PRIMARY ACTING CLASSES.

REGISTRATION

Upon arrival, your young person is able to eat their afternoon tea, listen to music, and participate in mindfulness activities including craft, board games etc. Our upper primary students often use this time to go through the lines for their scripts. Class starts at 3.30pm.

We then begin the class with a check-in to see how everyone is travelling and so we can gauge the energy levels of the individuals and the group. After this, we move on to energy, movement, and voice warm ups to connect with our senses and mobility, exploring new movements, and body awareness.

Theatre games are designed to ensure playfulness and inclusivity as the group builds trust. Failure is celebrated as it opens the space for learning and encourages vulnerability in a supportive environment. Then, we move on to improvisation, devising and script work, finishing off our sessions with some cool-down games

In terms one-two, participants work on bringing a text to life. In term three-four, participants create their own plays on wherever their imaginations take them. To cap it off, students work towards their end of semester showings in term two and term four in a local theatre venue.

What happens in our Brisbane youth drama classes?

Registrations are open Term Four!

We are now accepting trial classes for Term Four. Register your interest below!

REGISTRATION

TERM FOUR DATES 2026.

Term Four: Week of Monday the 5th of October - Week of Monday the 30th of November

If your young person’s class has a public holiday throughout the term, then we make up those lessons in week ten.

For our Paddington and Oakleigh students, our student productions are on the Saturday of week nine of term four.

CLASS TIMETABLE FOR PRIMARY DRAMA CLASSES.

PADDINGTON STUDIO.

MONDAY: Early Primary (Prep-Grade Two), Middle/Upper Primary (Grades Three-Five)
TUESDAY: Early Primary (Prep-Grade Two), Upper Primary (Grades Three-Five). Our Tuesday Upper Primary Class has a waitlist.

WEDNESDAY: Upper Primary (Grades Four-Six). Our Wednesday Upper Primary Class has a waitlist.

THURSDAY: Upper Primary (Grades Three-Six) Best Availability.

FRIDAY: Early Primary (Prep-Grade Two), Upper Primary (Grades Three-Six) Musical Theatre Class. See Musical Theatre tab above.

WHEN: 3:30pm to 5:00pm. Doors open for student arrival at 3:00pm.


WHERE: Rosalie Baptist Church Hall. Corner of Ellena St and Fernberg Rd, Paddington.

For our Milton State School Students in our primary classes, our lead facilitator meets the students at 3pm in front of the office and they walk over together to our Paddington Studio.

COST: $330 for the nine week term, inclusive of GST.

ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE INDOOROOPILLY.

WEDNESDAY: Early Primary/Middle Primary (Grades Ones-Three) There are two classes on a Wednesday.
THURSDAY: Early Primary (Grades One-Two), Middle/Upper Primary (Grades Three-Six). Our Thursday classes have a waitlist.

WHEN: 3:00pm to 4:30pm.

WHERE: Centre of Innovation and Learning (CLI Bulding, 66 Harts Road, Indooroopilly.


COST: $259.88 for the seven week term, inclusive of GST.

OAKLEIGH STATE SCHOOL

WEDNESDAY: Upper Primary (Grades Three=Six)

FRIDAY: Early Primary (Prep-Grade Two)

WHEN: 7:30am to 8:45am. Doors open at 7:15am for student arrival.

WHERE: The Lower Library, Oakleigh State School

COST: $275 for the nine week term, inclusive of GST.

Drama for young people comes with a variety of educational, physical, social, and emotional benefits that they can transfer to their home and school life. As an art form that encourages self expression and collaboration, drama allows young people to find their voice and develop key skills that help them both on and off the stage.

Some of these benefits include:

  • Confidence building

  • Critical thinking

  • Ensemble awareness

  • Negotiating ideas

  • Problem solving

  • Improves focus

  • Fosters empathy

  • Promotes emotional intelligence

  • Instills discipline and resilience

  • Improves coordination and fitness

  • Builds a safe and inclusive sense of community

  • And so much more!

At Play on Stage, we seek to empower the young people of Brisbane through the arts by creating a safe and playful space for them to develop these skills. Our experienced facilitators have been trained to support our students through their creative growth, ensuring that everyone is feeling welcomed, respected, and allowed to have fun!

The Benefits of Drama for Kids

What People Are Saying

  • Fantastic drama school! My son is thoroughly enjoying his drama classes at Play on Stage. It is the perfect outlet for his energy and creativity. The program is extremely well-structured, fun, and inclusive. He has made great friends and learned valuable teamwork skills. Thank you to the wonderful staff for creating such a positive environment! Five stars!!!

    — Sherry Pan, Parent

  • My 8-year-old son has been attending Play on Stage for the past 2 terms, and I can honestly say it is the highlight of his week. From the very first lesson, he came home buzzing with excitement. The program strikes a wonderful balance between creativity, confidence-building, and just being fun for the kids. The instructors are incredibly kind, patient and engaging, creating a safe space where the kids feel seen and heard. Highly recommend this program to any parent looking to nurture their child’s confidence, creativity, and social skills in a joyful and supportive environment.

    — Shoshana Abnett, Parent

  • Wonderful children’s drama classes and productions, expertly facilitated, with children’s best interests always at heart. My kid says that this is their favourite part of their week - they won’t miss their Play on Stage classes for anything! Awesome local business.

    — Jennifer Teh, parent

  • Our daughter has loved being part of Play On Stage. One of the things we've noticed most over the past year is how comfortable she now seems speaking and performing in front of groups. Whether it's on stage or presenting at school, she appears more relaxed and willing to have a go. Virag’s enthusiasm is infectious.

    Lauren Clayton, Parent

Register your young person now

A woman and a girl sitting on the floor, smiling and laughing during a play or performance, with a blurry child in the foreground.
Three young girls standing in a line on a stage, with the middle girl dressed as a unicorn and the girl on the right in a dress, facing each other, while the girl on the left looks down.
Young girl in a school uniform smiling while sitting on the floor among other children.
Three young girls in blue and white striped dresses are standing in a row, singing or speaking, inside a room with brick walls and black chairs in the background.
Three children performing on stage, a girl in pajamas with Pikachu print and a hat, a boy in a black t-shirt with a skull graphic, and a girl in all black with cat ears headband. Two children sitting on the floor watching.
Four child actors in a classroom engaging in a playful game, with one girl laughing and others looking on.
Group of five young actors in a room with pink walls, four standing and one sitting on the floor. They are holding signs with names, with one woman in front gesturing with her hands and smiling.
Three young actors standing on stage with colourful posters on the wall, one boy raising his fist, a girl holding his hand, and a girl with a serious expression.
Children sitting on a wooden stage floor, some raising hands, under green stage lighting, during rehearsals for a performance..
Five young actors performing a dance on stage, wearing theatre black shirts with floral headbands, with a green curtain in the background.
Brisbane children actors performing a play on stage, with some dressed as characters in a story, including a girl wearing a jester hat and another with a captain's hat.
Four young Brisbane drama students sitting on cardboard boxes on stage, eating from bowls, engaged in a conversation during a play or performance. The stage has a green background with a simple setup.

Meet our Facilitating Team.

Virag, Artistic Director and Founder of Play on Stage, a Brisbane based youth drama studio. She has shoulder-length red hair, bangs, and a bright smile standing against a gray background.

Hi there! My name is Virag and I'm the owner and founder of Play on Stage. As a part of this role, I facilitate early and upper primary, as well as teen acting ensemble as a part of our youth drama studio.

My previous tertiary education includes a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama) with Distinctions in 2019 and with a Masters of Teaching (2021) from Queensland University of Technology (QUT). I’ve held a number of roles in arts education including being the Director of Room to Play Kids (2021-April, 2025), the Youth Performing Arts Workshops Coordinator for Brisbane Arts Theatre (2018-2021), as well as being a teaching artist for theatre companies such as Queensland Theatre and Grin and Tonic.

Before founding Play on Stage, I operated under my sole trader name ‘Virag Dombay Productions’ and have performed original works with young people in venues across South-East Queensland with the support of Brisbane City Council. I have worked previously as a drama and dance specialist teacher Milton State School, Oakleigh State School and Rainworth State School and have been a tutor for QUT’s Creative Industries precinct.

In April 2025, I founded ‘Play on Stage’, a youth drama studio and production company based in Brisbane that seeks to empower children and teenagers through the arts. Through our term-based classes, holiday programs, mainhouse productions, workshops, and more, we help young people find their voice and use it with confidence.

One of my teaching philosophies is that the arts provide children with the tools they need for lifelong learning as well as a means of expressing themselves in a way that can’t be achieved through traditional means of education.

Qualifications: Bachelor of Fine Arts (Drama) with Distinctions (QUT, 2019), Masters of Teaching (QUT, 2021), and is currently studying a Masters of Arts Cultural and Business Management at Deakin University.

Virag Dombay

Founder / Lead Facilitator for Early Primary, Upper Primary and Teen Acting Classes

Stevie, Lead Facilitator for Early and Upper Primary Classes at Play on Stage, a Brisbane based youth drama studio. Stevie has glasses, curly hair, and is smiling while sitting outdoors, surrounded by greenery.

Stevie Beeston

Lead Facilitator for Early and Upper Primary classes.

Hi! I’m Stevie and I facilitate early and upper primary at Play on Stage.

I have been involved in the local arts community for almost thirty years with experience acting, directing, prop & set design, prop & set build, adapting works for stage, front of house and education.

My previous position was as a technical supervisor at AKA’s Bluey’s World, I’ve previously worked and collaborated with Brisbane Arts Theatre, Ad Astra, PIP Theatre, Act React, 4 Stage Productions and New Dream Productions.

I love working in the arts sector with all of the creative people involved. My greatest achievements are the young people who’ve taken their passion for the arts out into the world and become successful young adults still filled with the same passion.

My favourite drama games are those which are almost, but not quite, entirely unlike the games they started as, thanks to the adaptions and modifications introduced by the students.

Jack, Head of Musical Theatre/Lead Facilitator for Upper Primary and Teen Acting Classes, at Play on Stage, a Brisbane based youth drama studio. Jack is smiling, has dark curly hair, brown eyes, and wears a dark red jacket and a collared shirt.

Hey there, I’m Jack and I have been on the Play on Stage facilitating team since 2025. My background is in Musical Theatre, having done a year of study and then completing a two year diploma course at Valmy Academy.

When not teaching I’m mainly found rehearsing or performing on stage. I’ve worked with a number of companies including Phoenix Ensemble and Vox Arts and have directed or been the movement director of a number of works with Play on Stage, including ‘The Playground in the Sky’, ‘The Wishing Well’ and ‘Lunchboxed In’ and most recently, Nicky Peelgrane’s ‘Bleep Quest’.

’m very eager to teach as I love working with young people and am very passionate about drama being for everybody, I think the benefits are immeasurable and I look forward to sharing all of those with your kids.

My favourite drama game is Death In A Minute, absolute high stakes improv game which I just adore.

Qualifications: Diploma in Musical Theatre (Valmy Academy, 2021)

Jack Barrett

Head of Musical Theatre Lead and Assistant Facilitator for Upper Primary and Teen Acting Classes

Rose Swanepoel

Assistant Facilitator for Early and Upper Primary

Hi there! I'm Rose, and I am excited to be an assistant facilitator for early and upper primary classes here at Play On Stage.

I began my drama journey at the age of seven years old, and have continued it across my life, recently having received a grade of seven out of seven for theater after graduating from QACI's IB diploma programme.

I have experience with a multitude of roles across theatre, across acting, direction and design, that have shaped my exponential love and appreciation for theatre. This has also opened job opportunities for me, such as working as a party performer.

I am deeply passionate about fostering fun and exciting environments to highlight the playful fun of acting for everyone. My favourite drama game is definitely Space Jump, as the silly scenes never fail to make me laugh!

Gemma Keliher

Lead and Assistant Facilitator for Early and Upper Primary Classes.

Hello! I’m Gemma and I am so excited to be joining the fun at Play on Stage. I’m very passionate about all things drama and working with young people and thrilled to embark on this journey with our students. I believe that drama is for everybody, and that the skills and tools we learn through drama are a valuable part of our growth and development.

I’ve had a versatile career in the performing arts, working across stage and film as an actress, puppeteer, and filmmaker. You’ll still find me performing, whether on stage, at Bluey’s World, or children’s events, and I look forward to bringing my experience and passion for the arts to our younger generation.

My favourite drama game is Evolution - anything that gets you up and moving with lots of energy and smiles!

Qualifications: Bachelor of Acting (Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, 2023)

Harry Fritsch

Head of Playwrighting and Teen Lead Facilitator

Hi, I’m Harry, and I’m the head of SEO and playwrighting, and also a facilitator, at Play on Stage. As a writer, I love working with young people to craft stories that inspire and mean something significant to them. Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways that people of all ages can express themselves and learn more about the world around them.

I have written several plays for Play on Stage’s professional youth productions, including The Playground in the Sky and The Paige Turner Bookshop, while also having penned several of the scripts and playwright curriculum for our term-based programs. It’s always a thrill to guide a class of young people towards creating their own plays, as I strongly believe that children and teens are always going to further commit to a performance if they are speaking words they have written.

My favourite drama games would be Penguin Race as its silly and engaging and so much fun for everyone!

Qualifications: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative and Professional Writing (Queensland University of Technology, 2018)