• Where is Emil Dale Part-time located?

  At Emil Dale Academy, Broadway, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, SG6 3PA.

• Where do the classes take place?

  Members train in the state-of-the art facilities in the main school home on Broadway! For more information on the facilities, click here.

  Facilities

• What do you do at Emil Dale Part-Time?

  We focus on all-round musical theatre training for people aged 3-21, providing our members with 3.5 hours of training each Sunday. Members meet 5 different teachers covering 5 disciplines every week, with the member experience at the forefront of everything we do.

  Every week, members get:

  An acting class, a singing class, a dance class plus a musical theatre performance class and one other class in any one of the disciplines.

• What time does Emil Dale Part-Time operate?

  Emil Dale Weekend School runs on Sundays, split into 11 age groups:

  09:00-10:00 (PeeWees class ages 3-5)
  10:00-13:30 (Ages 5-12)
  14:30-18:00 (Ages 13-21)

  Extend

• Do you offer any additional classes at Emil Dale Part-Time?

  Yes! Emil Dale Part-Time has optional classes that members can do in addition to their weekend school training. These include (click on the class name to take you to the correct page):

  • Extend
  • 1 to 1 singing lessons
  • Acting Company
  • Dance Company
  • Associates

  1 to 1 Singing

  Associates

  Acting Company

  Dance Company

  For information on how to apply for additional classes, email part-time@emildale.co.uk.

• Is there a uniform?

  Yes, we ask all members to buy an Emil Dale Part-Time t-shirt as part of their uniform, and we ask them to wear this each week.

• Do you need to audition for Emil Dale Part-Time, and if so what do you need to prepare?

  Yes, prospective members have to audition to get in to the school. The audition process is very informal, and prospective members do not need to prepare anything. They take part in the classes that are running on the day and will be observed by a member of the team.

• What are you looking for in an audition?

  We recognise that young people may not have any formal training or qualifications. We are looking for people who are keen and enthusiastic about performing, who take part in all the classes (even if it is not a discipline that they feel confident in), and demonstrate a level of talent and commitment to learning.

• Do(es) I/ my child deed previous experience?

  Previous experience is helpful but we are looking to welcome you/ your child in a fun performance environment and previous experiences are not required. We just ask that you/ your child is enthusiastic and willing to learn.

• Will I/my child be in a group of different age ranges?

  Emil Dale Part-Time has 11 age group classes, so the members train alongside people of a similar age.

• I'm not sure if I/my child will like the school, can I/they trial it first?

  Yes absolutely, we offer free trial sessions for prospective members to see if they would enjoy being part of the part-time school. To apply for a free trial, click here

  Free Trial
• If I/my child have had a trial, do(es) I/my child need to audition?

  If the prospective member has taken part in a free trial, the team can use this as a basis in which to look at someone to join the school rather than a second audition.

• What do(es) I/ my child need to bring each week?

  We ask all members to bring a bottle of water – we have water fountains that they can use to refill bottles. We have a tuck shop, so members can bring some money to purchase items at the tuck shop, or otherwise to bring a small lunch/snack box.

  We ask all members to bring a pair of trainers or soft dance shoes each week to change in to (not outdoor shoes), to protect the dance floors at the college.

• What do(es) I/ my child need to wear each week?

  We ask all members wear their Emil Dale Part-Time t-shirts each week, and that they then wear clothes suitable to move/ dance in. We recommend that members do not wear jeans or clothes that may restrict movement.

  We ask all members to bring a pair of trainers or soft dance shoes each week to change in to (not outdoor shoes), to protect the dance floors at the college.

• Do you have a café/ canteen?

  We have a tuck shop, so members can bring some money to purchase items at the tuck shop (drinks and snacks), or otherwise to bring a small lunch/snack box with them.

• Do you do any performances or productions?

  Yes! Emil Dale Part-time does a full-scale, huge showcase at the Gordon Craig Theatre every 2-3 years, with performance opportunities in between this such as a summer show for the afternoon school or small-scale performance viewings.

• Do I need to pay for any costumes for shows?

  Usually there is a small and basic costume element, and we try to give plenty of notice for members to obtain costume items. We would anticipate that any requests for costume items would cost no more than £20.

• Are there performance/ production fees?

  We are very proud to confirm that we do not charge members to participate in a production, and in fact members get hours of additional training/ rehearsals at no additional cost. In our 2023 showcase production, we calculated that members got an additional 52 hours of rehearsal/ training time at no extra cost.

• Are there any other hidden costs?

  We aim to be very transparent about fees and costs at Emil Dale Part-Time.

• Can I/my child defer my/their place?

  Yes you can, and providing there is space when you want to rejoin then there is no need to reaudition.

• Do you automatically get a place on the full-time school if you attend the part-time weekend school?

  The full-time school and part-time school are separate entities. There are no guarantees.

• How much does Emil Dale Part-time cost?

  The main school costs £93.75 per month, with a one month notice period if you wish to withdraw. Members will also need to buy a t-shirt which vary in costs depending on the size.

  For costs associated with additional classes, please visit their specific pages.

• Do you accept childcare vouchers or similar schemes?

  Emil Dale Part-Time does not accept childcare vouchers or similar at this time.

• Do you offer any discounts for siblings?

  Yes, please email part-time@emildale.co.uk for more information.

• Do you offer any fee waivers or scholarships?

  No, currently there are no scholarship or fee waiver options available for members.

• What are your safeguarding protocols?

  Emil Dale Part-Time has a permanent, on-site manager who oversees the booking of staff and follows up on all safer recruitment protocols.

  All members of staff at Emil Dale Part-time must have a DBS check.

  For the younger age groups, the members also have an "animation team" who are with the same team in all of their classes every week, so the members have a consistent familiar person they can go to. The animation team are always dressed in bright pink t-shirts so they are easily recognisable. They all have DBS checks, and some have chaperone licences also.

• To you accommodate any SEN or additional needs?

  Yes, we ask that you email part-time@emildale.co.uk to discuss the specific needs of you/ your child in order to take part and we can establish how we can accommodate them and welcome them to Emil Dale Part-Time. We do not place any barriers to participation and want every child to thrive and enjoy the thrill of performing.

• Can I watch my child/ family member/ ward in classes?

  We don't allow parents/ guardians/ family members to watch Emil Dale Part-Time classes, but if you have a concern about your child taking part then you are welcome to wait in reception whilst the classes are going on.

• Is there any parking on site?

  We don't have parking on-site, but there are a number of local car parks with varying length of stay:

  • Garden Square Multi-Storey (Rowland Way, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3JF)
  • Letchworth Town Hall Car Park (Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City SG6 3BX)
  • Morrisons also has a car park that is free for up to 2 hours
• Do you have to take part in all classes?

  Yes we ask anyone that joins as a member to take part in all of the classes for the main school at Emil Dale Part-Time.

• Do you have an agency?

  Yes! Our agency Dale Hammond Associates is our sister company, and we review members in the part-time school to invite them to join the agency. For more information, visit www.dalehammondassociates.com

Still have questions?

Contact us for more information.