturday 17 October 2026 Tickets are...
MTC Newsletter Sept 25
SHED Dates Autumn/Winter 2025
12th September 3rd October 7th November 12 December 9th January 2026 6th February 2026
Dates
25-26.docx
Charity Ball – 14 June 2025
It's back! Our Charity Ball has always been a highlight of both our fundraising and social calendar, so we're pleased to announce the Charity Ball in aid of Equal People Performing Arts 2025 will be held at Saxon Hall, Southend on Saturday 14 June 2025 Tickets are £65...
Half Term Workshops
Contact us for more information or to book your place
20 Years of Celebrating Difference
Lee Mead and his friends Kerry Elis and Paul Zerdinare putting on a celebratory show along with the students from Mushroom Theatre Company to raise money for Equal People Performing Arts, the charity supported by MTC, on Sunday 27th October. Tickets and more...
Term Dates 2024/25
Autumn Term Monday 2nd Sept – Sat 26th Oct (8 weeks) half-term: Monday 28th Oct – Sat 2nd Nov Monday 4th Nov – Sat 21st Dec (7 Weeks) Spring Term Monday 6th Jan – Sat 15th Feb (6 Weeks) half-term: Mon 17th Feb – Sat 22nd Feb Mon 24th Feb – Sat 5th April (6 Weeks)...
Show at Palace Theatre – 27th Oct
HI AllAs you may know we have a 20th Anniversary show at the Palace Theatre Westcliff on 27th October with Lee Mead and his friends. This is a fundraiser for our Charity Equal People Performing Arts.We hope to perform some of the items from the last show and perhaps...
Summer BBQ – 13 July 2024
As the term (and school year) draws to a close, we're getting ready for the now customary Summer BBQ & Awards. The Summer BBQ & Awards is a chance for our lead provider, Mushroom Theatre Company, to reflect on the achievement of their students throughout the...
Show Photo’s
HI AllAt last here are the show photo's. Follow the link to view and buy.NB these pictures were taken at the Dress Rehearsal so if your child was too young to be present t you won't find them in any of them !https://mushroomtheatrecompany.pixieset.com/
I Found a Place
Hi EveryoneI do hope you all enjoyed the show and that your children had a positive experience. They certainly seemed to from our end and they were all so professional and enthusiastic, it was brilliant. Next year's show is booked for 8th & 9th April...
Amazon Smile
We all spend so much time shopping online nowadays and with Christmas coming up I wanted to let you know about Amazon Smile. If you shop with Amazon and go through our unique charity link on smile.amazon.co.uk with just one...
Word for Show Finale
For the finale of the show the children need to sing along with the last bit of the track: I sing the Body Electric from Original Motion Picture 'Fame' here are the words, if you can bring it up on Spotify and help them familiarise themselves it would be great Thank...
Rehearsal – Sunday 20th March
Just a reminder about this Sundays (20th) rehearsal: 9-10am - Student teacher training 10 -1pm - Full Company 1pm - Infants and SEND classes can leave 1pm - 4pm - General Rehearsal Please bring a £6 rehearsal fee. JUNIOR DRAMA The Junior Drama class have all been...
Photo
I need a photo of your child for the show. Please could you send me a picture of them stepping out of their front door, in MTC uniform with a big happy smile on their face in portrait. I have put an example on the FB page for you.
Disabled Parking at the Theatre
One of the parents received the following information regarding blue badge parking at the theatre: You can drop off right outside the theatre in Fairfield Road, and if you have a blue badge then you can park in the area just right next to the theatre in the same road....
Costumes
We are busy sorting and collating costume lists and we will have these out to you as soon as possible, but as you can imagine it is a mammoth task. In the meantime everyone will need: MTC T Shirt Black shoes such as plimsolls ballet shoes or clean black trainers...
New SEND Musical Theatre provision
Our Saturday morning Special Needs Music Theatre session has always been popular, and with building work nearing completion on Studio 3, we are preparing to extend the provision to two hours every Saturday (currently term-time only). From 25 April, the class will run...
Timetable Changes – 14 & 21 March
With mock exams to squeeze in, we're making some changes to the timetable for the next two Saturdays. Saturday 14 March Mocks Classes Time Studio 1 Time Studio 2 9.00 - 9.30 Grade 1 Ballet Maisie / Amy 9.00 -9.45 Prim & 1 Ballet non exam 9.30 -...
Half Term Exam Rehearsals
We've arranged some exam rehearsals for half-term week, as below. £5 a session. Monday 17 February 2020 9.30 - 10.30 Grade 4 Modern (girls) Studio 1 Grade 4 Modern (boys) Studio 2 10.30 - 11.30 Primary Modern & Tap Studio 1 Grade 4 Tap Studio 2 11.30 -...
Shows & Competition
We've got a few dates for you to make a note of... Choreographics Show - 28 March This will be a student showcase of all their own choreography performed to an audience of peers, parents and a panel of guest judges. See Bo or Hannah if you want to take part in this....
Exam Dates & Extra Classes (2020)
Exam dates have now been confirmed as 15 March Ballet 8 & 22 March Modern & Tap UPDATED 9 January As so many students are wanting to take their exam, we have an additional date as above. From Monday 13 January there will be additional exam Classes for some of...
Acro is back!
We're pleased to announce that Acro classes relaunch on Friday 27th September at 5.30pm Acrobatics classes will now be taught by Dan Chambers, who many of the students have met before at our Acro workshops. Classes are £6, and on a 'pay as you go' basis for now... but...
Tap Workshops
Conor will be running two tap workshops on Sunday 6 October 10am – 12.30 – GRADES 1,2, & 3 1pm – 3.30pm – GRADES 4,5 & 6 There will be a charge of just £10 for the workshops. These workshops are designed to complement the syllabus work, looking at style, form,...
Autumn Drama Production
Welcome back. Let’s hit the ground running, with an Autumn Drama Production The Productions will take place on Sunday 24 November: Back to Summer (Juniors) Our Day Out (Seniors) Students wishing to be considered for parts must be available on 24th all day. Rehearsals...
Month of Fundraising
Huge thanks to all who have got behind our "Month of Fundraising". It already looks as though we'll smash through £1000, so £2000 doesn't seem at all unreasonable. No pressure.... We've got some more great opportunities lined up for you though... Charity Car Wash This...
Bring Your Dad to Dance day – 15 June 2019
In celebration of Fathers Day we're having a "Bring Your Dad to Dance" Day on Saturday 15 June 2019, to raise funds for Equal People Performing Arts. £1 donation to the Charity, and a chance to see your Dads embarrass themselves... what's not to love?!
Can You Feel It – Show DVD
We are having a DVD of the show produced by Blatella Films. Copies of the DVD are available to order from reception, at a cost of £15 each (cash only) until Saturday 6 April.
Half-Term Reminders
Just a quick reminder about classes and rehearsals through half-term week. There will no classes during the week (Mon-Fri) but PALS will run as usual on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday 19 Feb Short Breaks Workshop Wednesday 20 & Thursday 21 Feb Show Rehearsals -...
Short Break Workshops 2019
Our Short Breaks workshop days for Children with Additional Needs continue to be extremely popular, and we have now set dates for all the holidays through to September 2019. These performing arts-based holiday workshops are for children up to 19, and are subsidised...
Show Rehearsals – February Half Term
WEDNESDAY 20TH FEBRUARY TIME STUDIO 1 STUDIO 2 11.30 – 12.30 Opening and finale (Whole Company) 12.30 – 1.30 Junior Drama Senior Street 1.30 – 2.30 Senior Drama Junior Street 2.30 – 3.30 Junior Dance Senior Dance 3.30 – 4.30 Singing (All) THURSDAY 21ST...
Happy New Year – Letter from Penni (2019)
Dear All, Ok, go and make a cup of tea and sit down for five minutes, this is a long one! MTC & Equal People Performing Arts I thought the beginning of a new year would be a good time to explain the relationship between Equal People Performing Arts (charity) and...
December News Update
In case you hadn’t noticed, Christmas is just round the corner and so here are a few reminders: Show Timetable From 3 December all Modern classes will move onto Saturday and the timetable will alter as follows: Tuesday 4.30 – 5-15 Grade 3 Ballet 5.15 -6.15 Grade 4...
Showtime 2019
We've booked the Towngate Theatre for a show... Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th March 2019 Show Registration The Show registration dates are: Thursday 13 December 5pm-7pm Saturday 29 December 10am-12pm All students are invited to take part and you MUST come along...
Christmas Drama Production
Our Junior and Senior Drama classes are performing A Christmas Ghost Story at the Studios on Sunday 9 December 2018. Performances Junior Dance 10.30am and 1.00pm Senior Dance 3.30pm and 6.00pm Extra rehearsals (please bring a £6 rehearsal fee to each of these): Friday...
Rayleigh Lights – 29 November
We'll be singing at the Rayleigh Lights switch-on on Thursday 29 November. Our slot is scheduled for 5.25pm, but all those involved should meet outside Boots at 5.10pm Please wear warm clothes. Santa hats, reindeer ears etc can also be worn if wanted. We will not have...
Hallowe’en Disco – 26 October
Having had to cancel the Family Quiz Night, we've decided to hold a Hallowe'en Disco instead. Friday 27 October, 5-7pm at the Studios. Tickets are available from Reception, £4 each.
Dance Exam Updates
We have requested the following dates for Exams to take place at the Studios, and will also be arranging additional coaching sessions beforehand. You should have already received a letter and reply slip if your child is ready to be entered for exams, but we need to...
Summer Holiday Workshops
Although normal classes stop during the school holidays, PALS will continue as usual and we have Workshop running throughout… and there’s Carnival Week too of course! Short-Break Workshops for children with additional needs are on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Sound of Silence
An exploration of what it means to suffer from mental turmoil. With each dancer representing the different emotions of the central character, the 'black dog' always overshadows the rest... https://youtu.be/MKKmU-cC-og We have this available in other formats if...
TERM DATES 2018-9
AUTUMN TERM Tuesday 4th September – Saturday 20th October (7 weeks) half term: Monday 22nd October – Saturday 27th October Monday 29th October – Saturday 22nd December (8 weeks) SPRING TERM Monday 7th January – Saturday 16th February (6 weeks) half-term: Monday 18th...
Easter 2018 at MTC
Raffle, Holidays and Workshops - all you need to know as you prepare for the Easter holidays. We currently have an Easter Raffle available at the Studios. Tickets are just £1 a strip. Thanks to Leah for providing the wonderful hampers. We'll draw the raffle on Easter...
Murder Mystery Night – 17 March
Fancy yourself as a bit of a Miss Marple or perhaps a Sherlock Holmes? Try out your detective skills and find ‘whodunnit’ at our Murder Mystery Evening with the Wesley Players. Saturday 17th March 2018 Arrive 7pm for 7.30pm start Tickets: Adult £8, Children £4 Bring...
Show DVD
All Media Works are recording the show again for us at the weekend, and parents will be able to buy a DVD for £20. Orders can be placed on their website using code MTC (case-sensitive) or by completing an order form from us and posting it to them with a cheque.
Final show update!
We're almost there! Tomorrow is a Dress Rehearsal at the Studios - please bring all the costumes that you already have. We know there may be a few odd things outstanding, and that's partly why the dress rehearsal is earlier than usual this year. Next Friday, 12...
Christmas and New Year
Term finishes on Saturday 16 December 2017, and we're back from Monday 2 January 2018. There is an Elf Workshop on 21 December, and Show Rehearsals on 27 and 28 December. To better accommodate the other show rehearsals and to ensure that everyone gets the classes they...
Alterations to Saturday Timetable from 18 November
To enable us to put the dance routines together we are combining the classes on Saturdays until after the show. Even if your child is not in the show they will still be included in the show work as part of their Dance Education. From Saturday 18th November the...
Show Rehearsal Schedule
Please find below a schedule of additional rehearsals for the Show. We do realise that some of you may not be able to make all the rehearsals but are grateful to those of you who have managed to juggle things around a little to squeeze everything in. We know it's not...
Half-term Show rehearsal
Rehearsals on Wednesday 25 October: 10am-11am - Junior Dance 11am-12pm - Senior Street 12pm-3pm - Senior Dance (1& 2) Please bring a £5 rehearsal fee.
Race Night – 18 November
Back by popular demand! We're pleased to be welcoming John Rawnsley from Raw Apple Communications to run a Race Night for us on Saturday, 18 November 2017 at Equal People Performing Arts, Rayleigh. Fish and Chips will also be arranged (sausage or veggie spring roll if...
MTC receives Gold Award
MTC has several different partners in the community, one of them being theYouth Service. As part of this partnership we are required to under go inspections. Consequently, last term our Senior Drama classes where observed by members of the Youth Commissioning Team and...
Show Registration
REMINDER Show Registration - Shows 13th and 14th January 2018 Please remember that to take part in the show the student must attend ONE of the following registration sessions: Saturday 7th October 10.30am - 12.30pm Saturday 14th October 2pm - 4pm 1. The student...
Term Dates 2017/18
Autumn Term Monday 4th September – Saturday 21st October (7 weeks) Monday 23rd Oct – Sat 28th Oct Half Term Monday 30th Oct – Sat 16th Dec (7 Weeks) Spring Term Tuesday 2nd Jan – Sat 10th Feb (6 Weeks) Mon 12th Feb – Sat 17th Feb Half Term Mon 19th Feb – Thursday 29th...
Welcome Back letter from Penni
Dear All, MTC Team hopes you had a great Summer and are looking forward to the next few months of Show Preparation and somewhere in the middle of that … Christmas! We had a very busy Summer holiday of workshops, the busiest we have ever had. Carnival week was a...
Welcome back!
School Holidays are over, and we're back with a new Timetable! Just a few quick reminders and notices to kick-start the term though... You will have received a "Personal Information Form" over the Summer - please return ASAP, or pick a new one up. It includes several...
Carnival 2017
A group of 40+ children/young people have spent all week making all the decorations for the float from recycled materials gathered from parents, family and friends. This is an integrated group of disabled and non-disabled children/young people working together to...
New Timetable from September
The growth of the Special Needs Musical Theatre class and the continued successes of many Students in the ISTD exams means we have to squeeze more classes into the week: a great problem to have! The new timetable along with a class list has been on display at the...
Summer Holiday Workshops
We have an exciting fun-filled summer programme lined up this year, with Workshops every Tuesday and Thursday and Carnival Week 14-18 August. As usual, the workshop days run from 10am to 3pm, and children should bring a packed lunch. The workshops are usually £15, but...
Summer Showcase – 17 June 2017
Tickets are now available for our Summer Showcase. taking place at Holy Trinity Church Rayleigh on Saturday 17 July. Our Singing and Drama classes (both Junior and Senior) have been working hard on this over recent weeks, and will be performing twice - 2.30pm and...
Workshop and Show Dates…
Half-term Workshops Half-term's approaching which means Short Breaks Workshops: Wednesday 31 May - Lion, the With and the Wardrobe (note - you do not need to bring yours) Thursday 1 June - Lion King workshop Workshops run 10am to 3pm. Packed lunch required. Summer...
Half Term Rehearsals – Tues 30 May
We'll be holding rehearsals both for exam students and for the Showcase on Tuesday 30 May. All sessions will be £5 per hour. Studio 1 Studio 2 Time Class Time Class 9.00 - 9.30 Primary Modern 9.00 - 10.00 Grade 3 Modern 9.30 - 10.00 Primary Tap 10.00 - 11.00...
One Step Beyond
Equal People Performing Arts have been commissioned to run four ‘One Step Beyond’ Workshops during the Spring of 2017. These workshops are aimed at helping the unemployed get into work, training or volunteering. Using Drama exercises and techniques, the workshops look...
Update to Term Dates
MTC will be closed on Saturday 18 February... the previously published Term Dates said otherwise, but Invoices are still correct. Apologies for any confusion! We've also updated the online Calendar for you 😉
Quiz Night – Sat 25 Feb
It's back! By popular demand, for one night only (until the next one) - our legendary QUIZ NIGHT! Saturday 25th February, 7.30pm, right here in our glorious studios. Tickets are just £7 per adult, with proceeds going towards the next phase of building work. Bring a...
End of Term Arrangements
As we come to the end of a busy term, we would like to invite you to come and watch your child's class next Saturday, 10 December. Although you may have already seen them recently in the show, we are sure you would also enjoy seeing the work that goes on in class each...
Christmas 2016
Well done to our Singers, performing at the Rayleigh Lights switch-on this week, and to all those involved in making the various items we were selling there - raising almost £90 for Equal People Performing Arts. We now have TWO wonderful Christmas Hampers to raffle,...
Final Arrangements for show weekend
As we cannot have a Dress Rehearsal at the theatre the following arrangements apply: Saturday 19th November 3-6pm Dress Rehearsal at MTC EVERYONE NEEDED Sunday 20th November (showday!) Arrive at Towngate Stage Door (by Westgate Car Park) as follows: 11am...
When will we learn – ambitious about autism
Did you know... over 1000 parents are forced to take legal action every year to get the right support for their child; 42% of classroom teachers say their training doesn't prepare them to meet the needs of children with autism; 45% of children with autism have been...
Additional Show Rehearsals
Students are doing a fantastic job preparing for the show, with 86 registering on the show registration days! As usual though, we'll need a few additional rehearsals to help bring it all together. Dates and times below, but if you have any questions or concerns, let...
Letter from Penni – September 2016
Welcome back! This term is going to be a very busy one with preparations for our next show so here are the details that you will need: Show – ‘Sunshine in my Pocket’ This year we are holding our show at the Towngate Theatre Basildon. We are all very excited about...
SATURDAY CLASS TIMES
As we are working towards the show on Saturdays and the grades are working together on the same routines (different levels) it makes sense for the classes to be at the same time. We have increased the length of the lessons as well (at no extra charge). Remember it...
My Feral Heart Trailer
End of Term Letter from Penni
Dear All, Just thought I would drop you an end of term letter to wish you all a great summer and to let you know of some dates and events coming up in the Autumn. Annual Show Our show ‘Sunshine in my Pocket’ is booked for Sunday 20 th November at the Towngate Theatre...
Studio 29 Autumn Programme
Our exciting social group for disabled young people and those with additional needs aged 13 and over, has announced its Autumn Programme! Held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6.30pm till 8pm in our fully accessible Studios; just £5 a session. For more information...
You’re the one that we want… at our Grease Workshop – 4 August
We've had a lot of people ask for a Workshop Day based on the hit musical Grease. You don't have to be a beauty-school drop out or have tears on your pillow; but if you were born to hand-jive and think that love is a many splendoured thing - or you just want to come...
Disney Dance Party – Tues 2 Aug
Come and join us for our Disney Dance Party on Tuesday 2nd August at Equal People Performing Arts in Brook Road, Rayleigh. A fun afternoon, dancing to well known Disney tunes with prize games and activities, children can dress up as favourite character if they want,...
Inner Voices – review
Our new Inner Voices group has been well received, with a growing number of regulars enjoying themselves on a Wednesday evening. One of the regulars sent us the following review: Inner Voices has been running for 4-5 weeks now and numbers are increasing each week. Its...
NEW Yoga class in Rayleigh
HUGE congratulations to our professional dancer and teacher, Ellen Bubb, on qualifying as a Hatha yoga instructor. She completed her training and qualification whilst in the USA recently, and what better way to celebrate than with a new Hatha Yoga class at our Studios...
MTC now a Children’s University Learning Destination
We are delighted to be a learning destination (Membership) Partner of Essex Children's University. The Children's university is an extra-curricular learning programme which takes place outside of the classroom. It encourages children aged 5 to 14 to try new learning...
IMPORTANT: Additional Exam Rehearsals
Friday 24th June & Friday 8th July 4.30 to 5.30 Grade 2 Modern 5.30 to 6.30 Grade 3 Modern 6.30 to 7.30 Grade 3 Tap Please bring £5 rehearsal fee. Thanks, Penni
2016/7 Term Dates
Autumn Term 2016 Classes start: Monday 5 September and run until: Saturday 22 October Half-term: Mon 24 - Sat 29 October Classes start: Monday 31 October and run until: Saturday 17 December Christmas Break: Mon 19 Dec to Sat 7 Jan Spring Term 2017 Classes start:...
Timetable Change – Sat 9 July
Mock exams will be taking place in Studio 2 on Saturday 9 July, so other classes will all take place in Studio 1. Some classes will be merged for the day, and some times have changed slightly, but we have tried to create minimal disruption, whilst ensuring no one will...
Summer Holiday Fun
Mushroom Theatre Company have a range of exciting activities planned for the Summer Holidays, including full day workshops themed around Little Mix, Grease, Annie and Justin Bieber; half-day Disney Dance Party, and Mad Hatter Tea Party; PALS and Junior PALS Activity...