Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions below.
Course/Class Related Questions
Compliments, Suggestions or Complaints
Course/Class Related Questions
How do I know if this course is right for me?
Each of our courses has a course outline that will tell you about what you will learn on your course. You can use our Course Wizard to help you find the best course for you. If you are still not sure, please contact us. We are also happy to help by telephone.
Are there any places still available for the course I’m interested in?
Yes – as long as the course is not showing “FULL” on the booking page, there are still places available. We cap classes at a maximum number to ensure that all students can get the most out of a class.
Is the course I’m interested in running this term?
Yes – as long as the course is showing on the booking page, it is running. Should any courses be unable to run, we will always notify you in advance so you can be refunded, deferred to another term or transferred to another course of your choice.
Who comes on the courses?
A wide range of people aged 18-80 and above enrol on our courses from all different walks of life. Generally, if you are interested in acting and enthusiastic, then this is the place for you.
I am retired, are these courses suitable for me?
Yes! We welcome people of all ages.
When do courses run?
Our courses run throughout the year. You can start courses in September, January or April/May each year.
I can’t make all the classes, does it matter?
You’ll gain the most from your course if you attend every session as missing one can make it hard to take part fully later. Course outlines tell you what you can expect to achieve – this assumes that you are present throughout. However, we appreciate that absence is sometimes unavoidable! Once you are aware that you will have to miss a class, please let us know – we will get in touch with your tutor and pass on any relevant information to you for your next class. If you are going to miss more than 3 weeks of the ten week course, we recommend that you book on to a course later in the year. Unfortunately it is not possible for students to drop in to other classes as make-up sessions for what they have missed.
Will the short courses in acting help me become an actor?
Our Acting for Beginners courses are designed for people with little or no drama training, or for those wanting to refresh or develop their skills. Script Analysis, Finding The Truth and Theatre Company courses cover similar ground to some elements of actor training courses but inevitably not to the same depth due to the time scale. Our courses do provide you with a useful CV entry for those interested in taking things further. The courses enable you to develop skills pertinent to a career in performance.
My son/daughter is interested in acting, can they join?
All of our courses are designed for adults, and we welcome anyone over the age of 18. If your son or daughter is under 18, our sister company, Performers Theatre School runs classes for children and young people.
Are your studios accessible?
There are 8 steps from Hope Street to enter the building. MAD is based on the ground floor and the first floor. There is a lift to the first floor if needed. There are accessible toilets. We work hard to create an inclusive environment for all of our students and we will make every reasonable attempt to provide support if you have additional access needs. If you have additional access needs, please contact us, before booking to discuss further.
Do I get a certificate?
No, our courses are not accredited as we are not linked to any educational body. We place our values on the practical experience and techniques gained. However, we can, on request, provide a certificate of attendance which outlines the course you’ve completed. Many of our students find this helpful for their CPD records, for their employers or purely for their own personal records. Certificates can be emailed and can take up to 2 weeks to produce at the end of a course.
Who are the tutors?
Our tutors are trained professionals with a wealth of experience of teaching and performing and up to date industry knowledge. For more information about our tutors, click here.
I need to get in touch with my tutor. Can I have their email address?
We are unable to pass on a tutor’s email address or personal contact information. If you would like to message a tutor, then please contact the office and we will pass your message on.
How many students are there in a group?
Sizes vary but classes are normally not bigger than 15 – 20 for acting courses. For writing courses, classes are limited to 9 – 10.
I’m an international student, do I need a student visa to study?
No, as we are not linked to any educational or government body we do not require a particular type of visa for you to study with us. Our courses are open to everybody providing you have right to reside in the UK.
Why are there no ‘auditions’ or selection workshops to join a course?
Except for our annual Summer Season, all our Short Courses are open-access. Therefore we operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable clothes suitable for movement. You should not wear any jewellery in class.
Can I pay on a class by class basis?
Within a course, we cover different content week-to-week so you can not just drop in on any week of the course. To help spread the cost, we offer a flexible payment option where you can pay by 3 instalments (the deposit, the week before the course and Week 4 of the course). You do have the option of paying in one instalment if you prefer.
How much are your fees?
Course fees vary depending on which course you are taking. Fees are shown next to each course on our web site. When you book, you pay a 20% deposit. The balance is taken in two instalments, one just before the course starts and one part way through the course.
My class hasn’t started, but my schedule has changed and I won’t be able to make it. Can I switch to a later date?
If you can no longer attend a course, then please get in touch and we’ll be happy to transfer your booking onto an alternative date. We can only transfer you if you let us know before the start date of your course.
The class has already started but I can no longer attend. Can I have a refund?
Once a course has begun, we are unable to offer you a refund. However, we can in certain limited circumstances offer you course credit code for the value of the remaining classes, which you can use towards a future booking. We can only offer credit for any classes that happen after you have contacted us.
Is there Disabled Access?
There are 8 steps from Hope Street to enter the building. We currently have an application in process to have a lift installed, however there is not yet a date when this will be completed by. Once inside the building, there is lift access to all floors and there are accessible toilets. For further information about access, please contact us.
Access and Inclusion
We work hard to create an inclusive environment for all of our students and we will make every reasonable attempt to provide support if you have additional access needs. If you have additional access needs, please contact us, before booking to discuss further.
Compliments, Suggestions or Complaints
We are always happy to hear from you – please tell us about your experience at MAD by contacting us, or talking to us, or completing a feedback form at the studios. In addition, at the end of each course, we ask all students to complete a short evaluation form.
Making A Complaint
We try our best to ensure you have a good experience, but if something does go wrong we want to know so that we can put it right. Please tell us as soon as possible.
In the first instance you can talk to your tutor or to Kayleigh Allan at hello@merseysidedrama.com and we will do our best to resolve the issue straight away.
If we can’t resolve the issue straight away, we’ll ask you to put your complaint in writing to us.
We work very hard to provide an excellent service and so we are keen to hear if you feel we are not getting things right so that we can fix it.
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