The Children’s Abbey Theatre School, known as C.A.T.S. was founded in 1990 as a musical theatre training ground for the children of the Manawatu.
Our aim is to foster and encourage self confidence and talent in the students and to give them an opportunity to perform on stage in a fully ‘professional’ manner with an annual production which is presented to the general public during the September school holidays each year. This is a major event and is rehearsed outside normal class hours, usually on a weekend day.
Classes are held at the Abbey Theatre after school hours. They are of one hour duration and the cost is $85.00 per term with concessions for second and subsequent students in a family and for early payment of fees.
Topics covered throughout the year include; Characterisation, Improvisation, Script work, Mime, Movement and Dance, Singing, Auditions and Theatrical make-up. Students are encouraged to participate in all activities, but are not pushed outside their comfort zones. There are twice yearly reports to give you an informal indication on how your child is going in class.
Classes are limited to 15 students per session and are split into age appropriate groups: Juniors (8-10 years), Intermediate (11-13 years) and Seniors (14-18 years).
If you are interested in enrolling, please either e-mail or telephone our Administrator who can post you out an enrolment form and an information sheet.
Contact Details
E-mail: admin@abbeymusicaltheatre.co.nz
Telephone: (06) 355 4165
TUTORS
Our Tutors have interests and experience in musical theatre and teaching.
Alan Dingley
Tutor
Alan has been in the Palmerston North theatre scene for 12 years and has a professional improvisation company called 'Scared Scriptless'. He has directed children's plays in schools and theatres, including "Man of Steel" in 2008 and "Rockin' Robin" in 2009. Alan enjoys teaching drama because he wants to pass on the fun and confidence that drama has given him. He is happily married and a baby daughter.
Kathleen McAlinden
Tutor
Kathleen is herself a former C.A.T.S. student and has been
teaching drama for five years, directing several C.A.T.S. annual productions during that time. Kathleen is a qualified teacher with a B.Ed. She works at Massey University with young children and has a passion for her work in both these fields.
Marya Hunt
Tutor
Marya ia a full time mother to her two small children. Marya brings to C.A.T.S. a very comprehensive musical and singing background.
She has sung in New Zealand, Australia and Japan in Opera and
many other vocal productions. Marya is at present studying extramurally
for a Bachelor Degree in Teaching Early Years.
Past Shows
"Once Upon a Stone"
"Jungle Fantasy"
"How the West was Warped"
"Man of Steel"
"Rockin' Robin"
