top of page

New Studio FAQs
We are so incredibly excited that we will shortly be opening our own studio space designed especially for young performers! We know this exciting change will bring with it lots of questions, so check out our FAQs below and let us know if you cannot see the answer to your question at info@southsidetheatre.com.
All current Weekly Academy classes and private tuition lessons will move to the new studio from the Autumn Term (wk commencing 8th September), with the same timings.
Your trial will automatically be transferred to the new studio space. You will receive a confirmation email with this, and also an email cancelling the trial at our old locations. If you now cannot make this trial please do let us know and we'd happy to change it to another day if better, or hopefully be able to welcome you in the future!
We of course understand that this move may make it tricky for some to attend classes, but we would hate to lose anyone because of this, so please do get in touch if this is an issue and we can try and work out a best way to try and help your son/daughter get to class if possible, or help in whatever we can. I hope though with several local bus routes and parking options, that everyone is able to come over with us to this exciting new project! If not, you are of course welcome at a different day or time session, and we'd love you to give this a try, but if it still doesn't work we will refund your space.
The studio is spread across two floors with:
• Ground floor: main studio (lighting rig, sound system), rehearsal/dressing room
• Upstairs: two smaller studios (one creative lounge with sofas/bean bags, one class space), private tuition rooms, costume/props store, and office.
This is a place for our young people, so we will be coming to our young people for input on what they want to see throughout the studio too. More on this below!
Free street parking is available on surrounding streets nearby and a pay-and-display library car park (free after 6:30pm) is located across the road. There are also several bus routes 1 minute walk away (71, K2, K4, 465, 467).
Students will get their first glimpses off the studio in their first classes back on the week commencing 8th September.
Official launch event: Sun 5th October, 12-4pm – free workshops, performances, games, and more! More details to follow.
We will also be keeping you updated on the progress of the space across our social media channels.
The new studio address is 14 Elm Road, Chessington, KT9 1AW.
We are not planning currently on increasing any class fees.
We will still be continuing to use the amazing performance spaces for full-scale productions. Our smaller studio shows and sharing's will take place in our new studio space.
We will be making the announcement across our website, socials and mailing list over the next couple of weeks. We wanted to give you enough of a heads up, hence the early email, but we don’t want to announce it too soon to the public until everything is signed with the landlords/agents etc.
Yes, the building is fully accessible to the ground floor, with a ramp up to the entrance and a disabled toilet. Sadly there isn’t currently a lift up to the first floor, but once in the space we will continue to explore even more ways to make the space more accessible.
There isn’t currently anywhere for parents/carers to wait during classes, however being on a parade of shops means there are plenty of local places to wait including cafes, a pub and the library across the road, to name a few options.
Yes, this will definitely be the case. It won’t be immediately as we get the space fully ready, but we will let you know as soon as we are open for hirers.
We will be initially going to our young voices committee in the first case, but also once students return to classes in September we will be discussing with them their ideas and what they’d like to see the space used for. This is a space for young people, created by young people!
Yes definitely! We have lots of ideas that we will start to see towards the end of 2025 and into 2026 coming to fruition, including dance classes, drama classes for adults, screen acting, theatre tech course and so much more! Watch this space!
There are 3 key ways to help support us with this exciting project!
1. Support the Planning Use Application
Community backing is vital for approval for our change of use application with Kingston. A short, positive comment can make a big difference in showing how valuable this space will be. You can leave a comment here.(https://publicaccess.kingston.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=SYO95RNHHVY00)
2. Donate to Our Fundraiser
We want to kit out the space with the best possible equipment – furniture, lighting, pianos, storage, and more. Every contribution, large or small, will help. Donate by clicking here.(https://www.gofundme.com/f/your-town-your-stage-lets-make-theatre-happen?utm_campaign=man_sharesheet_dash&utm_content=amp13_c&utm_medium=customer&utm_source=copy_link&lang=en_GB&attribution_id=sl%3A969dde40-d628-4682-b4e3-78e50c1aac6e&ts=1755285088)
3. Join Our DIY Nights
On Tuesday 2nd and Wednesday 3rd September, from 6pm, we’re inviting students, parents, and carers to help paint and refresh the studio, plus build some furniture. Not a painter? Tea-making and encouragement are equally welcome! There are also some other little odd jobs. If you can’t make these times but will still like to help, there is plenty to do throughout that week, so do get in touch. Sign up to help here.(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfWONgnSvaEw7o6pmOtv_N4X_xH4Q9hbfRw_OiiPeyWLtgnfg/viewform?usp=dialog)
bottom of page
