Testimonials
"An excellent and detailed adjudication. Thank you"
Susan Ryder St John's Players secretary.
"I thought Emily's 'crit' of the St John Players 'See how they run' was excellent. It was a very comprehensive and thorough piece of work, which has provided us all with some excellent feedback."
Paul Gait, St. John's players stage manager
"Acting Up is our son's favourite activity all week, by far. He is super enthusiastic about going, and comes away bubbling! Emily is a very talented teacher who clearly knows her stuff!"
Liz
"Great course for all involved. With Emily Hastings talent leading the way. Have seen her perform in many productions and her "acting skills "are first class.
"Caitlin (age 4), had an amazing time at drama on Saturday. She came home all excited. We got to hear all about her yummy pretend picnic. She said she also pretended to feed some ducks and said that she took a baby swan to join the picnic. Her Nana said she could almost see and taste all the food."
Elaine
"Thank you so much for coming to do an Easter Based Drama session at our youth club. The kids responded really well to it, much better than I thought they would and it was clearly adapted to suit them. It was great fun. Thank you!"
Rebekah, Defford Youth Club
"My two boys regularly attend Acting Up! Before they began, both of them lacked confidence and were reluctant to speak in public but since they have been going to the drama classes their confidence has grown immensely. They will involve themselves in activities they previously wouldn't have dreamed off and I have noticed the positive changes in them in every day life. Above all they had a lot of fun with their friends during the sessions. I am really grateful to Emily for her help. She is amazing at what she does and I am sure many other children will benefit as mine have."
Michaella
"I appreciate everything you do in your classes, they are fab and provide a fantastic opportunity for children. It takes me back to something l loved as a kid. I wish you every success with your business."
Kate, Mum of two
"My son really enjoys your drama sessions. He is impulsive and doesn't always cope in certain situations but this is the only group that he's wanted to attend every week! He comes alive and is thriving in class"
Jenny
"My daughter has really grown in confidence since attending acting up. Drama is her passion and she loves the classes. What's more they have actually been helping with her school work, particularly when it comes to English or producing presentations. It seems the ground work for these has been covered in drama standing her in great stead, and giving her a head start at school. Thank you"
Vicky
I have attended Acting Up! for the last nine years since I was 8years old. Its been a vital and consistent part of growing up and amazing to find like minded people. Thank you for all the grest memories you provided at the end of term. I am staying on as a student teacher to help out other young people. Melissa 17
I remember my first day in your Acting class several years ago, immediately I felt welcomed in to a friendly environment full of people just like me. Thank you so much for casting me in the lead role of Ellie in our show at the theatre, it was a dream come true for me, I loved every moment on that stage with the lovely cast. Thank you for your time writing and putting together an amazing show. I was utterly amazed with the outcome. Best show ever. It was amazing you writing a script to include everyone. Lastly thank you for supporting me in my acting journey. I am very pleased to be in a drama group, but even happier in yours. Thank you so much.
Caitlin 12
Best Teacher Ever! Thank you so much.
Honor, 9
Thank you for all the opportunities you have provided, all the support, encouragement, flexiblity and understanding. Its been fabulous watching our daughter on stage. Joining drama has given us memories to treasure. Thank you so much.
Sharon
Thank you for having me at drama, it has massively helped my confidence and means a lot to me. I have made some great friends and really enjoy the classes.
Lily 12
Thank you so much for everything including the role of Lauren in the show, the opportunities, enjoyment and just being able to attend. You've been an amazing drama teacher, thanks so much.
Tia, 12
Another amazing show, thank you so much for once again giving our son the opportunity to do something he really loves. He has grown immeasurably in the nine years he has been doing drama with you.
Lissa
You should be so proud of yourself writing and directing a show as good as Hope Street was. What a year its been, I cant wait for more shows to come.
Millie, 17
What an amazing performance you put together. It was so professional. We thought of you all weekend and how stressed you must be feeling, but it was 100% worth it and we were blown away. Everyone was buzzing afterwards and the sense of "drama family" you have created was palpable, It truly is so special. A place where young people can come together and have a creative outlet but still be their authentic selves. There arent many places like it. Thank you also for your kind words and award for our daughter. She was so shocked and had a glow about her the whole weekend. I was so proud of her resilience. She has taken a huge step forwards and seen the end reward. You're an amazing teacher and we were so glad to have found you.
Nancy
I have been having private tuition with Emily for four years now and during that time we have covered a vast number of areas including working on several monologues for performance, audition technique and have undertaken improvisation and character work. We have also looked at staging, projection and diction. Within this time and with Emily's careful guidance, I have successfully undertaken many theatre roles including a short play festival and some high level shows within the Cheltenham Theatre Network. I have been in one of Emily's productions and intend to do more, and have showcased my monologues at various open mike nights and variety shows. I now have quite repertoire of pieces. One of my higlights has been working towards Lamda acting exams with Emily. Last summer I undertook my Bronze level and received a high distinction and 97%. I am now working towards the silver level exam which I will take in November. All of the above had been such a great experience and confidence boost. Thank you
Lucy
My two two boys adore your classes. It's been such a pleasure to watch them progress with you and see them on stage.
Lara
My three girls love your classes and always have, its the highlight of their week. Thank you
Anna
- I am blown away by what a lovely, inclusive group of young people you have there. My son has truly found his people, Usually he struggles socially, so this means the world.He has come on so much in the last couple of years, in terms of his performng and confidence and cannot wait for the next show. He took the program in to school to show everyone. Unbelievably proud.
Nikki
Wanted to say a huge thank you for all the hard work you put in. What a show! Thank you for your words of encouragement to our daughter, she came home absolutely buzzing. They all did amazingly well and should be so proud of themselves as should you.
Emma
Hope Street was one of the best experiences of my life. I have never done a show quite like that, at a proper theatre before. The experience was incredible and I can't wait for the next one. Thank you so much.
Kai, 12
My daughter LOVED her first session and couldn't wait for me to sign her up. I'm so pleased to hear she settled in so well. She is excited to come again.
Stacey
Another fabulous show. We loved it and so did the grandparents. All your work was so worth it and we cant wait for the next one. Our son was on such a high from it too. Thank you
Jo
My son is not in maintstream school and often needs one to one, so its been difficult to find an extra curricular activity for him. We've felt for some time that drama might be the way forward as he is very expressive and imaginative, but it was a case of finding the right fit. We are thrilled to have come across Acting Up! You tick all the boxes and are able to provide him with one to one support if he needs it, and work in small groups, which is just perfect. He feels understood with you guys and he can really be himself. I'm so glad to have found you as I think there will be some brilliant opportunities for him.
Marie
It's been a while since I've done any drama - probably school - but I've wanted to venture back in to it for some time, so it was perfect timing finding your adult class. I was a bit nervous to come initially as I didnt know what to expect, but I needn't have worried. Emily instantly put me at ease and you couldn't meet a nicer group of friendly and inclusive people who attend the session, all ages and backgrounds but everyone wants the same thing and gets on brilliantly and we just have so much fun. I think I will make somre good friends here. I love the impro activities and look forward to working towards a performance with the group as well. You really can do as much or as little as you want.
Laura
I have been having private tuition with Emily for four years.
I can't believe how much we have covered and achieved in that time.
We have worked in areas of general performance, improvisation, character development, diction, audition techniques; as well as preparing for performances.
I have performed a number of monologues at open mic evenings or similar events.
We have also followed a structured syllabus in preparation for LAMDA exams.
I have already auditioned for a handful of plays, gaining a lead role in a short play festival, and high level shows within the Cheltenham theatre network.
My biggest acheivement so far was achieving 95%, a high distinction, in my first LAMDA exam (Bronze Level Acting). I am now working towards the Silver.
I have had the privelege of Emily's teaching within my private lessons, but also at larger group rehearsals and adult sessions.
She works incredibly well with all ages and abitlies, which really is a rare quality.
I can't believe the amount we have acheived together in such a short time.
Emily has opened up so many opportunities for me and continues to be a positive influence on me as a person.
I can't recommend Emily highly enough.
Corinne
I have been with Emily at Acting Up! for many years. It has been an incredibly enriching experience, and Emily has really nurtured my talent as a performer. I have played a variety of different characters including Susan and Thea in Jack I Am, - an original piece about a young carer, Susan was a caring adult, and Thea was a student, so these roles were pretty varied, In Glitz, which was an adaptation of Grease I played Caitlyn, head cheerleader, and Lila, who was a villain, so again very different characters. My final production was Hope Street, based on Annie, where I played one of the lead females, Violet Green, who was based on the role of Grace.
Through Acting Up! I have developed my acting skills, but also had the chance to try signing and dancing. Emily also gave me the opportunity to help direct a show for a younger group of children.
In preparation for a LAMDA exam, Emily is just as helpful and thorough and I feel very well prepared.
Emily has always been supportive and inclusive.
Dani, 18