About Drama Geeks
Our Story
How Drama Geeks began - and why it keeps growing.
Where it all began
I founded Drama Geeks in 2017 after returning to the North East following several years living in London. We began at The Little Theatre in Cleadon, with my mam handing out flyers for a free trial session at the local primary school. Around six children came along to that very first class, and incredibly, some of those original students from 2017 are still with us today.
- 2017 Founded
- 6 First class
- 2020 COVID Zooms
- 42 Returned
- Matilda First big musical
- 120+ Students today
Our first production starred just six children, growing to around fifteen for our first nativity performance. Then COVID hit, and like so many others, we were forced to stop in-person classes. Wanting to keep the children connected, creative and occupied during such an isolating time, I began running free drama classes over Zoom. In truth, it helped keep my own spirits up too.
Despite the circumstances, we had so much fun. I still remember our Zoom Olympics, where the children mimed different sports, playing musical statues so well I genuinely thought my screen had frozen, and creating music videos in our bedrooms with teddy bears. It became such a lovely little community during a difficult period.
When we were finally allowed back into the theatre, we returned to 42 children. I think parents were eager to get their children out of the house after such a long time indoors, but also our wonderful Drama Geeks families had spread the word to friends and others in the community.
We quickly outgrew The Little Theatre and moved to The Westovians, where we staged our first large-scale musical, Matilda Jr. It was a huge success and remains one of my favourite productions to date.
Before long, we needed even more space for rehearsals, as more and more children wanted to join us. Today, Drama Geeks has over 120 students across all our classes, with many children taking part in multiple classes and productions throughout the year.
More than a drama class
One of the most rewarding parts of Drama Geeks is watching the children grow in confidence and develop over the years. While some children come and go, we have a strong core group who have been with us for a long time and continue to achieve amazing things. They teach me just as much as I teach them.
Drama Geeks is, above all, a safe and welcoming space where children can express themselves, build confidence and be creative. Our warm-ups and games are designed to encourage teamwork, self-belief and communication skills that will help them in all areas of life - whether they go on to pursue theatre professionally or not.
One moment that will stay with me forever was receiving a picture from a little boy in our extra drama class. At the top, he had written:
"I love you Charlotte because without you there would be no Drama Geeks, I wouldn't know so many games and I wouldn't be so confident at school."
For me, that is exactly what Drama Geeks is all about.
Alongside rehearsing lines and learning blocking, vocals and choreography for productions, the children also develop valuable theatre skills both onstage and backstage - from microphone and costume changes to theatre etiquette and professionalism. At the start of every rehearsal, we have safety talks to encourage kindness, respect and consideration for one another and our surroundings.
We place huge importance on teamwork and remind the children that the ensemble is the heart of every production. They support one another through every success and every challenge. Our classes range from ages four to eighteen, and it is wonderful to see the older students guiding and encouraging the younger ones, while also learning from the younger children's fearlessness, imagination and creativity.
We have managed to offer a couple of funded places to students who demonstrate the ethos of Drama Geeks - dedication, kindness, hard work and positive role-modelling. As a small business, I currently reinvest almost everything back into the company to ensure our productions, costumes and sets are the very best they can be with the resources we have available. I would love to be able to offer even more funded opportunities in the future.
Being principal of Drama Geeks is something I feel incredibly proud of. It truly is my baby - second only to my three beautiful girls - and I care deeply about every single child who walks through our doors. It is rewarding in more ways than I could ever describe, and I continue to learn so much from these amazing children week after week.
- Charlotte