One of the biggest reasons parents hesitate before booking a taster session is simple:
They don’t know what to expect.
Will my child be okay?
Will they know what to do?
What if they’re nervous?
Do I stay or go?
What if they don’t know anyone?
They’re all perfectly normal questions.
In fact, most parents are far more worried about the first session than their child is.
So rather than talking about Theatretrain in general, let me walk you through what actually happens when a child comes for a taster session.
Before We Even Start
Something I’ve learned over the years is that parents aren’t usually worried about singing, dance or drama.
They’re worried about how their child will feel.
Will they fit in?
Will they make friends?
Will they enjoy it?
Will they be left standing on their own?
That’s exactly why we’ve built what we call our Right Fit Experience.
The goal of a taster session isn’t to impress us.
It’s not an audition.
It’s not a test.
It’s simply an opportunity for your child to experience Theatretrain and decide whether it feels like somewhere they’d enjoy spending their Saturday.
Arriving At Theatretrain
When you arrive, it can feel busy at first.
Children are arriving.
Parents are chatting.
Teachers are getting ready.
I often describe it as calm chaos.
There’s lots of energy, but there’s also a clear structure underneath it all.
You’ll be greeted by one of the leadership team, usually me, Robert or Julie, so you’re not left wondering where to go.
Parents stay with their child while everyone arrives.
That gives children a chance to look around, settle in and get comfortable before anything starts.
What Parents Usually Notice
he thing that surprises parents most is how quickly children often settle once they’re inside.
Even children who looked nervous at the door are frequently laughing, joining in and having fun before long.
The most common thing we hear at the end?
“Can I come back next week?”
That’s usually a good sign.
What A Taster Session Is Really For
A taster session isn’t about ability.
It’s not about talent.
It’s not about how confident a child is when they first walk through the door.
It’s simply an opportunity to experience Theatretrain for themselves.
To meet the teachers.
To meet other children.
To see what the environment feels like.
And to decide whether it feels right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should my child wear?
Comfortable clothes they can move around in. No jeans or skirts, pumps or trainers are fine.
What if my child is shy?
Many of our students were shy when they first joined. We help children settle at their own pace and never force them to participate before they’re ready.
- Welcome new children.
- Introduce them to other students.
- Walk with them so they’re never on their own.
- Work with them so they know what to do.
- Watch for them and make sure they’re having a good time.
They wear a lanyard so everyone knows they have an important role.
It’s one of the simplest things we do, but it makes a huge difference.
What If My Child Doesn't Know Anyone?
The good news is that most of the children already at Theatretrain started exactly the same way.
When new children arrive, they’re introduced to one of our Welcome Ambassadors.
These are existing students whose job is to:
- Welcome new children.
- Introduce them to other students.
- Walk with them so they’re never on their own.
- Work with them so they know what to do.
- Watch for them and make sure they’re having a good time.
They wear a lanyard so everyone knows they have an important role.
It’s one of the simplest things we do, but it makes a huge difference.
What if my child refuses to go in?
Don’t panic. It happens more often than you might think. We’ll work with your child, support them and help them feel comfortable. Sometimes children need a little extra time.
What Happens In The Classes?
A taster session is just a normal Theatretrain session.
There’s nothing special created for tasters.
We want children to experience what Theatretrain is really like.
Throughout the morning they’ll take part in:
- Singing
- Dance
- Drama
Each class begins with a warm-up and an introduction to what they’ll be doing.
No one is expected to know what’s happening.
Teachers guide children through everything step by step.
The atmosphere is supportive, encouraging and designed to help children feel comfortable joining in.
What If My Child Feels Nervous?
This is probably the biggest worry of all.
And it’s something we deal with every week.
Some children walk straight in and join in immediately.
Others need a little more time.
Both are completely normal.
If a child isn’t ready to go straight into class, one of us stays with them.
Usually Geraldine, Simon, Robert or Julie.
They might:
- Watch for a few minutes.
- Sit at the back.
- Chat with us.
- Meet their Welcome Ambassador first.
Sometimes that’s all they need.
They realise it’s safe.
They can see what’s happening.
And they gradually join in when they’re ready.
There’s no pressure.
No forcing.
No expectation that they have to dive straight in.
Our job is to help children feel safe enough to take the next step.
What If They Don't Join In Straight Away?
That’s okay too.
One of the biggest misconceptions parents have is that children need to fully participate from the moment they arrive.
Some do.
Some don’t.
I’ve seen children spend the first few minutes simply watching.
Then gradually edge closer.
Then join one activity.
Then another.
Sometimes the first session is about becoming comfortable enough to come back for a second.
And that’s perfectly fine.
Do Parents Stay Or Go?
Most parents drop off and return at the end of the session.
However, we do have a waiting area and you’re welcome to stay if that feels more comfortable.
We also keep everyone’s contact details close by.
If we need you, we’ll contact you.
And if your child is genuinely unhappy and not enjoying the experience, we’ll always talk it through with you.
What happens after the taster?
You’ll receive feedback and can decide whether Theatretrain feels like the right fit for your child. There’s never any pressure.
Thinking About Booking A Taster?
Trying something new can feel like a big step.
For parents and children.
A taster session simply gives you the chance to see Theatretrain for yourself rather than trying to imagine what it might be like.
And more often than not, families leave thinking:
“That was much easier than we expected.”
