Performing Arts
Anna Murton, a true theatre-maker and former Drama teacher at the International School Hilversum, and Jane Boogaard, former professional musical theatre performer (West End & on tour) and tv actor, are excited to be the co-founders of Centre Stage Performing Arts.
Their classes will help your child build their confidence, awaken their creativity and learn to work with others in a safe and fun way. They want to share their love and joy for live theatre and to see your child shine on stage!
About the Classes
In this energetic and supportive course, young actors will learn essential theatre skills including stage presence, character creation, movement, voice work, singing, teamwork and performance techniques - all leading to a fun-filled showcase for family and friends at the end of the year!
What we’ll explore over the first three months:
Welcome to the Stage!
Build confidence, make new friends, and learn how to move and work together on stage through exciting theatre games and activities
Acting with the Body
Stretch imaginations and explore physical acting using movement, body tension, tempo, flavours and the elements to create dynamic characters
Finding Our Voices
Discover powerful performance voices through projection, pitch, pace, pause, phrasing and fun vocal exercises
Bringing Scenes to Life
Work with scene partners to create exciting dramatic situations, explore storytelling and begin developing unique characters
How to build a Character
Dive deeper into character-building using fun “who, what, when, where, why, and how” questions, plus physical acting techniques learned earlier in the course
Lights, Camera… Action!
Develop character voices, learn stage blocking and movement, rehearse scenes, and use feedback to make performances shine.
There will be Open Days throughout the year for you to come and watch. Our goal is towards a variety showcase performance where students share their amazing work with family and friends!
Starting on Thursday 20th August 2026. These weekly classes will be taught in English.
Practical Information
Dates
Every Thursday during school term time: August 2026 - July 2027
Times
15h00 - 16h00 (7-11 years old)
16h00 - 17h00 (7-11 years old)
17h00 - 18h00 (12-16 years old)
Location
Het Annagebouw, Emmastraat 1, 1211 NE Hilversum It's the hall behind the St Vitus Kerk. There is ample free parking and space for bikes. The closest entrance is off the Schapenkamp. Doors will be open from 14h40 where there's time to have a little snack and relax before we begin at 15h00.
Prices (40 classes)
Option 1: €425 payment in one lump sum
Option 2: €150 x 3 instalments (August, December, April)
Payment is non-refundable after the first two lessons. If circumstances change please send us an email.
Register as soon as possible to guarantee your child's place. Once we receive your registration an email will be sent with payment details. Once payment is received, your child's place will be reserved.
If more than one child would like to sign up please fill in form separately for each child.
Many thanks,
Anna and Jane
Ms Anna & Ms Jane
Classes are led by Anna Murton, theatre-maker and former drama teacher, and Jane Boogaard, musical theatre performer and tv actor.
Anna has over 35 years of theatre experience, with the last 17 years teaching drama at the International School Hilversum (ISH). She has worked as an actor, clown, director and writer both in the UK and the Netherlands. Credits include the philosophical comedy, 'Night Train' with the Tellus Theatre Company in London, HEA’s Avenue Q, Chicago and a new original play, Morning Sun. She directed She Kills Monsters at the Cauldron and is currently directing Spring Awakening, the musical.
Jane recently returned to the stage playing Christmas Eve in HEA's production of Avenue Q in Amsterdam. She started her career straight after stage school, in the iconic West End musical Miss Saigon. She has toured the UK and Ireland with Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and acted for several years on British TV.
Testimonials
“I have been working in primary education for a long time and have seen some farewell musicals. The musical that Jane rehearsed with the students was of a high standard, the best one I have seen in the past 40 years. The students acted as if they had already taken acting lessons for a long time. The singing was of good quality, and the students supported it with appropriate dancing or other movements. There was also humor in the setting and scenes. I can definitely recommend Jane. She can really achieve a professionally performed musical with your students in a short time.”
– Trudy Hogenbirk, Head of School
“Our experience with Jane for the musical classes has been nothing short of amazing! It's clear that Jane not only has a deep passion for music and theatre, but also a special gift for working with children. She made learning fun and accessible for every skill level, helping each child shine in their role. Jane made sure each child felt important, no matter how big or small their part. This inclusivity and attention to individual growth was heartwarming to see, and the end result was an incredibly entertaining performance of Wonka that left all of us parents feeling proud.”
– Liesbeth, parent group 6
“Jane is a very enthusiastic teacher! Jane teaches us new techniques how to sing, act, and move to be on stage. I love that I’m learning how to act and sing together with my friends.”
– Dakotah (10)