CANVAS BAG DRAMA
At Canvas Bag Drama School we take stories; everything from traditional fables to modern day tales, and imagine ourselves inside the stories. We can be anyone or anything; from a mermaid to an ogre.
We run age ranked drama classes for children and teenagers, aged from 5-17 years.
Our classes combine a structured fun-filled social environment with extensive use of improvisation and role-play to develop positive feelings of self worth and the ability to confidently express thoughts and feelings.
We go on to create our own stories and scripts with characters we have explored. We can be anyone or anything, from a genie inside a lamp to an erupting volcano.
Our classes are intense, energetic and move at a fast pace. They are designed to generate enthusiasm and initiative through various games and skill based tasks.
Tutors write plays each year using ideas generated in the class by the students. Every year we rehearse and perform these original scripts to a public audience.
We use costumes, props and musical instruments as tools; students love using all these resources to experiment and create their own stories.
There’s always lots of laughter and lots of fun in a Canvas Bag drama class and for many students it is the highlight of the week!
The main Merivale Campus operates in Merivale, Christchurch, New Zealand, on the grounds of Rangi Ruru School. We also have a campus in Bromley Reserve and a campus in Halswell.
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Canvas Bag Drama (formerly Mozarts Drama School), began in 1995.
It was established by educator and writer Felicity Williams, to provide children and young people with a high quality after school activity that developed inquiry, creativity and imagination. And it also had to be fun!
In 2016 we renamed and rebranded to become Canvas Bag Drama. Our classes are held in The Theatre and various other locations, all on the grounds of Rangi Ruru High School, Merivale, Christchurch. In 2017 we opened a satellite campus in South Brighton and in 2018 we did the same in Halswell. In 2025, the South Brighton campus was moved to the Bromley Reserve.
On October 1st, 2024 Harry Lawrence took ownership of the drama school, with Felicity moving to the role of patron. Harry, who founded the Hwyl Theatre Company, brings an exciting development to Canvas Bag Drama School with the establishment of the Canterbury Youth Theatre 2025.
Over the last 30 years we have been privileged to see hundreds of children and teenagers benefit from our classes which embrace the full spectrum of performing arts.
Term 1 – voice and movement techniques, scene study and improvisation are a key focus.
Term 2 – concentrates on storytelling, characterisation and devising an original script for our public performances later in the year.
Term 3 – we offer Canvas Bag Showcase - script work, rigorous rehearsal and performance curriculum.
Term 4 – we focus on comedy and absurdist theatre to further develop public speaking and storytelling skills.