Dramatise’ started as ‘Musicality’ in 2007, teaching private singing lessons. Demand for a wider range of exams and disciplines grew and ‘Dramatise’ was born.
‘Dramatise’ offers individual and group teaching in a range of performing disciplines, offering LAMDA examinations.
We specialise in audition preparation for university and colleges and now have students studying at Mountview, Guildford School of Acting, ALRA, Central School of Speech and Drama, E15, UCLAN, Blackpool and Fylde and many have gone on to work professionally in the industry.
About Dramatise
Principal
Miss Michelle Ruse BA PGCE QTLS
Qualifications:Post 16 PGCE Education-Huddersfield University; B.A (Hons) Drama and Music-Manchester Metropolitan University; HND Performing Arts/BTEC National Diploma Performing Arts-Oldham College
Michelle started her training in dance aged four, with the IDTA, where she specialised in Tap. She began playing piano at ten and drums at eleven and first took to the stage as Tessie in ‘Annie’ at the Barnsley Civic in 1992. She then began performing annually at the Barnsley Civic in their annual pantomimes when she was thirteen.
At sixteen she left home to study at Oldham College and continued to develop her performing skills, whilst also working as a tribute act and performing professionally in theatre in musicals and drama productions.
After completing her degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, she took the opportunity to travel, first living in Girona performing in productions of ‘Grease’ as Sandy, and ‘Rocky Horror’ as Magenta and then lived in Fuerteventura where she was the entertainments manager for First Choice hotels.
Upon returning to the UK, whilst studying for her teachers qualifications, she worked for a range of educational establishments from pre-primary to degree level and also took the opportunity to work in television, for the BBC in productions of ‘Real Story’ and ‘Life on Mars’, and for Channel Four in their series of ‘Legless’. She is a fully qualified lecturer with PGCE and QTLS, and has been the musical theatre coordinator for Wakefield College, Leeds City College and lectured at Sheffield College, Barnsley College and CAPA.
She is currently an Associate Member of the exam board for LAMDA as an international examiner and team leader, and has travelled to places as far as Luxembourg, Vietnam and Bahrain to examine in performance and communication, whilst also still being a LAMDA Teacher at Fulneck School and Boston Spa and working for the AQA Exam boar for GCSE Drama.
Michelle was one of the collaborators with LAMDA on writing their current musical theatre syllabus and supporting teacher guidance and regularly offers workshops for teachers and educators on musical theatre training and teaching, has ran workshops for LAMDA in London to train in teaching musical theatre, as well as being a freelance practitioner and has ran workshops at Leeds City Varieties, West Yorkshire Playhouse and many other venues. Michelle regularly writes articles for various publications on musical theatre and is a published theatre critic. For the past three years she has supported ITV in their series of ‘The Voice’. She is also a qualified Eating Disorder Therapist, specialising in supporting those working in the arts.
Drama Lessons
Fun, professional drama classes
Dramatise offers private lessons where students can improve their performance skills, prepare for exams and auditions, make show reels, improve their knowledge and gain confidence. These sessions are booked in 30-minute slots and can be booked as a one-off, or a regular slot.
Students can also work towards gaining examination grades with LAMDA in ‘Introductory’ Stages One, Two and Three (from ages three upwards) and from age five upwards in Speaking Verse and Prose, Reading for Performance, Speaking in Public, Acting, Devising Drama and Mime.Exams with LAMDA are encouraged although optional (and at an additional cost depending on level) There are opportunities to take part in public performances and we regularly do theatre trips nationally (at additional, but very good costs). For any further information on drama lessons simply give us a call.
Dramatise also offers Group classes where students can work independently, in small groups, and as a whole cast.
LAMDA Group classes run on WEDNESDAY and SATURDAYS.
Private lessons are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Group classes work towards exams with LAMDA, working on projection, confidence, technique and ability. Group classes are also offered show opportunities.
Singing Lessons
Singing lessons are our speciality
Dramatise offers private lessons in singing where students can improve their performance skills, increase their range, improve their breathing techniques, perfect their tuning, prepare for exams and auditions, make show reels, improve their knowledge and gain confidence. These sessions are booked in 30-minute slots and can be booked as a one-off, or a regular slot. We are also happy to take bookings for duo’s and small groups. We can provide all backing tracks and sheet music for auditions and rehearsing (some additional costs may apply).
Dramatise also offers Group classes where students can work independently, in small groups, and as a whole cast. Exams with LAMDA are encouraged although optional (and at an additional cost depending on level). There are opportunities to take part in public performances and we regularly do theatre trips nationally (at additional, but very good costs).
LAMDA Group classes run on WEDNESDAYS and SATURDAYS.
Private lessons are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Please contact us for any more information, or to book.
News & Trips
What’s happening at Dramatise?
If you’ve never been on one of our trips before-you’re missing out! All of our trips leave from our studio, so you can park at the studio and leave your car and travel without the hassle of the traffic and parking! We always have excellent seats and great deals on the price you pay.
Watching live theatre is an excellent way to gain experience and keep up to date with the latest productions. We also do trips to London and will happily organise trips to any shows you’re wishing to see or to support our students in any of their productions.
If you would like to go on any of our trips, they are available to anyone, whether you attend Dramatise or not. Deadlines are given for payment on all trips and if payment is not received by the deadline you will risk losing your place on the trips and any money paid. Payment plans can be made and you are welcome to pay in instalments for all trips to make it more accessible for you.
How many have you been on???
29th July 2010-Legally Blonde starring Sheridan Smith at the Savoy London
28th October 2010-Wicked at The Apollo Theatre London
22nd April 2011-Chicago at the Cambridge Theatre London
2nd July 2011-Footloose at Leeds Grand Theatre
24th January 2012 Woman in Black
25th January 2012-The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre London
20th June 2012-Wizard of Oz and Shrek, London
14th November 2012-Oliver at Leeds Grand
20th December 2012-Billy Elliot London
28th August 2013-Hairspray at Leeds Grand
4th November 2013-Thriller at York Grand Opera House
30th Jul 2014-Shrek at Leeds Grand
5th November 2014-Barnum at Manchester Palace Theatre
16th December 2014-Snow White starring Billy Pearce & Joe McElderry at Bradford Alhambra
9th June 2015-The Bodyguard starring Alexandra Burke at Bradford Alhambra
15th December 2015-Jack and the Beanstalk starring Billy Pearce at Bradford Alhambra
28th January 2016-Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at West Yorkshire Playhouse
12th June 2016-Miss Dance and Dance Master Grand Final at Blackpool Winter Gardens
22nd June 2016-Cats at Leeds Grand
24th August 2016-Sister Act starring Alexandra Burke at Leeds Grand
14th November 2016-Ghost at Leeds Grand
8th December 2016-Mary Poppins at Bradford Alhambra
17th December 2016-Peter Pan starring Billy Pearce at Bradford Alhambra
19th January 2017-Strictly Ballroom the Musical at West Yorkshire Playhouse
25th April 2017-Wedding Singer the Musical at Bradford Alhambra
8th May 2017-The Commitments at Bradford Alhambra
6th June 2017-Funny Girl at Bradford Alhambra
11th June 2017-Miss Dance/Dance Master Grand Final-Blackpool Winter Gardens
19th June 2017-Mamma Mia at Leeds Grand Theatre
4th July 2017-The Addams Family Musical at Bradford Alhambra
24th July 2017-Dirty Dancing at Leeds Grand
9th October 2017-Grease at Bradford Alhambra
20th November 2017-Hairspray the Musical at Bradford Alhambra
30th November 2017-Elf the Musical at Lowry Theatre Manchester
17th December 2017-Cinderella Panto starring Billy Pearce-Bradford Alhambra
20th December 2017-Nativity the Musical at Leeds Grand Theatre
3rd April 2018-Flashdance at Bradford Alhambra
25th April 2018-Officer and a Gentleman at Leeds Grand
22nd May 2018-Jersey Boys at Bradford Alhambra
10th June 2018-Miss Dance/Dance Master Grand final-Blackpool Winter Gardens
19th June 2018-Wicked at Leeds Grand
2nd August 2018-Summer Holiday at Leeds Grand
30th August 2018-Fame at Bradford Alhambra
1st October 2018-Miss Saigon at Bradford Alhambra
22nd October 2018-Matilda at Manchester Palace
12th November 2018-Motown at Leeds Grand
20th November 2018-Saturday Night Fever-Bradford Alhambra
19th December 2018-Aladdin Pantomime starring Billy Pearce and Biggins-400 people went!
21st December 2018-Shrek at Leeds Grand-100 people went
4th February 2019-Club Tropicana-Bradford Alhambra-50th TRIP!!!!
18th March 2019-Matilda-Bradford Alhambra
25th March 2019-Full Monty-Leeds Grand
10th April 2019-Kinky Boots-Leeds Grand
24th April 2019-Annie-Bradford Alhambra
30th April 2019-Ghost-Bradford Alhambra
14th May 2019-Blood Brothers-Leeds Grand
5th June 2019-Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat-Leeds Grand
9th June 2019-Miss Dance/Dance Master Grand final-Blackpool Winter Gardens
19th June 2019-Grease-Leeds Grand
10th July 2019-Les Miserable-Bradford Alhambra-60TH TRIP!!!
11th July 2019-Stepping Out-Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
1st August 2019-Rock of Ages at Leeds Grand
7th August 2019-Dirty Dancing-Leeds Grand
22nd August 2019-Rocky Horror-Leeds Grand
21st September 2019-Priscilla-Bradford Alhambra
11th November 2019-Mamma Mia-Bradford Alhambra
19th November 2019-We Will Rock You-Leeds Grand
14th December 2019-Snow White-Bradford Alhambra
15th December 2019-Snow White-Bradford Alhambra
23rd December 2019-The Grinch-The Lowry-70TH TRIP!!
23rd January 2020-Wizard of Oz-Leeds Playhouse
5th March 2020-Cabaret-Leeds Grand
COVID STRUCK AND WE CLOSED THE DOORS
7th September 2021-9 to 5-Bradford Alhambra
14th September 2021-Hairspray-Bradford Alhambra
11th October 2021-Chicago-Bradford Alhambra
4th November 2021-Everybody’s Talking About Jamie-Leeds Grand
16th November 2021-Rocky Horror Picture Show-Bradford Alhambra
23rd November 2021-Dirty Dancing-Bradford Alhambra
26th November 2021-Wendy and Peter Pan-Leeds Playhouse
1st December 2021-Grease-Leeds Grand-80th SHOW!!
9th December 2021-Bedknobs and Broomsticks-Leeds Grand
11th December 2021-Sleeping Beauty Pantomime with Billy Pearce-Bradford Alhambra
12th December 2021-Sleeping Beauty Pantomime with Billy Pearce-Bradford Alhambra
19th December 2021-Sleeping Beauty Pantomime with Billy Pearce-Bradford Alhambra
3rd February 2022-The Addams Family-Bradford Alhambra
10th March 2022-Jersey Boys-Bradford Alhambra
29th March 2022-Six-Leeds Grand
4th April 2022-School of Rock-Leeds Grand
12th April 2022-Lion King-Bradford Alhambra
20th April 2022-Book of Mormon-Leeds Grand-90th SHOW
10th May 2022-Lion King-Bradford Alhambra
14th May 2022-Beauty and the Beast-Manchester Palace Theatre
10th June 2022-Bat Out Of Hell-Bradford Alhambra
25th June 2022-Footloose-Bradford Alhambra
28th June 2022-Dreamgirls-Leeds Grand
11th July 2022-Singin’ in the Rain-Bradford Alhambra
20th July 2022-Joseph-Leeds Grand
26th July 2022-Waitress-Bradford Alhambra
4th September 2022-Bugsy Malone-Leeds Grand
6th September 2022-Blood Brothers-Leeds Grand-100th SHOW
1st November 2022-Six-Bradford Alhambra
8th November 2022-Saturday Night Fever-Bradford Alhambra
14th November 2022-The Commitments-Bradford Alhambra
28th November 2022-Les Miserables-Leeds Grand
16th December 2022-Jack and the Beanstalk-Bradford Alhambra
17th December 2022-Jack and the Beanstalk-Bradford Alhambra
18th December-2022-Jack and the Beanstalk-Bradford Alhambra
23rd December 2022-Jack and the Beanstalk-Bradford Alhambra
6th January 2023-Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-Leeds Playhouse
13th January 2023-Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-Leeds Playhouse-110th Show
7th February 2023-The Bodyguard-Bradford Alhambra
10th March 2023-Rock of Ages-Bradford Alhambra
22nd March 2023-Sister Act-Leeds Grand
27th March 2023-Strictly Ballroom-Bradford Alhambra
11th April 2023-Mamma Mia-Leeds Grand
18th April 2023-Spongebob-Bradford Alhambra
9th June 2023-Dirty Dancing-Leeds Grand
10th July 2023-Annie-Bradford Alhambra
18th July 2023-Heathers-Bradford Alhambra
29th July 2023-42nd Street-Leeds Grand-120th Show
30th September 2023-Rocky Horror-Bradford Alhambra
7th October 2023-Drifters Girl-Bradford Alhambra
24th October 2023-Shrek-Bradford Alhambra
11th November 2023-Calendar Girls-Leeds Grand
15th November 2023-Everybody’s Talking About Jamie-Leeds Grand
18th November 2023-Full Monty-Bradford Alhambra
21st November 2023-Greatest Days-Leeds Grand
9th December 2023-Cinderella-Bradford Alhambra with Billy Pearce
10th December 2023-Cinderella-Bradford Alhambra
15th December 2023-Cinderella-Bradford Alhambra-130th show
22nd December 2023-Cinderella-Bradford Alhambra
23rd December 2023-Cinderella-Bradford Alhambra
29th December 2023-I Should Be So Lucky-Leeds Grand
11th January 2024-Life of Pi-Leeds Grand
12th January 2024-Oliver-Leeds Playhouse
19th January 204-Oliver-Leeds Playhouse
3rd February 2024-Hamilton-Manchester Palace Theatre
15th February 2024-Madagascar-Bradford Alhambra
18th February 2024-Madagascar-Bradford Alhambra
20th March 2024-Wizard of Oz-Bradford Alhambra-140th show
29th March 2024-Officer and a Gentleman-Bradford Alhambra
9th April 2024-Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands-Bradford Alhambra
25th April 2024-The Syndicate-Leeds Grand
4th May 2024-Come From Away-Leeds Grand
9th May 2024-Wicked-Bradford Alhambra
10th May 2024-Wicked-Bradford Alhambra
11th May 2024-Wicked-Bradford Alhambra
17th May 2024-Pretty Woman-Leeds Grand
18th May 2024-Pretty Woman-Leeds Grand
14th June 2024-Bonnie and Clyde-Bradford Alhambra-150th show
6th July 2024-Everybody’s Talking About Jamie-Bradford Alhambra
10th July 2024-Chitty Chitty Bang Bang-Bradford Alhambra
3rd August 2024-Grease-Bradford Alhambra
30th August 2024-Aladdin-Bradford Alhambra
31st August 2024-Aladdin-Bradford Alhambra
1st September 2024-Aladdin-Bradford Alhambra
10th October 2024-Only Fools and Horses-Bradford Alhambra
12th October 2024-Only Fools and Horses-Bradford Alhambra
19th October 2024-Now That’s What I Call A Musical-Bradford Alhambra
25th October 2024-Chicago-Bradford Alhambra-160th SHOW
31st October 2024-Ghost-Bradford Alhambra
8th November 2024-Dear Evan Hansen-Leeds Grand
14th November 2024-Book of Mormon-Bradford Alhambra
23rd November 2024-And Juliet-Leeds Grand
30th November 2024-Hairspray-Bradford Alhambra
5th December 2024-Blood Brothers-Leeds Grand
7th December 2024-Pinocchio Pantomime-Bradford Alhambra
8th December 2024-Pinocchio Pantomime-Bradford Alhambra
14th December 2024-Pinocchio Pantomime-Bradford Alhambra
21st December 2024-Pinocchio Pantomime-Bradford Alhambra-170th SHOW
22nd December 2024-Pinocchio Pantomime-Bradford Alhambra
18th January 2025-Little Shop of Horrors-Sheffield Crucible
25th January 2025-The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe-Leeds Playhouse
1st March 2025-Hamilton-Bradford Alhambra
24th March 2025-Kinky Boots-Leeds Grand
20th March 2026-Tina Turner the Musical-Leeds Grand
21st March 2026-Tina Turner the Musical-Leeds Grand
3rd April 2026-Tina Turner the Musical-Leeds Grand
Contact Us
Call – 07712 732 010
Email – michelle@dramatise.co.uk
Studio Address – 13 Maple Estate, Stocks Lane, Barnsley, S75 2BL
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Contact us below
Congratulations!
November 2024-Excellent exam results again! Three stars got 99! Ava and Ray in Musical Theatre and Belle in Speaking in Public!
July 2023-Guess what……ALL DISTINCTIONS AGAIN in our June Exams! Highest ever group mark for juniors with 99! Long time student Ewan Brindley completes his Grade 8 with a 90! Topped off with all students who have auditioned for shows regionally being successful, for Les Mis, Oliver and Frozen.
April 2023-I get to say it again-FULL DISTINCTIONS for all exams taken! Our groups performed Fame and Shrek this time, and what a set of results. Well done to Belle, the highest mark ever in Dramatise history with 99!
January 2023-More LAMDA exams…..and teacher Mary completed Grade 8 with the highest mark it’s ever achieved at Dramatise, a whopping 98! Well done to everyone who also completed a stunning set of results.
November 2022-Another set of exams completed and some great results, taken at the new Sheffield Public Centre at the Venue-ran by…..Miss Michelle! Students also took part in performances of Oliver and Aladdin at Junkyard Theatre in Penistone to great success.
September 2022-Congratulations to Darcie Brown for not only graduating from her degree course, but for instantly getting a professional contract in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Leeds Playhouse.
May 2022-Excellent exam results for all! Both Junior and Senior Musical Theatre Groups got Distinction! Izzy Norton becomes the youngest to take Grade 8 Musical Theatre AND gets a distinction! And Belle Hunt now holds the record for most exams, with 16, and she’s only 9!
October 2021-A FULL SWEEP-ALL DISTINCTIONS IN OUR EXAMS! First time we’ve achieved this, every single exam getting a distinction! What a fabulous result!
November 2019-Fantastic LAMDA results again!
May 2019-A big well done to all our LAMDA exam superstars. The groups first ever time at Choral Speaking and we got a 97!!!
January 2019-Congratulations to everyone who took exams on November 25th.14 Distinctions and 2 Merits-an amazing result, with particular well done to staff members Hannah and Jamie who took their Grade 6 Musical Theatre and Hannah got 93 and Jamie 88!
February 2018
Congratulations to everyone who took part in their exams on the 25th-excellent confidence and performances all-round!
February 2018
Congratulations to former student and current teacher Darcie Brown, for being accepted into University! she has a few more auditions before she chooses, but she’s made a great start!
January 2018
Congratulations to Ewan and Isabelle from Dramatise, who performed in Snow White, their first professional pantomime at Dearne Theatre, we thoroughly enjoyed it, a pleasure to watch!
January 2018
Congratulations to Millie Wood, who performed at Sheffield Crucible theatre, in Wizard of Oz, a stunning professional Christmas show, which was a pleasure to watch, and see you up there (and great prep for your exam!)
September 2017
Congratulations to everyone at Dramatise for passing their exams with LAMDA,particularly our littlest entrants, Sarah Pierrepont, Amber Jones, and my own Belle Hunt, who is only 4! Such a great achievement for these little ones to be taking solo exams at their age, and they all passed with DISTINCTION!!!
An added well done to Darcie Brown for completing her Grade 8, with a stunning 93! It’s been 10 years of lessons,and what a great way to finish!
May 2017-Congratulations to me! I have been asked to return to ITV to help organise auditions for The Voice again! Always a pleasure to discover talent in the area.
January 2017-Conratulations to ALL the students who took part in the LAMDA exams and have some amazing results. Particular mention to the highest exam result going to Ewan Brindley receiving a stunning 90 for his Musical Theatre Grade One exam. Well done Purple Family!
October 2016-Congratulations to Heidi Wood for her successful audition to attend CAPA Juniors in September. Heidi works incredibly hard in all her Dramatise classes (we can’t get her to leave!) and she’ll be an amazing asset to the school, and I look forward to seeing her perform there in the future.
August 2016-Congratulations to Darcie Brown for her successful audition for ‘What I Go To School For’ The Busted musical. Darcie played the part of Matt’s mother, in a fab show held at Brighton Opera House, which was a pleasure to watch and Darcie was amazing! She now starts CAPA college on a two year course-good luck Darcie!
Congratulations-to me!! I’ve been given the task of working on the preliminary rounds of ITV’s THE VOICE, and auditioning those who wish to be seen by the producers. If you know anyone over 16 who is interested, tell them to get in touch, auditions will be on May 20th.
April 2016-Welcome to everyone who has joined our new group classes, including my own 3 year old daughter and niece Sarah. Classes are taught by former student Miss Charlotte and myself, and current senior student Darcie, who will be assisting in our classes.
January 2016-Well done to Chloe Coles and Ellie Burland for taking part in a music video. I had the pleasure of being asked to cast them, and joined them on set to watch them perform their own choreography for a new song by ‘The State of Georgia’, to be released soon.
January 2016-Congratulations to former student Nick Plummer Walsh who has just become the Principal of the Stagecoach franchise in Doncaster. I taught Nick on his BTEC in Musical Theatre and he also took LAMDA singing exams at Dramatise. Nick has also started working for me teaching at Fulneck Primary, and it’s a pleasure to welcome him to the madness (he also makes me feel really old!)
December 2015-Congratulations to my longest attending student Darcie Brown for being offered college places at both Wakefield College and CAPA, to study performing arts, musical theatre and dance. Darcie is, as she has always been, a testament to hard work and determination, and both colleges are lucky to have her, which ever she decides upon!
July 2015-Congratulations to Charlotte Woodward and Molly Mae Lodge who completed their Grade 8 LAMDA Musical Theatre singing exams with DISTINCTION!!!! Charlotte is now studying with the Open University, whilst Molly Mae is off to Lincoln University with the fab 135 UCAS points she gained from her singing exams. I am one very proud teacher, and wish you all the best for the future.
Also congratulations to Paula McKinney who completed her Grade 5 with a 75 Merit mark, 5 marks higher than her previous grade, showing how much she is improving. I’m very proud and look forward to seeing her perform as Tallulah in her school production of ‘Bugsy Malone’ in July.
What a talented bunch!!
2021!!
Congratulations to Mary Severn and Louisa Kaye who have both been successful in their auditions for college, Louisa for Barnsley College and Mary for CAPA, and a massive well done to Hannah Brindley for being accepted into several dance universities, including her top choice of Bird!