The Peninsula's Place For Performing Arts
Mornington PENINSULA's Place Of acting & improvISATION
Peninsula Performing Arts is an acting and drama school for children based on the Mornington Peninsula. Established in 2012, we have the expertise and knowledge to engage students and build skills that will last a lifetime.
Do your kids love to perform? We will teach them the essential aspects of acting techniques and explore how they can approach auditions, public speaking and performance opportunities.
The Creative Director of Peninsula Performing Arts, Johanna Millward, has developed an exciting and interactive curriculum derived from over 20 years of teaching drama professionally.
Johanna is also the National talent co-ordindator for one of Australia's most successful children's talent agencies and an experienced instructor of advanced workshops in the art of auditioning for the Entertainment industry.
Learning ABOUT ACTING SKILLS
Your child will understand the essential aspects of acting techniques whilst developing voice and body expression. Peninsula Performing Arts is a place where young actors can practice their craft and performance skills. Our classes enable actors to truly learn the craft of acting in an engaging and fun environment. We have a suite of tools available to facilitate the learning process from Theatre & TV scripts to role-playing exercises, character development and monologues. Enhancing creativity, unleashing imagination and building confidence are among the key benefits that can be derived from participation in our classes.
UNDERSTANDING improvisation
Improvisation is the art of creating or performing something spontaneously or making something from whatever is available. Improvisation within the Performing Arts discipline is a very spontaneous performance without specific or scripted preparation. Our students absolutely love improvisation or 'improv' as it enables them to really get their imagination and creativity flowing. We always have a lot of fun and many laughs with our improv exercises. We encourage and support the journey of children's personal development through improvisation as the ability to 'improvise' is an invaluable skill to possess both inside and outside of the classroom.
Flexible payment options and no lock-in contracts
Easy pay as you go for only $20 per class
Easy pay as you go for only $20 per class
Peninsula Performing Arts is the premiere educational youth program for drama, acting and improvisation on the Mornington Peninsula. We believe that every child possesses a unique and beautiful personality which can grow and develop through artistic expression. Performing Arts is an individual art form in which artists use their voices or bodies, often in relation to other objects, to convey artistic expression. At Peninsula Performing Arts we encourage children to explore their creativity and imagination whilst enabling them to achieve a deeper connection with their own emotions, expressions and feelings. We place an emphasis on encouraging children to understand and develop their own individual characters whilst teaching them valuable skills that can be used in any situation.
Please find our class times detailed below.
HOLIDAY DRAMA WORKSHOP PROGRAM!
Location: Rosebud Memorial Hall (Small Hall)
Dates: 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 January 2026
Duration: 6 Days (over 2 weeks)
Hours per day: 10 am to 4 pm
Age range: 8-17 years
Focus: Acting fundamentals, improvisation, drama games, screen acting, script work, and showreel creation with a professional casting lens
Convenors: Johanna Millward and Caroline Kelly - VIT Registered Drama Teachers with professional film and TV casting and production experience
Group size: 10–12 participants per tutor,
morning and afternoon tea provided
Cost: $135.00 per day
Day 1: Wed 14 January 2026 – Acting Foundations and Improvisation
Theme: Confidence, Acting Warm-ups, and Drama Games
* Welcome and icebreakers to build a supportive environment and group confidence
* Engaging improvisation exercises to spark creativity and spontaneity
* Drama games focused on teamwork and building trust
* Acting warm-up routines, including voice projection and body awareness
* Introduction to basic acting concepts and fun explorations of character
* Reflection circle to discuss learnings and set personal goals for the workshop
Day 2: Thurs 15 Jan 2026 – Exploring Character through Improvisation and Drama Games
Theme: Character Building and Collaborative Play
* Vocal and physical warm-up sessions to prepare the body and voice
* Imaginative drama games for emotional expression and timing
* Improvisation exercises designed to deepen understanding of character and interaction
* Partner work to encourage listening skills and spontaneous response
* Group discussion and reflection on growth in confidence and ensemble work
Day 3: Friday 16 January 2026 – Screen Acting and Scene Work
Theme: Building Screencraft and Storytelling with Professional Insights
* Warm-ups to connect body and voice for on-camera clarity
* Learning key differences between stage and screen acting
* Detailed rehearsal of scripted duologues with professional coaching focused on character objectives, obstacles, and emotional truth
* On-camera filming practice emphasising framing, eyelines, and natural reactions
* Review and feedback session with instructor guidance to refine performance
* Introduction to simple editing basics and playback review to enhance self-awareness
Day 4: Tuesday 20 January 2026 – Monologue Masterclass with Casting Focus
Theme: Developing Your Unique Acting Voice and Presence
* Physical and vocal preparation techniques to foster readiness and presence
* Careful selection and breakdown of monologue scripts tailored to each participant
* Individual on-camera coaching to develop emotional depth, tone, and subtlety
* Filming multiple takes with direct feedback to help participants explore choices and build confidence in front of the camera
* Peer review sessions encouraging supportive feedback and self-reflection on performance growth
Day 5: Wed 21 January 2026 – Industry Techniques and Professional Presentation
Theme: Preparing for Auditions and the Acting Industry
* Refining chat-to-camera skills, emphasising connection and natural performance
* Workshop on uploading showreels and creating professional Casting Networks/KidCast profiles
* Editing guidance to assemble a concise and impactful actor showreel
* Q&A session covering practical steps to navigate the industry with confidence
Day 6: Thurs 22 January 2026 – Showcase and Celebration of Growth
Theme: Edit, Present, and Celebrate Your Achievements
* Morning warm-up leading into final filming sessions
* Collaborative editing work with instructor support to polish showreels
* Preparation for the final screening with last-minute tweaks to presentations
* Afternoon showcase of participants’ work for peers and family, celebrating progress and confidence
* Afternoon showcase of participants’ work for peers and family, celebrating progress and confidence
* Certificate presentation and celebratory photos to mark the completion of the intensive
Workshop Outcomes
By the end of this 6-day intensive, each participant will:
* Have developed strong foundational acting and improvisation skills
* Gain experience working both collaboratively and individually with scene and monologue work
* Be equipped with essential on-camera techniques and a polished showreel introduction
* Understand key professional audition preparation and industry expectations
* Leave with greater confidence, an expanded drama skillset, and tools for future auditions
* Receive a certificate recognising their achievement and new acting capabilities
This program is designed to be engaging, supportive, and professional, ensuring every child feels empowered and inspired to take their drama journey to the next level with energy and focus.
