Wit Kids is a weekly drama and musical theatre program for children aged 5-12 years. The classes are offered at heavily subsidised rates, starting at just $55 per term. Sign up below, and we’ll invite you for a free trial.

Apply for Wit Kids weekly classes 2024

Please fill out this form and we’ll invite you along for a free trial class!

What people are saying about our classes

“…she absolutely loves your musical theatre class.  I think she's finally found something that she really loves.”

“…she's made friends and you've created a safe space. It's a challenging time for all, and for us learning to navigate life with a diagnosis has been an added challenge.  So I can't thank you enough for the support you give our girl.”

“The drama class was exactly what she required. Something so much more than I can give. Thank you thank you thank you”

“--- and --- are loving it. They can't get enough! Thank you, thank you again for everything”

“---- is enjoying your class so much! He has so much fun every week!”

“She has LOVED her sessions with you and I am so happy she has the taste for stage now!”

“…she comes out bubbling with energy and stories!”

“…she loves the game elements, and it's been great seeing her challenged to use her imagination and explore a sense of the ridiculous at times!”

“After the class he said it was GREAT!!!!!”

“---- absolutely LOVES your drama classes. She is so enthusiastic and happy about them”

Child Safety

All children who attend Wit Kids classes have the right to feel and be safe.

Wit Kids aims to create an environment where kids feel empowered to freely and playfully express themselves through performance. We want Wit kids to come to class to learn, have fun and make new friends. Part of this is creating a culture where children feel seen, heard and respected by all teachers and fellow students. We strive to achieve this on every level of our organisation.

Wit Kids is committed to providing an environment where First Nations children feel that their culture is valued and supported and where their identity and sense of self is encouraged. We have a zero tolerance policy for child abuse, racism, bullying or discrimination of any kind and the wellbeing of children enrolled in our program will always be our top priority. We extend our commitment to cultural safety to children from all cultural backgrounds. 

CHILD SAFETY OFFICERS:

If you have any questions, or would like to know more about child safety, please email Maddy at wit.kids@witinc.com.au or Emma at emma@witinc.com.au

Term class dates and times

Term classes run weekly, in line with school terms.

Term 1 2024 will run from 29 January - 27 March on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Classes are as follows:

Monday at Maribyrnong Community Centre:

• Junior Drama (5 to 8 years old) 4.00pm to 4.55pm

• Senior Drama (9 to 12 years old) 5.00pm to 5.55pm

Tuesday at Yarraville Senior Citizens Club:

• Senior Drama (9 to 12 years old) 4.00pm to 4.55pm

• Senior Musical Theatre (8 to 12 years old) 5.00pm to 5.55pm

Wednesdays at Maribyrnong Community Centre:

• Junior Drama (ages 5 to 8) 4.00pm to 4.55pm

• Junior Musical Theatre (ages 5 to 8) 5.00pm to 5.55pm

Read more about our new Musical Theatre Program below!

Term Cost

Thanks to the generous support of the Melitta Frick Foundation, these classes are available at the heavily subsidised rates.

We use a tiered price structure in order to support as many kids as possible to have access to drama classes. Prices listed are for the whole term.

• $200 Solidarity (pay it forward if you’re able, to support access by people experiencing financial hardship) 

• $120 Standard Fee 

• $85 Reduced Rate

• $55 Financial hardship

Locations

If increased public health restrictions require the suspension of in-person classes, classes will be immediately moved to online delivery via Zoom.

Why is drama important?

Drama has loads of benefits for children. Not only does it improve literacy and concentration, but it also builds confidence, communication and social skills/networks. Drama is an important emotional and creative outlet and the bonus is, it’s tons of fun!

Benefits of Drama

Self confidence, Imagination, Empathy, Cooperation, Concentration, Communication, Problem solving, Quick thinking, Emotional outlet, Relaxation, Self-discipline, Trust, Physical fitness, Memory, Social awareness, Friendships, Aesthetic appreciation.

Communication and Resilience

Developing communication, resilience and social skills through drama builds foundations for a more cohesive city, supporting children as they grow into contributing adults.

Developing creativity

Through mime, improvisation and games, children develop the art of creating and storytelling, and aesthetic appreciation. Audience members discover the joy of live theatre and grow an appreciation for the creation of art.

Musical Theatre

A fun class spent learning songs from broadway musicals and simple choreography to go with them. We will be working on little bits of dance and singing technique, exploring characterisation, acting through song and encouraging children to add their own unique fair to their performance.

About our teachers

Madeleine Magee Carr

Maddy is an actor and teacher. She grew up singing and dancing her way through life in northern NSW, dreaming of a career in the arts. Trained in musical theatre at Academy of Film, Theatre and TV in Sydney and The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, Maddy has worked regularly as a dance and drama teacher alongside acting. She adores kids and loves to approach drama from a place of fun and joy, while developing skills along the way.

In her career, Maddy has worked broadly on both stage and screen. She toured London playing Drizella in the schools tour of Cinderella (Panto in a Day, 2018) and played Vanessa in the musical comedy ‘Inconvenient Miracle’ at BEAM 2018 (MMD, MTN) and Signal concert at the Hospital Club, London.

She was awarded best actress at Canberra Short Film Festival (2021) for her performance as Jacquie in ‘This River’ (dir. Naomi Fryer, AFTRS) which can be streamed on ABC iview. 

She played Meg in Wit Incorporated’s May 2021 production of ‘Every Second’ (dir. Emma Drysdale) and Hen in ‘Bleached’ by Laura Collins (dir. Ruby Rees, 2023). Most recently, she played the titular role in the critically acclaimed ‘Flit’ (dir. Ruby Rees, 2023) in Melbourne Fringe Festival at Theatreworks.

COVER TEACHERS

Sarah Frencham

Sarah is a teacher, performer, writer and director. With experience teaching overseas, Sarah’s passion for theatre extends to teaching and working with children, using drama and theatre to help build confidence, explore creativity and fun, all while building skills along the way.

After completing her Bachelor of Music Theatre at Federation University she has gone on to work broadly in Melbourne’s theatre scene, taking part in Homegrown development workshops, script readings and touring nationally with children’s theatre company Alpha Shows as Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2020).

As well as this, Sarah co-hosted the monthly revue Mixed Bag at Club Voltaire where she featured artists and her own original songs and writing, collaborated on with Sol Summers. Sol and Sarah have also collaborated on multiple cabarets such as Chaos the Cabaret, and a Manic Pixie Dream Cabaret which debuted at the HMST Student Theatre Fest (2019). Sarah’s directing credits include Dan Hillman’s The Dam (First Drafts Festival, 2019), Ryan O’Connor’s The Silent War (Theatia Podsie, 2021) and [Title of Show] with Be You Productions (opening September 2021).

Rebekah Carton

Rebekah is a performer and theatre maker based in Melbourne/Naarm. A graduate of the National Theatre Drama School, she was recipient of the 2019 Florence Young Scholarship donated by the Tallis foundation. She most recently co-wrote and performed the critically acclaimed ‘Cygnets’, an original work performed at Theatreworks in 2023 and is a co-founder of ‘Hot Lunch’, an up and coming ensemble dedicated to creating provocative and playful theatre.

Her theatre credits include: Alice This Is Living (Gavin Roach 2023), Barbara The Perfectionist (Cast Productions 2023) Miss Forsythe Death of a Salesman (Hearth Theatre 2022), Eve Mysteries Parts 1 & 2 (The Liminal Space 2022), Bride SUPPLY (Theatreworks Associate Artist Development 2022), Lyubov Ranevskaya The Cherry Orchard (NTDS 2020), Segismundo/She Lifes a Dream (The Liminal Space 2020), Jess The Weight of Ducks (BYTE 2020). She also appeared as the lead in short film ‘Into The Endless Oblivion’ directed by Monty Callen.

Her directing credits include: For Our Next Trick (MFF 2020) Wednesday Morning 3am (Ass. Dir Melbourne Fringe 2018), Ordinary Australians (Ass. Dir. BYTE 2019)

As well as performing, Rebekah’s work has included running PD with music and drama teachers throughout regional Victoria and New South Wales, as well as mentoring Primary and Secondary aged students in the Performing Arts with a focus on vocal health.

Wit Kids was founded in 2016 by one of Wit Incorporated’s founding members, Belinda Campbell.

This program is made possible through a partnership with Braybrook Community Hub and financial support from the E.M. Frick Foundation.