Acting classes for young people & Adults
To become Bold, Brave, Fearless.
Catherine Steer-O'Neill Artistic Director
With a career spanning over four decades, Catherine has become a passionate advocate for the transformative power of theatre. Originally from England, Catherine emigrated to Australia in 2009, making an impact on the Sunshine Coast as a founder of one of the region’s first theatre schools. Their love for the arts and commitment to fostering creativity in young people has been the guiding force behind their work ever since.
Catherine brings a wealth of experience to the rehearsal space. The teaching philosophy is rooted in give respect to gain respect and the belief that theatre provides a unique space for young people to express themselves, take risks, undertake challenges to develop the confidence to work in the industry but also to thrive in the real world.
A director, playwright, trained puppeteer, and music teacher, Catherine has explored many facets of the performing arts. Her extensive training and constant upskilling includes a Masters in Physical Theatre, Composition, and Viewpoints, along with a deep fascination for circus skills and the work of Shakespeare.
''For me, theatre is more than a career; it is a lifelong passion and a way of giving back to the community. Helping young people discover the magical world of theatre and watching them grow as artists, and people, has been the highlight of this journey, and I continue to find joy and inspiration in every drama session.''
Everyone is equal
Fun, challenging and exciting activities
Broad experiences of theatre
Productions, Community events and Festivals
Challenging and Exciting
Learn new skills for theatre and the modern world
Catherine Steer-O'Neill
Artistic Director
Team Member
Theatre training for children, teens and adults
Sunshine Coast Drama School
This drama school is based in Nambour Queensland Australia.
Session Times: Monday 4-6pm
and/or Wednesday 4-6pm
During State School term times
Anglican Church Hall Currie Street Nambour
We specialize in providing high-quality acting training for young people, with occasional opportunities for adults.
Founded in 2012 under the name Queensland School of Performing Arts, we have built a strong reputation for nurturing young talent. In early 2025, we embraced a renewed focus, narrowing our training to acting and proudly highlighting our roots on the magnificent Sunshine Coast in Queensland.
Based in Nambour, we have been a cornerstone of community for over a decade, offering affordable, engaging classes for young actors. Each class runs for an average of two hours, ensuring ample time for skill-building while remaining accessible to local families. To keep fees low, we use community halls, reflecting our understanding of the area’s economic needs.
Catherine Steer-O’Neill, Artistic Director, has trained hundreds of young actors over the past 12 years. Many of her students have pursued tertiary studies in theatre and have even returned to teach with us, fostering the next generation of performers.
Join us to explore the joy of acting and be part of a vibrant, supportive community.
Drama Training Experiences
Regular Drama training
In class every week we undertake drama games, improvization, rehearsal for production and build skills in voicework, scriptwork and character work.
It is necessary to experience solo, duo, and groupwork. Communication Skills develop only by working with all members of their ensemble.
We maintain a fantastically safe, friendly environment, no bullying, or cliques.
Siblings and close friends are encouraged to work with others and our sessions have only positive experiences.
Everyone is treated equally, no favorites and every person is able to audition for lead roles.
Imagination is at the core of our basic acting skills and develops quick thinking, imaginative actors who can devise a piece of work according to a given stimulus - such a title or shape and then rehearse and perform to others. All in a minimum time of 3 minutes!
Extra Drama Training
Students are taught as much as they can about different aspects of theatre, not just acting.
They will, at some point during any year experience circus skills, being taught how to juggle, balance items, clowning, all as a basis to grow a street act should they wish to.
Puppetry is also introduced and in 2024 some students roved and entertained at the inaugural Village Puppet Festival held in Mapleton, organized by Catherine Steer-O"Neill.
We also offer affordable music lessons, introduce the power of mask acting and Physical Theatre.
Todays actor needs to be able to have great projection, sing, a plethora of ways to create a character, a quick understanding of script for those all important cold reads and other skills in which to fall back on such as street theatre or even leading a drama ensemble.
We cover it all.
The actual training
In a year your son or daughter may experience any or all of these subjects and areas of performance:
Introduction to William Shakespeare's work, and perform in a Shakespeare play
Learn how to:
Improvise in under 4 minutes
Be able to create an engaging and convincing character - changing their voice, way of walking and attitude
Work as a solo actor, in a duo, or a large group
Experience fight choreography. From Age 8...to create highly convincing fight scenes for plays.
Experience directing a short piece or even a short play for performance
Learn many drama games and have a lot of fun doing them
Physical Theatre and Viewpoints...how to use their bodies, and to broaden their understanding of how different or unusual areas of a venue can contribute to engaging and imaginative work.
Learn about several playwrights or the origins and history of theatre or why theatre exists at all
Work on devising a play for performance with the Artistic Director
Perform to family/friends in at least two productions
Experience group singing and dance
Choreograph a dance or assist in same
Bring in their other talents ...from magic tricks to singing to acrobatics, we use all their talents where we can!
Lose their anxiety, make new friends and know how to manage big feelings
Be treated equally and respected . their opinion is important.
Acting training for children, teens and occasionally, adults.
How to join.....
Contact details: Contact us at qspa.acting@gmail.com or 07 54764376.
Your son/daughter can join us at their earliest convenience.
Trial fee: They may trial a class for $15, payable on the day to see if we are a good fit. This is deducted from term fee should they join. Sorry, no observers, parents, carers, prospective children, everyone joins in.....Acting students need freedom to engage in imaginative work.
Term Fees The fee is $175 per term any weeks missed before enrolment are of course, not included.
Sibling Fee Offer: For 2 or more siblings, the first child fee is $175 per term with siblings at a fee of $130 each.
Attire: We all wear black or dark top and long pants or shorts.
We are pretty firm on dress code for everyone's safety and wellbeing, no school uniforms, hanging jewellery, long hair should be tied back. We often work in bare feet - we are quite physically free in our work!
A bottle of water is handy, students should eat before arrival, it is a 2 hour session and we only have very quick toilet and water breaks.
There are no other charges to pay for other than fees.
Productions: We perform only to family and friends and try to offer at least 2 productions per year per class, ticket prices range from gold coin donation to $10.
Please note this is a barestage theatre school which means the focus is on acting development rather than copious costumes, lights and staging and the same children each time gaining the lead roles. Please note we do not offer Musical Theatre productions.
Sessions: Monday and Wednesdays 4 - 6pm at The Anglican Church Hall Currie Street Nambour.
You will be sent a map and an info flyer once you contact us and we always have time for any questions : )
Please arrive 10 minutes before session to complete an enrolment form and then its straight into fun warmup and games/rehearsal/acting skills.
Your son or daughter is GUARANTEED to have the best fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
My child has never performed...
This is fine, we teach Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced acting.
Can I watch, my child will be very nervous...
I'm sorry but no observers in session, ever, this has always been our rule. We do find that children will engage because the ensemble is so welcoming and they will be given a buddy.
We could arrange to call you if your child does not settle and really wants to disengage.
Safety?
Catherine Steer ONeill is an ex police officer, and has much experience in community environments, teaching in schools, community centres. The hall is locked during session, and we have an evac and lockdown procedure.
Catherine has extensive first aid skills, and Nambour Police Station is right next door : )
My child has other creative or sporting pursuits, they come first.
Putting on a production is no easy task and requires commitment from students and parents. An actor cannot be replaced at the last minute due to a preferred activity. Production dates are released early and all students expected to commit to those. If a sport season is starting in mid rehearsal period please consider early whether your son/daughter should take a role in the production or leave to do their sport.
We are going on holiday soon...
Please let me know your holiday dates in advance, that way we can do our best for your child and the ensemble.
Must they wear black, its so dark...
Black is the neutral canvas of theatre acting and environment. It removes some identity from the actor leaving them open to character creation and imaginative ideas far more easily. In one colour, everyone is equal regardless of which school they attend, cultural background, religion, ability. One colour looks professional when they all together performing.
Contact Us
Links
Find us on Facebook:
Currently we are Queensland School of Performing Arts - this business will be changing its name to Sunshine Drama School in Mid January 2025.
Other businesses managed by Catherine Steer-O'Neill:
Little Big World Puppet Theatre