Zoom! Academy was where my aspiring-actress bestie finally stopped dabbling in random workshops and decided to train with people who actually know the industry inside out.

Walking into the studio with her on her first day felt like stepping into a space where everyone already had one eye on their next audition. The whole environment was akin to a mini acting ecosystem, with proper studios, constant rehearsals, and classmates who take their craft seriously.

She loved how the classes weren’t just all “act cute and emote.” They covered on-camera work, scene study, hosting techniques, and even how to craft your own script. The trainers were seasoned actors and media folks who didn’t believe in wasting anybody’s time.

What really sold her was the mix of acting and exposure. They film scenes, offer useful feedback, and even connect students to acting opportunities if they’re ready for it (something she took full advantage of).

She came in nervous but walked out believing she has what it takes. 

That said, the fees sit on the “I’m investing in my career” side of things, and the fixed class schedule isn’t ideal if you’re juggling shift work. 

All the instructors in the course were kind and funny

My journey with Zoom! Academy was fruitful and fun. I went in with no prior experience in hosting and wanted just to learn new things while having fun. All the instructors in the course were kind, funny, and willing to share techniques and their experiences with us. They taught us how to host, and also the skills and ethics we need to survive in the industry. While the journey for me at Zoom! Academy may have ended, but our friendship, the learning and the fun will never end.

– Jimmy Quek, Google Review

A highly recommended training academy 

I had learnt many useful acting skills from the veteran experienced trainers from Mediacorp and even landed some acting assignments from Mediacorp. It is certainly a highly recommended training academy to pick up the essential acting skills. The last photo taken was an assignment recently, which seems after graduating, it really materialised the route to Mediacorp.

– Scott Wong Kam Seng, Google Review

My niece was ready to trade in her theatre-club monologues for something more solid, and MADDspace felt like the place to do it. Walking into their space immediately signalled business: drama, dance, singing, and art all under one roof (that alone gave her confidence).

The acting/drama classes are embedded in a broader performing-arts curriculum that spans music, dance, art, and drama. This means she didn’t just rehearse lines but also learned stage presence, movement, and vocal work in tandem.

Moreover, their DSA preparation program also hints at a serious structure behind the scenes. The instructors she met were calm and focused, guiding her through mini-shows and term-end performances that let her test the waters in a real-feel environment.

Facilities are in a central, accessible location, and the atmosphere blends creative energy with discipline: exactly what a young performer needs when shifting from a casual drama club to something more professional.

However, the emphasis is clearly on kids, teens, and youth. That means if you’re already an adult beginner, the classes may skew younger. 

Also, while the acting/drama side is solid, the school is more broadly performing-arts-oriented (music, dance, and art). 

My girl has made remarkable progress

My girl has made remarkable progress and is looking forward to every upcoming class. With the given opportunity, she showed confidence, having a strong stage presence and emotional depth in performances.

– Kingsley Khiew, Google Review

She had good exposure and opportunities to perform and compete

Very heartened to see my daughter enjoy and develop well not only in her performing arts journey but also in her personal growth with MADDspace for the past 4 years. Apart from honing her skills in vocals, dance and performing, she had good exposure and opportunities to perform and compete locally and regionally. One of her highlights last year was the Rising Voice TV variety show recording with Beijing Kaku TV station. Thank you, Mr Khoo, instructors and Team Maddspace for your dedication and professionalism!

– Lim Kim Seng, Google Review

My youngest sister had a free summer and declared she was “going creative,” so we signed her up at Centre Stage School of the Arts to channel that energy into something real. She walked into their studio bright-eyed and walked out at term’s end, performing in a full staging (and shockingly confident at that!).

The school’s offering is impressively broad, from Drama Tots (18 months!) to On Stage Acting for 8 to 12 year olds, musical theatre workshops, audition coaching, and even adult classes. 

We found pricing transparent, too: there’s a one-time registration fee of S$50, a refundable S$200 deposit class, and termly fees starting at about S$60 per session for younger groups. The instructors are industry-trained (UK and Australia), many of whom are working performers themselves.

There are live performances in their own black box theatre and a full spectrum of disciplines (dance, singing, and drama), so my little sis never felt boxed in into just “acting class.”

That said, if your older teen or adult is after solely intense screen-acting for film/TV, Centre Stage may feel broad rather than highly specialised. 

Also, the deposit system and term-based fees may be less flexible for someone wanting just a one-off summer crash course.

Wonderful positive spirit

Our 11-year-old daughter had a wonderful time at the intensive musical theatre summer camp with Centre Stage! Wonderful positive spirit. Thank you.

– Adrian Mucalov, Google Review

Every lesson has been an amazing experience

I’ve been in the centre stage since I was six, and every lesson has been an amazing experience.

– Anuradha Tiwary, Google Review

My bestie and I were able to witness her shy daughter sign up for the drama class at Wild Rice. She ended the term performing in a student-devised short play she helped create! I still have second-hand auntie pride seeing all of that creativity unfold.

By showcase night, she was delivering her lines under the theatre lights with surprising confidence. The program spans 10-week blocks for ages 5 to 12 and offers storytelling, role play, improvisation, voice, and movement work, delivered by actor-instructors.

Pricing for the children’s term runs about S$650 before GST for the 10-week module for ages 5 to 8 years old. It’s also worth noting that the Funan location sits right in the mall, making it incredibly accessible for busy families.

What we found unique to Wild Rice is the training that leads to a performance showcase at the end of the term, allowing students to present real scenes. The showcase is built in, with week-by-week demands that are more than a simple hobby class.

That said, the main focus is on younger children and building foundational performance skills rather than advanced TV/film acting. You might find the fit limited if you’re an adult or seeking intensive screen-acting training.

Wild Rice produces new bold work that is kind of unexpected for Singapore

A really beautiful theatre space. Wild Rice produces new bold work that is kind of unexpected for Singapore, but refreshing and quite exciting. I loved the production I saw, from the set to the direction and the acting, it was all excellent.

– Michael Hurwood, Google Review

Sets a high standard for local theatre

Numerous fantastic performances in this place. Sets a high standard for local theatre. Awesome productions.

– Dawn L, Google Review

My favourite nephew is awesome but always stutters when he speaks. We figured it would improve with some acting classes, so we enrolled him at The Theatre Practice.

He stammered through the introductions on the first day, but after the term, he was confidently projecting lines onstage without hesitation. The instructors believe in using drama as a tool for expression, not just performance.

Their Children’s Drama Classes (ages 10 to 12) run for a 10-week term with 1.5-hour sessions, priced at S$420 including GST per term. We like the unique bilingual training grounded in the company’s heritage as Singapore’s longest-standing professional bilingual theatre institution.

In his class, my nephew did voice work, movement exercises, and scene building that directly helped him manage his speaking rhythm and confidence. His mum and I love that the structure supported his communication skills as much as his acting.

The environment felt professional yet safe, too; their black-box theatre and the arts hub location on Waterloo added real-stage credibility.

Do note that the focus is very much on foundational theatre and young age groups. And with its strong arts-education emphasis, the pace might not suit someone who expects rapid commercial-acting readiness. 

They know how to engage individual child

My son joined the Play in Arts programs since he was 3yo until now. He is still enjoying each class and looking forward to every year-end performance. All the teachers and staff are very friendly and fun. They know how to engage individual children and bring out the best in them.

– Christine, Google Review

The teachers are patient 

Good place for kids from 3 to 12 years old to go for speech and drama classes, teachers are patient, and the staff are friendly.

– Jovy Lim, Google Review