Meet the local creative groups joining the Chelmsford Theatre family
Chelmsford Theatre has welcomed four local performing arts groups into its growing creative community this autumn.
Following a callout earlier this year, Geo Studios, The Dance Exclusive, McGahan Lees Irish Dance Academy, and Blown Fuse Theatre are amongst the first groups to be hiring the theatre’s brand-new Coval Lane Studios – a set of two open-plan, professional movement and dance facilities set in the heart of Chelmsford.
Coval Lane Studios at Chelmsford Theatre was created by the city council to provide a much-needed space for local performing arts groups to host rehearsals, workshops or other creative pursuits.
The new groups will share the professional space with the world-renowned Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, who occupy the studios during term-time classroom hours.
Creative Engagement Officer, Megan Crisp, says the theatre hopes this new space will help widen opportunities for local people of all ages to engage with the performing arts here in Chelmsford:
““Coval Lane Studios is part of our Discover programme. While this new space means we can continue to grow what we offer internally at Chelmsford Theatre, I’m delighted that it’s also giving more local creatives and performing arts groups the chance to find a home in Chelmsford city centre.
Megan Crisp, Creative Engagement Officer, Chelmsford Theatre
“There is always a need for more opportunities for people of all ages to discover their creative side, build confidence and feel part of a welcoming community, and these studios are helping us to provide exactly that. We know cost can be a real barrier for communities trying to create opportunities, so we have worked hard to keep the studios as accessible as possible, ensuring creativity can flourish here in Chelmsford.”
Geo Studios – Saturdays, 8am–2pm
Geo Dance students enjoying their new dance home at Coval Lane Studios.
Run by two sisters, Geo Studios offers a range of dance classes for children and young people aged three to 18. Its welcoming, supportive environment encourages students to build confidence, resilience and performance skills while learning that making mistakes is an important part of developing.
Classes include ballet, tap, modern, street and commercial dance, disco freestyle, rock ’n’ roll and contemporary, alongside private singing lessons. Their fun, recreational sessions cater for all levels, with graded classes and examinations also available for students who want to pursue dance professionally.
Principal Georgia Hussey says that, since relocating to Coval Lane studios, Geo Studios has welcomed growing interest from Chelmsford families in joining their classes:
““Our mission is to provide a safe space for children and teens to explore movement and performance without judgement. Whether they want to pursue a career in dance or not, our classes help them to build confidence and develop new skills that will support them in the wider world.
Georgia Hussey, Principal of Geo Studios
“Coval Lane Studios has provided us with the perfect professional quality dance studio where my students can truly grow and develop. The kids and parents who’ve followed me from my previous studio are amazed by this new space – they feel like I’ve spoiled them! We’ve got mirrors, ballet bars and all the professional equipment that my hardworking pupils deserve to have. And I’m really thrilled to have already had more Chelmsford families enquiring to join us in recent weeks.”
You can find out more about Geo Studios and enquire about their classes via their Instagram page.
McGahan Lees Irish Dance Academy – Wednesday evenings
McGahan Lees Irish Dance Academy provides professional Irish dance training in a safe, inclusive and friendly environment. Its classes introduce students to the foundations, technique and heritage of this historic art form, while building confidence and creativity, and inspiring joy through movement.
The academy welcomes complete beginners from the age of four through to experienced competitive dancers, with teaching tailored to each student’s level. Alongside weekly classes, dancers can take part in graded examinations, performances and competitions.
McGahan Lees will be running classes at Coval Lane Studios on Wednesday evenings. You can find out more and enquire about classes via their website.
The Dance Exclusive – Monday evenings
The Dance Exclusive students have settled into Coval Lane Studios.
The Dance Exclusive is an award-winning dance school established in 2015 to provide a welcoming and supportive environment where everyone can enjoy dance, regardless of their ability or previous experience.
Alongside Junior Street classes for ages 5–7, and Hip Hop and Lyrical sessions for ages 8+, they also run adult Commercial and Heels classes, welcoming dancers of all abilities. Their aim is to help students build confidence, express themselves and feel part of a positive community, progressing at a pace that suits each dancer with no judgement or pressure.
The Dance Exclusive Principal, Amie Whitaker, says:
““We’re incredibly grateful to be one of the first groups using Coval Lane Studios. The studios are beautiful, spacious and give us such a lovely environment to teach in. Being right in the heart of Chelmsford also makes the space really accessible for our dancers and their families. We’re so excited to continue growing The Dance Exclusive here and hopefully become a real part of the local community. Our biggest aim is to create a place where children and adults can enjoy dance, build their confidence and feel completely comfortable being themselves. We’d love to welcome lots more Chelmsford dancers through our doors!”
Amie Whitaker, Principal, The Dance Exclusive
The Dance Exclusive’s classes at Coval Lane Studios will take place on Monday evenings. You can find out more and book a class via The Dance Exclusive app.
Producer Lab – Tuesdays 7pm-9pm, from 13 October until 10 November
Blown Fuse Theatre's Producer Lab is running sessions at Coval Lane Studios this autumn. Image credits: David Monteith-Hodge/The Farm.
Run by Blown Fuse Theatre Executive Producer, Roxanne Carney, Producer Lab is a series of five-part workshops designed for working professionals to understand more about the world of producing. Through accessible, hands-on learning, sessions will demystify the producing process and help participants to build skills, confidence and networks.
Each workshop is interactive and informal, with space for questions, reflection, and peer connection. Topics include team building, stakeholder partnerships, budgeting, touring, and self-promotion. You can come to one workshop or attend all five for a discounted price.
You can learn more about Producer Lab on the Blown Fuse Theatre website and book spaces for each workshop via the Chelmsford Theatre website.
Apply to join the Coval Lane Studios family
As these first organisations settle into their new professional studios at Coval Lane, Chelmsford Theatre continues to welcome applications from local performing arts groups to hire the space.
If you’d like to join this creative community in the heart of Chelmsford, you can apply to hire Coval Lane Studios via Chelmsford Theatre’s website.
More Discover activities at Coval Lane
With a specific focus on the performing arts, Coval Lane Studios is part of the theatre’s Discover programme, which provides opportunities, through workshops, masterclasses and more, for local communities to learn new skills, discover what goes on behind the scenes at a theatre and build a greater a sense of wellbeing.
As well as providing a low-cost studio space for local community groups to hire, Coval Lane Studios is enabling the theatre to grow its existing programme of in-house classes, workshops and more. Further creative opportunities set to take place in the new studios include Keep Fit Musical Theatre, which runs every second Monday of the month, plus regular children’s activities during the school holidays.
Keep an eye on the theatre website for more activities coming up at Coval Lane Studios.
