The Speech and Drama Studio

The Speech and Drama Studio, led by Monica Brian, provides MLC School students with an onsite comprehensive speech and drama program.

For the past 29 years at MLC School, Monica’s specialist knowledge of the entertainment industry in addition to her experience as an educator ensured the program’s high standard and real-life application. The Speech and Drama Studio are proud to offer students a wide range of performance programs including Speech and Drama, Acting for Camera, Musical Theatre, Public Speaking, Script Writing and Theatresports.

The Speech and Drama team is made up of established industry professionals and highly experienced educators who are committed and passionate about providing lasting training in performance, acting, vocal skills and producing confident speakers. Each member of staff is committed to creating an empowering environment where each student's worth, ideas and ability is recognised and cultivated. Creative talents are developed, broadened and enhanced through carefully planned lessons.

In our Speech and Drama program, students work in small groups of 4-5 students, or individual or duo sessions, which allows the tutor to get to know and understand each student and tailor classes accordingly. In the Junior years, we communicate with class teachers on a regular basis to sustain continuity with teaching techniques for individual students so we can provide the best possible learning environment.

Speech and drama training has consistently seen our students achieve higher results across curriculum subjects through increased confidence and skills in oral presentations, literacy, critical analysis, comprehension, greater literary knowledge, listening skills, understanding and developed vocal skills and relaxation techniques to understand and control nerves.

Speech and Drama provides lasting training that assists students during and beyond school. Our students have gone on to receive leadership roles within MLC School. Ex-students find the skills developed in their speech and drama training invaluable in their chosen careers. A number of ex-students have joined the Speech and Drama teaching team whilst studying at University. Many of our students have gone on to pursue careers in acting, presenting, journalism, speech pathology, drama teaching, CEO’s and so on, after being inspired and equipped with the necessary skills they have developed through their training at the Speech and Drama Studio.

Students can apply for credit points for University entry through the Elite Performers Scheme when completing Trinity College of London Grade 8 or Diploma level examinations and Australian Speech Communication Association (ASCA) Certificate of Communication or Diploma. The Diplomas are tertiary level qualifications and give the students letters after their name. Any of our programs can be used as the activity or skill for Duke of Edinburgh and/or Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) for the IB.

The Speech and Drama Studio Teaching team includes Monica Brian, Maria De Marco, Zuzi Fort, Taylor Buoro, Julia Kennedy, Lisa Gorman, Rosie Meader, Isabelle Gray, Rory O’Keeffe, Tahlia Merlino, Felicity Nicol, and Lucy Patterson.

Recent Achievements

The Speech and Drama Studio’s reputation of excellence continues with our students achieving highly as excellent role models for MLC School both within and beyond our School community.

Exam Achievements
Over 200 Speech and Drama students participated in the Australian Speech Communication Association (ASCA) examinations and Trinity College of London examinations achieving exceptional results with a Distinction average. Five Senior and five Junior MLC School Speech and Drama Studio students were selected for the ASCA Outstanding Achievement Awards in Excellence. Some Year 11 and Year 12 students completed their Trinity College of London ATCL Diploma and ASCA Certificate of Communication. Both of these qualifications can assist with University early entry and extra points through the Elite Athlete and Performer Scheme.

Eisteddfod Achievements
Approximately 150 Speech and Drama Studio students represented MLC School at the Inner West Eisteddfod in Term 2 achieving a record number of winning place and highly commended awards in character recital, duologue/scene, improvisation, prepared speech, verse speaking and prose readings. We also had students participate in the Parramatta, Sydney and Ryde Eisteddfods placing in their categories.

Theatresports
Our Theatresports Junior and Intermediate teams represented MLC School with excellent results at the Theatresports School’s Challenges hosted by Impro Australia. Our Junior Team achived 3rd Place in the Impro Australia’s Theatresports School’s Challenge. Several students performed at the Inner West Eisteddfod placing in the Improvisation category.

Holiday Productions
Junior School students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 assisted by a talented production team of Year 7 to Year 12 students, produced several very successful holiday productions, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz, The Space Race.

Acting for Camera
Our current Acting for Camera students are having great success in the industry with many receiving audition opportunities, getting booked for work and landing quality agents.

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Programs

Please note: Pre-Kindergarten to Year 2 students can enrol for Speech and Drama group lessons and Future Leaders Public Speaking Club through the Pre-Kindergarten to Year 2 After School Program. Click here for more information.

Acting for Camera (Year 7 to Year 12)

Group and Private lessons available

Ever watched a movie or TV show and dreamed of being a part of it? Well now you can! This program is taught by industry professionals and assists students in developing a greater understanding as to what the film industry is all about. We will cover scene work, monologues, casting types, auditions, self-taping and more! Students will work towards filming a monologue they have developed, a scene with a partner and creating an actor profile necessary for pursuing acting work.

Places are limited, so get in quick! Our current acting students are having great success in the industry with many landing quality agents, receiving audition opportunities and being cast in dramas, feature films and commercials. Join us now to start your own journey in the wonderful world of film.

Program Details

Coordinator: Monica Brian
Places Available: 8 places
Day and Time: Year 7 and Year 8: Tuesday lunchtime
Year 9 to Year 11: Monday lunchtime
Location: F73 – Speech and Drama Studio
Cost: Group lessons: $374 per term
Private lessons: $550 per term
Enrolment: A link to the Speech and Drama Studio website will be shared when registration opens

Future Leaders Public Speaking Clubs (Year 3 to Year 12)

Group and Private lessons available for Year 3 to Year 5
Private lessons only for Year 6 to Year 12

Year 3 to Year 5

Designed for students ready to grow as confident communicators, this course develops voice control, articulation, body language, and speech structure. It includes practice with various types of speeches, dynamic delivery, and audience engagement. Students also learn to manage anxiety, solve problems, and enhance their social presence, skills that are essential for leadership, debates, and school presentations.

Key focus areas include:

Confidence
Body language
Voice control
Speech structure
Speech types
Presentation skills
Audience engagement

Year 6 to Year 12

For passionate young speakers, the Advanced Future Leaders program dives into the art of powerful communication. Students explore famous speeches, persuasive language, and rhetorical techniques
used by history’s greatest orators. They build a compelling vocabulary and learn to craft impactful messages that inspire and influence.

Program Details

Coordinator: Monica Brian
Places Available: 8 places per program
Day and Time: Year 3 to Year 5: Monday lunchtime OR Monday 4.05pm–4.35pm
Private and Online lessons: By appointment
Location: The Daphne Line Hall
Cost: Group lessons: $363 per term
Private lessons: $550 per term
Duo lessons: $484 per term
Trio lessons: $429 per term
Enrolment: A link to the Speech and Drama Studio website will be shared when registration opens

Musical Theatre (Year 3 to Year 10)

Junior: Year 3 to Year 6
Senior: Year 7 to Year 10

Combining acting, singing and dancing skills, students will learn the basics of how to be a musical theatre performer in a weekly 1-hour session. Why stop at one skill, when you can learn two skills and add in a third skill to create what the performance industry calls a triple threat. This is a performer who can act, sing and dance, creating an all-round and versatile performer who is thrilling to watch. The course will culminate with an end of year showcase. The Musical Theatre tutors come with a combined 50 years of experience.

Musical Theatre private and duo lessons are also available. Private and duo students have the option to participate in Musical Theatre exams through Trinity College of London or The Australian Speech Communication Association (ASCA) and can work right up to an ATCL Diploma in Musical Theatre.

Program Details

Coordinator: Monica Brian
Places Available: 25 places
Day and Time: Year 3 to Year 6: Friday 3.30pm–4.30pm
Year 7 to Year 10: Wednesday 4.40pm–5.40pm
Location: Junior School Music Studio 1
Cost: $363 per term
Enrolment: A link to the Speech and Drama Studio website will be shared when registration opens

Script Writing (Year 3 to Year 12)

Private and Duo Lessons: Year 3 to Year 12

Script Writing is for students interested in exploring and developing the techniques of script writing. Students examine writing and staging with concepts of directions, sets, scenes and continuity, and proper script formatting. They will learn about different genres and styles, the importance of characters and their voices and objectives, themes and super objectives. Students will examine how to target the audience on an emotional level and deliver a message through the use of dialogue, employing various poetic devices and literary techniques and actions. Students will utilise the skills developed and have fun writing their own scripts.

Program Details

Coordinator: Monica Brian
Places Available: 10 places
Day and Time: By appointment
Location: Junior School and Speech and Drama F73 Studio
Cost: Duo lessons: $484 per term
Private lessons: $550 per term
Enrolment: A link to the Speech and Drama Studio website will be shared when registration opens

Speech and Drama Group and Private Lessons (Year 3 to Year 12)

Mastering the Art of Communication, Creativity and Confidence

Our Speech and Drama classes help students build confidence, improve communication skills, and express themselves creatively. Through voice work, role-play, storytelling, and performance, students develop clear speech, strong stage presence, and the ability to think and speak with confidence in any setting.

Our Senior Speech and Drama classes are designed to empower students with advanced communication and performance skills that support their academic, personal, and professional growth. Through structured workshops, performance-based tasks, and critical reflection, students explore voice control, stagecraft, improvisation, and a wide range of dramatic texts from Shakespeare to contemporary monologues. They develop confidence, creativity, and the ability to express complex ideas with clarity and impact.

Beyond performance, students learn to analyse characters, understand subtext, and deliver powerful interpretations, key skills for public speaking, debating, leadership roles, and real-world communication.

Private students can have programs tailored to their interests and needs.

Speech and Drama students have the opportunity to participate in the Australian Speech Communication Association (ASCA) or Trinity College of London exams and perform in eisteddfods.

Program Details

Coordinator: Monica Brian
Places Available: Open to all interested students
Day and Time – Group lessons: Year 3 and Year 4: Tuesday 3.55pm–4.25pm
Year 5 and Year 6: Tuesday 4.30pm–5pm
Year 7 and Year 8: Monday 4.40pm–5.10pm
Year 9: Wednesday 5.15pm–5.45pm
Year 10 to Year 12: Rotating daytime / spares or by appointment
Day and Time – Private lessons: Rotational lessons throughout the school day or after school, scheduled on a different day/time each week.
Location: The Daphne Line Hall
Cost: Group lessons (Year 3 to Year 5): $374 per term
Group lessons (Year 6 to Year 10): $385 per term
Private lessons: $550 per term
Duo lessons: $484 per term
Trio lessons: $429 per term
Enrolment: A link to the Speech and Drama Studio website will be shared when registration opens

Theatresports (Year 7 to Year 12)

Theatresports is a form of improvisational theatre that uses the format of a competition for dramatic effect. Theatresports is for all levels of experience.

Each term students work through the Theatresports handbook in addition to improvisational activities focused on increasing the girl’s confidence in performance and devising.

Improvisation is such a fun way to strengthen their communication skills while exercising their imagination and storytelling abilities. Most importantly we have fun and lots of laughs!

MLC School participates annually in the Theatresports Schools Challenge, run by Impro Australia in which they compete in teams of three to five against other schools, creating one-, two- and three-minute improvised scenes live on stage, judged and scored by improvisation professionals. Eisteddfod opportunities are also available.

Our lessons are focused on embracing mistakes, nurturing confidence and highlighting the importance of working together as a team. Oh and of course lots of laughter!

Program Details

Coordinator: Monica Brian
Places Available: 20 places
Day and Time: Tuesday 3.20pm–4.50pm
Location: G33
Cost: $341 per term
Enrolment: A link to the Speech and Drama Studio website will be shared when registration opens

Holiday Productions (Kindergarten to Year 12)

Cast: Kindergarten to Year 6
Crew: Year 7 to Year 12

The Speech and Drama Studio produces five holiday productions each year. These are open to MLC School and external students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6. Year 7 to Year 12 students form our Production crew gain experience in directing, choreography, stage management, costume and set design, lighting and sound design, musical directing, and mentoring the younger students.

Students gain confidence and have lots of fun as they are taken through a rehearsal process including acting, singing, movement and dance to produce a production in five days. Students experience what it is like to be a part of a production team whether it be on or off the stage from start to finish. At the end of the five days students perform the production to family and friends.

We see an enormous increase in confidence and performance skills throughout the week. The productions provide a wonderful opportunity for students to form friendships with students in different year levels and allow every student to feel like a star!

Program Details

Coordinator: Monica Brian
Places Available: 30 places
Day and Time: Monday to Friday 9am–3pm during the school holidays
2026 Holiday Production Dates:
January Holiday Production: Monday 19 January to Thursday 22 January 2026
April Holiday Production: Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April 2026
July Holiday Production: Monday 29 June to Friday 3 July 2026
September Holiday Production: Monday 21 September to Friday 25 September 2026
December Holiday Production: Wednesday 9 December to Tuesday 15 December 2026 (5 days, excluding weekend)
Location: Drama Theatre or Potts Hall
Cost – 5-day production: Kindergarten to Year 6: $500
Year 7 to Year 12: $440
Cost – 4-day production: Kindergarten to Year 6: $460
Year 7 to Year 12: $400
Enrolment: A link to the Speech and Drama Studio website will be shared when registration opens

One-off Individualised Lessons (online or in person)

The Speech and Drama Studio offers one-off individualised lessons taught by our team of Industry professionals if you require a one-off coaching session for a specific purpose. You can book one or several lessons or join us every week.

Get in touch if you:

Need some assistance with presentation skills for a speech
Have an audition coming up for a school production, external production, TV show or film
Want to develop English speaking skills, pronunciation and vocal training
Want to explore screen acting technique, self-taping skills and industry mentoring
Would like to book in for a few lessons to address one specific area without committing to a whole term
Prefer online lessons if your busy schedule doesn’t suit face to face lessons.

Program Details

Coordinator: Monica Brian
Places Available: Open to all interested students
Day and Time: By appointment
Location: F73 – Speech and Drama Studio or online
Cost: 30 minute lesson: $77
2 x 30 minute lesson: $143
Enrolment: A link to the Speech and Drama Studio website will be shared when registration opens

Online Lessons

We offer online programs in line with our Speech and Drama, Communication and Acting for Camera programs. Please send through an inquiry for further information on programs currently
running.

Program Details

Coordinator: Monica Brian
Places Available: Open to all interested students
Day and Time: By appointment
Location: Online Zoom lessons
Cost: 30 minute lesson: $77
2 x 30 minute lesson: $143
Enrolment: A link to the Speech and Drama Studio website will be shared when registration opens

ASCA Certificate of Communication (Year 11 and Year 12)

The Australian Speech Communication Association (ASCA) is an internationally recognised National Examining Board offering exams in performance and communication. Upon completing ASCA Grades 6-8 exams, students can earn the prestigious ASCA Certificate of Communication, allowing them to use the professional title Cert.Comm. ASCA after their name. This certificate serves as a professional qualification, showcasing advanced oral communication skills. It is particularly beneficial for school leavers, professionals in business, lecturers, public speakers, and individuals in other professional fields. Additionally, it offers an advantage for university applications, as it can contribute extra ATAR points through the Elite Athletes and Performers scheme at selected universities. Students must be 16 years and over to complete this qualification.

Program Details

Coordinator: Monica Brian
Places Available: Open to all interested students
Day and Time: Daytime rotating lesson or after school fixed lesson by appointment
Location: Speech and Drama F73 Studio
Cost: $748 per term
Enrolment: A link to the Speech and Drama Studio website will be shared when registration opens

ATCL Trinity Diploma (Year 11 and Year 12)

Trinity College of London is an International Examining Board offering exams in speech and drama, communication, performance arts and musical theatre. Students can choose which exam stream they are interested in, and this can vary from year to year. After completion of grade 8, students have the opportunity to sit for the ATCL Diploma in speech and drama, performance arts, communication or musical theatre. Students may use the initials ATCL after their name. This certificate is a professional qualification and is available to those who wish to demonstrate proficiency in oral communication or performance. It is particularly valuable for school leavers, for those working in the business world, lecturers, public speakers and those in professional spheres and students pursing acting or media careers. The ATCL Diploma may be used for extra ATAR points through the Elite athletes and performers scheme for selected universities. Students must be 17 years and over to complete this qualification.