The Laura Bruce Dance Academy (LBDA) was opened in April 2004 by Laura Bruce and is based in Beckenham with studios at St Peters Hall, Malmains Way and the United Reformed Church Hall, Oakhill Road. The aim of the school is to provide an exciting and welcoming environment for all students and to encourage individual talent in the main disciplines of dance and theatre.
The school offers classes in tap, jazz, modern, ballet, street dance, musical production, singing and drama. Pupils can take ISTD examination in Modern Tap and Ballet and LAMDA examinations in Acting. The school has a 100% pass rate! There are classes for children of 3 years old up to adults.
The main objective of the school is to provide a fun and friendly atmosphere for all children whether they take classes for pure fun or are more serious about a career in the performing arts. Pupils who are keen to perform are actively encouraged to attend professional and amateur auditions, pupils have performed in professional and amateur shows at the Churchill Theatre as well as in the West End. Past pupils have performed in ‘Billy Elliot’ (Victoria Palace), ‘Matilda’ (Cambridge Theatre) ‘Celtic Journey’ (Churchill Theatre), ‘Annie’ (Churchill Theatre), ‘Seussical the Musical’ (Fairfield Halls), ‘Wizard of Oz’ (Churchill Theatre), ‘Alladin’ (Fairfield Halls), ‘An Inspector Calls’ (Churchill Theatre) to name but a few. Pupils also regularly appear in ballet companies, professional pantomimes and amateur productions at the Churchill Theatre, Stag Theatre and Fairfield Halls. Pupils have also appeared in TV adverts.
The school performs a show annually (at either the Fairfield Halls, Croydon, The Churchill Theatre, Bromley or the Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks). As well as this pupils are encouraged to take part in summer workshops , musicals and competitions throughout the year. Trips to professional shows are organised yearly as well as other social events which help to encourage friendships and a sense of unity within the school. Many pupils have gone on to further their training at professional performing arts colleges including Laines, Urdang, London Studio Centre, The Centre, Laban and The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.