Stagecoach Basingstoke West

A very warm welcome from Stagecoach Basingstoke West. Principal Rachel Barker provides quality part-time training in performing arts for children aged 4-18yrs.   Rachel was herself a Stagecoach student and has been involved with the network since 1996, going from student to teacher to manager to Principal, gaining a unique insight of the needs of both students and parents. 

Here at Stagecoach Basingstoke West, we believe in the potential of every child, providing them with the tools to explore, create and take creative risks in a nurturing environment. The classes promote life skills, build confidence and stretch imaginations through singing, acting and dance. Stagecoach Performing Arts has been running for over 30 years now, so if you are looking for kids drama, dance and singing classes rest assured we offer the highest quality classes for your children.

The team at Stagecoach Basingstoke West provide a professional, fun and exciting school. The staff are dedicated in helping students develop key skills to assist their social and educational development.  The Principal and staff have all worked professionally and have strong links with the performing arts industry. The schools provide a fantastic training that you would only receive at a top theatre school as well as a warm, friendly and encouraging atmosphere.


We offer Performing Arts Exams

Principal Rachel Barker

Your child is in safe hands. All of our Team are Enhanced DBS checked.


Noticeboard

Gala performance

Congratulations to all our fabulous Main and Further Stages classes who recently performed in "MIXTAPE". Such a special event with live songs and dances as well as short films featuring our students on the big screen! We're already excited for our next GALA...!

Performances and castings

Recently, Stagecoach Basingstoke West students have been selected to perform in the West End and at the O2, they have sung with The Barricade Boys, as well as featuring in in-house productions. Congratulations to a number of students who have been successful in landing their first professional jobs via castings through the school too.

LAMDA exams

We will continue to run individual acting tutorials this term, with the opportunity to take LAMDA drama examinations. Students are doing exceptionally well with their LAMDA exams, honing communication skills, confidence and building UCAS points!

Disney - Dance The Dream!

We're excited to be taking a troupe of students to Disneyland Paris in July 2026 to take part in the Disney 'Dance The Dream' event, performing in the pre-parade throughout the park!

Trinity Group Exams

We're delighted to announce our new partnership with Trinity College London enabling us to offer Trinity exams to our students. We'll announce the next set of group exams in due course.

Order jazz shoes here!

In order to give you the best possible experience and assortment of jazz shoes, Stagecoach now has its own unique online shoe store which is part of the dancewear specialist - Mydancestore. Simply click the button below and it will take you straight there. Please do follow the supplier’s advice when choosing the shoe size. Happy shopping!

T-shirts & other uniform

Need a new Stagecoach t-shirt or another item of uniform? Please visit our Stagecoach Shop. All students require Stagecoach uniform for class and events. Just click the button below!

Weekly Classes

Early Stages (for ages 4-6 yrs)

Stagecoach Early Stages
Early Stages classes run alongside the main Stagecoach schools, where young people learn skills in each of the three Musical Theatre disciplines of singing, dancing & drama, so it is an easy step when it is time to transfer to the next stage.

(90 minutes each week)

Main Stages (for ages 6-18 yrs)

Stagecoach Main Stages
Main Stages classes are split in three age appropriate groups, where young people learn new skills in each of the complementary Musical Theatre disciplines of singing, dancing & drama. We nurture the shy and apprehensive, until they find their feet and voice, whilst at the same time developing and channelling those with bundles of talent, confidence and energy. We believe in the potential of every child!

(3 hrs each week)

Further Stages (for ages 15+ yrs)

Stagecoach Further Stages
Our advanced musical theatre sessions give talented students the chance to extend their performance skills.  Through in-depth training and master classes, we help students to hone their skills in singing, dancing and acting.  We also give students the confidence to audition for theatre and vocational drama schools (if that is their goal) and make sure they are well prepared for interviews and auditions. 

Fees in accordance with Main Stages.

Holiday Workshops

Meet The Team

Principal - Rachel Barker

Rachel's interest and passion for the performing arts began at a very early age and was inspired by dance, singing and drama classes throughout her childhood. Whilst at 6th Form College, Rachel was lucky enough to be offered a DADA to attend the prestigious Urdang Academy where she embarked on a course in Professional Dance (Musical Theatre) in 2002. Since her graduation in 2005, Rachel has performed internationally as a singer, dancer, model and actress, as well as a teacher and choreographer. In addition to various stage productions as dance captain and production vocalist, Rachel has appeared in numerous television adverts, films and music videos as well as hair shows for Schwarzkopf and The Clothes Show at the NEC. Rachel has also toured the UK and Germany as part of a successful female cabaret group. Rachel is currently featured as a voice actor on several UK dubbed shows for Netflix.
 
Rachel is proud to be Principal of Stagecoach Basingstoke West. Having been a Stagecoach student, then moving to performer and teacher, she is delighted to now be passing on the skills she has learnt to the next generation of budding performers.
 
“Pass it on, boys. That's the game I want you to learn. Pass it on.” ― Alan Bennett, The History Boys.

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