Classes: As we celebrate 29 years (in 2026), we will continue with the leading curriculum for Australian performers, designed to get them into the university courses and employment they dream of. Focussing on what is needed, our 2026 (and beyond) courses are designed to build technical skill sets, audition technique, and individual resumes with solid credits that will interest industry professionals such as casting directors, directors, music producers, universities, and employers. Our Performance Stream (PS) and PPMT Musical Theatre Programme (PPMT) for students aged 16 and above is designed and taught by those actively working as professional performers with credits in shows people will know. PPMT – Musical Theatre will have you working with those currently in shows every week.
Our approach works – and the list of alumni working in both Australia and overseas is testament to this.
If you are a beginner, it’s never too late to get started. The School at AIPA offers a range of weekday classes for you to get fit, gain skills and possibly move into a development course if you have the skills and dedication to keep up.
The School at AIPA’s classes are structured and follow a syllabus and we encourage you to read about each programme below.
- 4.15 – 6.15pm PPMT Musical Theatre
- 6.15 – 7.15pm Vocal Extension
- 7.15 – 8.15pm Dance Extension
- 8.15 – 9.00pm PPMT MT Performance Adults
Monday PPMT Musical Theatre is graded with two classes running simultaneously.
- 4.15 – 6.15pm Film Stream HS 1
- 4.15 – 6.15pm Film Stream HS 2
- 6.30 – 7.30pm Jazz Technique
Tuesday Film Stream is graded with two classes running simultaneously. Designed as Year 7 – 9 and Year 9 – 12
- 6.00 – 7.00pm Contemporary (Ballet technique)
- 7.00 – 8.00pm Open Acro+tumbling
- 7.00 – 8.00pm AIPA Barre for fitness
- 6.00 – 7.00pm Extension Tap (open class)
- 6.00 – 7.00pm Exam and Syllabus class
- 7.00 – 8.00pm Glenwood Syllabus class
- 9.00 – 1.00pm Acting in Motion (AIM)
- 9.00 – 1.00pm PPSS Pre-professional stage and screen
- 1.30 – 6.00pm Performance Stream
- 1.30 – 6.30pm PPMT – Musical Theatre
- 6.00 – 7.00pm Song and Tap
- Acrobatics & tumbling – Wednesday
- Ballet – Wednesday
- Dance Technique – Tuesday
- Dance Extension – Monday
- Contemporary Ballet tech – Wednesday
- Dance Technique – Saturday
- Choreography – Saturday
- Musical Theatre performance – Monday and Saturday
- Performance Stream – Saturday
- Extension Tap – Thursday
- Syllabus Tap – Thursday
- Commercial Hip Hop and Commercial Jazz – Saturday
- Musical Theatre performance – Monday
- On camera (Film Stream) – Tuesday
- Pre-professional scene study – Tuesday
- PPSS – Saturday
- Performance Stream – Saturday
- Musical Theatre – Monday
- Vocal Extension – Monday
- Performance Stream – Sat
- Vocal Rep – Mon, Saturday
- Musical Theatre performance
The School at AIPA’s 2026 development courses are highly responsive to students’ needs and the ever-changing industry. We are focussed on the students and their individual growth. We set the bar high and then encourage students to push it to where it could be. We want them to discover their potential, define it and explore further. Where can they take themselves and their audiences creatively? Our vision for the next decade is to create an environment that simulates the situations and places they will be going into. Theatres, sets, studios – the future. The attainable future for those who want to achieve. We train creatives and performers alike to question what an artform can really be and then take us
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS 2025 A-Z
ACTING IN MOTION (AIM)
Saturday 9.00 – 1.00pm (Age 8 +)
Ages 8 - 20 years. Students are placed into ensembles based on experience, skill, age and ability.
Acting in Motion is an opportunity for students to explore their craft in an ever-changing industry. Whether it be for stage or screen, AIM students are taught how to explore situations and material to tell a story. We encourage them to get out of their heads and into the audiences’ senses with regular performances, both inhouse and staged. This is a physical course where you learn by ‘doing’, not sitting, and taking notes.
Classes are taught by some of the best tutors in the Australian industry who have extensive bodies of work and proven credits and success (See staff bios). Actors will be cast into ensembles and will work through different modules of the syllabus that build on each other. Students are given the opportunity to be represented, with the agency actively looking for opportunities for each student. Casting professionals & directors will visit classes and events to offer advice and interact with students, keeping them connected to the industry that they are training for. If you are looking for a challenging, professional course where you can fail safely, take risks in performance, find yourself, and find your voice, we are waiting for you.
ACROBATICS & TUMBLING (OPEN CLASS)
Wednesday 7.00 – 8.00pm
Our current General Acro class has been following a structured, consistent format designed to develop foundational skills. However, we recognise that every student progresses at their own pace, and to better support individual growth, we run a more personalised acro class. This class will be based on each student’s unique level and abilities. Rather than adhering to a more fixed format, the programme is tailored to meet the specific needs of each student, helping them advance from where they are. This approach allows for a more flexible and specialised training experience, ensuring that each student can focus on the skills that will benefit them most. I believe this will create a more engaging and supportive environment for all students, leading to quicker progress and greater confidence in their abilities.
JUNIOR CHEER
Wednesday – please enquire
This class combines dance and traditional cheerleading skills into energetic routines set to music. Cheerleading promotes fitness, self-esteem, and teamwork for all skill levels and is one of the fastest growing co-ed sports. We recommend students in this programme enrol in Acrobatics and Tumbling class on Wednesday afternoons.
CONTEMPORARY (BALLET TECHNIQUE)
Wednesday 6.00 – 7.00pm
In this class students will have the opportunity to explore ballet, contemporary and lyrical through a module based programme. The programme will also develop through each term based on students and their development needs. The first 45-minutes is a technique class – ballet and contemporary/lyrical including ballet barre and centre work along with pirouettes and jumps. Essential training for young performers the technique component will focus on body alignment in warm up techniques, footwork and upper body movement, floor work, off balance, counterbalance, contact partnering technique, strength and conditioning, jumps and pirouettes and improvisation techniques. The second 45-minute class will be either ballet repertoire, lyrical or contemporary choreography with the opportunity to learn how to create your own solos or choreography. Overall, the class focuses on strengthening and solidifying strength, technique, and artistry to become a strong and expressive dancer learning within a supportive, encouraging and safe environment. This class will suit students new to dance and those with experience. Students will showcase their talents at the annual concert (Term 4).
DANCE EXTENSION - NEW IN 2026
Tuesday 7.15 – 8.15pm
This class is in addition to Performance Stream Dance classes in Commercial Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary. It can also be taken as a stand alone class and will focus on developing technique, core strength, fitness, endurance and agility. Designed to improve the dance development of all round Triple Threat students to a professional level, it will cover all styles of dance.
For actors and singers wanting to improve dance technique call the office for options.
FILM STREAM
Tuesday 4.15pm – 6.15pm
Film Stream is designed for students who love to act, love film, and have indicated that they would like to be involved in films and television production. Classes are streamed into age group, experience, and ability. This course is hands on and students will have weekly homework that needs to be completed in order to stay in the class. Students shoot pieces each term that are then shown at film nights throughout the year and can be shared with family and friends. Students receive IMDb credits for the short films and web-series made, giving them a solid foundation in screen and helping them to actively build their resumes. Film streams levels allow students to work through the syllabus, which is built on industry standards and taught by industry professionals.
FILM STREAM ONLINE
Day and time TBA
Film Stream online is designed for students who love to act, love film, and have indicated that they would like to be involved in films and television production – but cannot make it to weekly classes due to distance. Classes are streamed into age group, experience, and ability. This course is hands on and students will have weekly homework that needs to be completed in order to stay in the class. Students shoot pieces at the end of each semester that are then shown at film nights throughout the year and can be shared with family and friends. Students receive IMDb credits for the short films and web-series made, giving them a solid foundation in screen and helping them to actively build their resumes. Film streams levels allow students to work through the syllabus, which is built on industry standards and taught by industry professionals.
INDUSTRY FOUNDATION COURSE (IFC)
Saturday 1.30 – 6.00pm (Technique)
Industry Foundation Course (IFC) - High School (Int/Advanced)
Ages 13 - 16 years Saturday 12.30pm - 6.00pm
Ages 15 - 25 years. Years ten to second year uni equivalent.
If you are passionate about musical theatre performance and know that you are destined to be a professional performer, you need to be trained by them. It’s all about relationships and learning from those who work professionally on and in shows. IFC teaches you how to apply for open calls, compete at auditions, and have the correct audition etiquette so you are confident but not precocious. You’ll learn how to sustain a performance, so you can give to each audience. Classes are performance based and include Dance Audition (choreography), Stage Performance & technique (acting), Vocal technique & performance (singing) and Dance technique (Cardio, leaps, turns & stretch). Designed by working professionals in the Australian and touring show industries, the classes follow a curriculum with measurable learning goals and regular performances. Within each ensemble, there are levels and performers are assessed twice a term so that they can tick off skills and move to the next level. Saturday classes ensure a thorough training ground for the industry. The Monday masterclasses introduce students to different members of the professional industry. Classes are taught by resident and working professionals who have trained for it, live it, and are the best people to teach it! (See staff bios)
PERFORMANCE STREAM
Saturday 1.30 – 6.00pm
Years Three – Year Twelve (Streams divided by age, experience and ability)
Performance Stream has been running at AIPA for twenty years and has turned out some wonderful performers who have gone on to study fulltime at WAAPA, VCA, NIDA, NYU (New York), UCLA (California), RAADA (London) and other world renown schools. Students have also gone on to Australian tours of professional shows such as RENT, Mamma Mia, Sound of Music, Little Women, Billy Elliot, Jersey Boys and many others. Performance Stream is designed for intermediate to advanced Primary and High School Triple Threat Students who want to train in an all-inclusive and supportive environment with great teachers. This four hour programme includes one hour of Contemporary technique (ballet), Commercial Jazz, Commercial Hip Hop, Musical Theatre Song & Dance (traditional musical theatre) and Drama. An additional acrobatics skills elective is offered during the week and Tap on Thursday nights is strongly encouraged. A great programme for aspiring performers interested in a Musical Theatre or acting career. This programme is divided into grades by skill and previous experience/demonstrated ability.
PPMT - Musical Theatre Performance
Monday 4.15 – 6.00pm
The only weekly course of its kind in Australia, PPMT is designed to give musical theatre performers the opportunity to learn from working industry professionals. Taught in four-week modules, the course moves at a quick pace to teach essential recall and performance skills. “Learning by doing, everyone gets the opportunity to show what they can do”. If you love musicals, then this class will be heaven for you! No favourites, no politics, each module brings in two new professionals from a new show to work with you and give you ideas and experience. This is a great way to build relationships in the industry and see how possible and rewarding a professional career in musical theatre can be.
PPMT - Musical Theatre (PPMT)
Saturday 1.30 – 6.00pm (Technique)
If you will be applying to VCA or WAAPA in 2026 or 2027 for Musical Theatre then this course will definitely help you understand and prepare for the three-year courses they offer. Designed and taught by recent graduates of the two schools, your tutors will drill technique, provide insight, run audition classes, help with audition material, and teach from a firsthand experience. Quite simply “you can’t help people prepare for the course unless you have DONE the course”. The four hours of class comprises of audition and performance technique in acting, singing and dance. PPMT is a 12-month commitment with the option of continuing in 2026. We strongly recommend that students enrol in PPMT Musical Theatre Performance on a Monday to work with working industry professionals currently in shows touring Australia.
PPSS Pre-professional Stage & Screen.
Tues 6.30pm - 8.30pm - FILM
Thursday 6.30 – 8.30pm - STAGE
Saturday 9.00am - 1.00pm
Ages 17 - 25 years. Students must audition for this course or be invited to take a place. Enrolment is a 12-month commitment with an option to train in Los Angeles.
Pre-professional stage and screen is an opportunity for young adults to complete a part-time acting course designed to launch them into the professional industry in both Australia and the US. Covid has forced so many actors to press pause on their careers, PPSS allows actors to explore the industry in both Australia and the US and has been designed to give actors skills and adjustments to succeed in a post-pandemic world.
Focussing on practical skills, rather than theory, students learn by doing. Attending twice a week, students’ complete level four film stream curriculum and selected AIM modules specific to the ages and abilities of the group. Core modules include monologue, devised scene, play production, scene work, scene study, voice, improv, and performance. Each actor will film showcase scenes and will be given a reel to use. Students will complete the year with a dedicated showcase for industry professionals at Monkey BAA in November with casting directors, directors, producers, and production in attendance.
Classes are taught by some of the best tutors in the Australian industry who have extensive bodies of work and proven credits and success (See staff bios). Casting professionals & directors will visit classes and events to offer advice and interact with students, keeping them connected to the industry that they are training for. If you are looking for a challenging, professional course where you can fail safely, take risks in performance, find yourself, and find your voice, we are waiting for you.
VOCAL EXTENSION - NEW IN 2026
Monday 7.15 – 8.15PM
This class is in addition to Musical Theatre Monday and Performance Stream singing classes. It will focus on developing technique and student’s repertoire. It allows for individual development and offers an open audition once per term where students prepare a song and receive critique/feedback from an industry professional. Designed to improve the vocal development of all round Triple Threat students to a professional level. Come to class and build your book of songs!
REGISTER FOR YOUR FREE TRIAL
Please Register for a trial class using the following LINK
From Saturday 7 February
All extension and high school classes are open from Saturday 7 February to trial. Students are welcome to trial every class through the week – Monday to Saturday.
If you have any questions about these classes or would like to enrol your child please contact the AIPA office
Phone : 02 9966 5013, 0412 736 974 Email : theschool@aipa.com.au
