Academy

The S.L.T.A (Sleaford Little Theatre Academy) for young people aged 8 - 18 years offers a wide variety of performing arts workshops and bespoke projects along with creating dynamic, diverse and inclusive theatre. We encourage members to learn a myriad of creative skills while having fun in a safe theatre space.

For budding actors interested in stage craft, acting skills, confidence building skills, igniting creativity and generally having fun whilst learning. We believe it is essential to enrich, educate and inspire a future generation of creative talent.

Our Classes

Drama and theatre classes for children and young people aged 8-18 years, take place in the theatre on Saturdays during term time. Classes are designed to support participants in developing confidence and self-expression through practical theatre training and taught by experienced and dedicated theatre-makers leading to a performance in a real theatre space.

More great reasons to join the Academy:

• Great value for money - just £10 per week for 2 hours
• Run by friendly and experienced teachers with full DBS certificates
• No auditions will be required to join the classes or youth shows
• Academy members will also have the opportunity to audition for SLT adult members' shows when youth actors are required and will not be subject to any extra youth membership fees
• Everyone involved will have the opportunity to perform for friends and family in an annual academy production for 4 performances on the Playhouse stage

SLTA Stars aged 8 - 12 years (8 years old by 10th January 2026)
Every Saturday during term time 11 am - 1 pm

SLTA Spotlights aged 13 - 18 years (13 years old by 31st January 2026)
Every Saturday during term time 2 pm - 4 pm

Our Fees

Each 12 week term costs £120 per child payable upon registration.

If you have any questions about fees or the availability of places, please email, [email protected].

Our Teachers

Maria Bates

Maria has worked as a freelance drama teacher and theatre director for over 30 years, directing youth and adult productions, delivering performance arts scholarships, Theatre In Education shows and workshops in dozens of schools, academies and theatres throughout London, the South East and Lincolnshire. She held the position of Training Director and Child Protection Officer at South London Theatre for 3 years.

She has directed three very successful adult Shakespeare productions for Sleaford Little Theatre and has co-directed numerous academy productions, including the 2025 productions The Forest of Forgotten Whispers (which she wrote for the Academy Stars group) and Fresh Air (the Spotlights group production that was part of the National Theatre Connections programme). The Fresh Air process included a professional directors’ weekend at the National Theatre, ensuring she brings both trusted and innovative tools to her directing and teaching toolbox.

Maria has extensive experience of directing and drama facilitation, specialising in giving children the opportunity to grow and develop their confidence, teamwork and communication skills through practical theatre training.
 

Callum Thursby

Right from a young age, the world of music and theatre has been a major part of Callum’s life. From hitting his first drum to those yearly trips to see West End musicals. At the age of eight, Callum joined the Theatre Royal School of Performing Arts in Lincoln, where he had the joy of performing at the Lincoln Theatre Royal across all three disciplines.

Callum has been an active member across various theatres in Lincolnshire, taking on, onstage acting roles, backstage crew, stage management, lighting and sound, plus many more across a range of shows including drama, musicals, outdoor theatre, concerts, youth productions, and pantomimes. During this time, Callum also had the pleasure of working with the professional cast and crew of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in Nottingham during their 2013 tour.

Callum brings a range of technical skills to the team, from stage management to the art of using lighting, sound and special effects (smoke, pyrotechnics etc) to take performances to the next level. You may have seen some of his work at Sleaford Playhouse, Rauceby Hall, Heckington Players, Nottingham Playhouse and Blackfriars Art Centre.

Alongside all things technical Callum brings music and the art of rhythm to the team. Callum is currently a drummer in a local band and has been playing and using music all his life, music and theatre go hand in hand and he’s looking forward to exploring music in theatre and the technical arts with future generations.

Callum enjoys sharing the joy and magic of theatre and very much looks forward to supporting, encouraging, and helping to grow the next generation of actors.

Amanda Grant

Amanda has been immersed in both Children’s and youth theatre for over fifty years, where she trod the boards in the Wizard of Oz age 4 years at the Civic Theatre in Leeds, she performed in many a show at the Grand Theatres in Leeds and Wolverhampton, trained in management / backstage, before enjoying performance and touring of Shakespeare with the National Youth Theatre.

With a B.Ed Hons in dance and drama this opened further doors with Theatre in Education and Arts performance projects in schools and youth settings across Yorkshire.  Enjoying being a mum, bringing up her energetic young family of four boys and gaining a master’s & PhD degree she spent the later part of her career in academia at the University of Birmingham where undergrads and postgraduates gained insight and shared learning using creative arts as a way to reach hard-to-reach diverse groups of young people outside of formal school sectors.   During this period Amanda’s down time included work at Hall Green Little Theatre – Youth provision in Birmingham, directing and creating new works.

Amanda oversaw the introduction of training, guidance practice and principles across the West Midland Local Authorities for all areas of governance, child protection and safeguarding. Working across professional theatres regionally, on tour, Europe, China and the West End she is proud to be a leading professional in chaperoning and Mental Health. Recent credits have included The Bodyguard, School of Rock, Billy Elliot, Annie, Bugsy Malone, CBBC, Adolescence and Father Brown.

Whatever the production or workshop her aim is the same, to help young people find their true potential, be inspired by self-expression to gain confidence and be the best they can whilst engaging in individual and group development skills to deliver work in a safe and supportive environment on and off stage.