Start Your Own Drama School

While those interested in drama can attend college to received degrees in dramatic arts, drama students don't start at the college level. You can start a drama school to feed your passion for the dramatic arts, share your knowledge with drama students and earn an income doing so. But starting and running a drama school does take planning.

Check out the market. Know whether other drama schools in your area specialize in dance, in theater, in acting, in singing or other aspects of the dramatic arts. Try to differentiate your drama school from others in your area. Decide your specialty whether that is acting, musical theater or another aspect of drama. Figure your needs for such things as a studio, equipment, networking and advertising. Put together a business plan of needs and goals to keep you focused.

Volunteer. Park and Recreation programs, schools, even many churches have drama programs. Offer to teach a drama class. Instead of payment, ask to pass out information on your drama school.

Ask about starting a drama club in school, offering more training for talented students. Some students and/or parents may even be willing to be quoted in print for your ads, brochures and on your web site. Always carry well designed business cards and pass them out at every opportunity.

Consider your studio. Look for a studio large enough for the setting up and tearing down of multiple stage sets. Look for a studio floor that resists slips, reduces sound and has good shock absorption properties. While a permanent floor is preferred, portable flooring you can roll out for practices can be purchased.

Offer critiques. Put together a sheet listing different aspects of the performance with a place both to rate a performance and a place for notes. Be encouraging, but offer practical ways the drama student can improve. Give students something for which to achieve, the training to do so and the encouragement needed to motivate them.

Present goals. Drama students need achievable goals for which to strive. Schedule performances, using them not just to give your students exposure and a chance to perform for an audience, but also as advertising for your drama school. Make your performances something worth striving to be a part of and worth attending.

Charge enough to cover your costs and time. While you need to consider how much your drama students can afford to pay, it does no good to undercut what you need for your time and expenses. Consider rent, utilities, equipment, traveling time, especially if your students enter dance, singing, theater or other drama competitions. Also consider licensing costs, continuing education, an honest evaluation of your time and the wear-and-tear on your body.

Choose your drama students with care. For example. If your school is heavy in acting, choose students with a flare for acting; if musical theater, those who like to combine singing and acting. Choose drama students with involved parents. Graduating a few competent drama students willing to sing your praises, does more good than thousands of dollars in advertising. Word-of-mouth is great advertisement so encourage your students, family and friends to talk about your drama school.

Start your drama school with a good business plan, with experience, with well chosen students and a willingness to network by teaching a drama class, and your drama school will bring in not only an income, but also joy to you and your students for many years to come.