If you’ve been part of StageAbility for a while, you might notice we’re doing something a little different this year when it comes to booking our Summer Drama Camps. We wanted to explain why. Not in a salesy way, just honestly.
What’s been happening behind the scenes
Over the past couple of years, we’ve noticed a clear shift. Families are booking later and later for holiday activities. We completely understand why. Life is busy. Plans change. And it often feels easier to wait until closer to the time.
But for us, this creates a real challenge.
Summer camps aren’t something we can pull together at the last minute. They take weeks of planning, organising venues, confirming staffing, building the right team and shaping a project that works for the group of children attending.
When bookings come in very late, it puts us in a difficult position. We’re trying to make big decisions without knowing whether a project will run. That uncertainty doesn’t just affect me. It affects my team too.
Supporting the people who make it all happen
Our drama coaches are a huge part of what makes StageAbility special. They bring the energy, creativity and care that children respond to so well.
In the past, when bookings have come in late, we’ve had situations where staff have been pencilled in, held dates, turned down other work… and then we’ve had to make last-minute changes. That’s not something I feel comfortable with.
We want to be able to confirm our team properly, give them security, and build the strongest possible group of coaches for your children.
Creating the best possible experience for your child
There’s another important piece to this. The earlier we know who is coming, the better we can shape the experience. We don’t run “one size fits all” projects. We adapt what we do based on the group, their ages, their personalities and how many children are involved.
Early bookings allow us to:
- Plan the right structure for the group
- Create a project that suits the children attending
- Allocate staff appropriately
- Make sure every child has a positive, well-supported experience
In short, it helps us deliver the kind of week we’re known for.
So what’s changing?
This year, instead of opening bookings in the usual way, we’re introducing pre-registration. It’s a simple step, but it makes a big difference.
By pre-registering, you’re telling us: “We’re interested. Keep us in the loop.” There’s no commitment and no obligation to book. But it gives us a much clearer picture early on, which helps us plan with confidence.
How this helps you as a parent
We’ve also designed this change to benefit families, not just us. When you pre-register, you’ll:
- Get priority access before places are released more widely
- Have the best chance of securing a place that suits you
- Be offered the lowest available price
- Be able to plan your summer earlier and with more certainty
We know how stressful it can be when things fill up quickly or when you’re trying to piece together childcare and activities at the last minute.
A better experience all round
Ultimately, this change is about creating something better for everyone: More certainty for our team, better planning for us, a reward for our loyal custmers and a stronger, more enjoyable experience for your child.
We’re really excited about what this will allow us to create this summer.
If you’d like to be part of it, pre-registering takes less than 30 seconds and simply puts you at the front of the queue.
Here are the links you need!
TEEN Summer Theatre Project – Lower Earley
https://stageability.eo.page/teen-summer
MORTIMER ‘A Show in a Week’ Summer Drama Camp
https://stageability.eo.page/mortss2026
TILEHURST ‘A Show in a Week’ Summer Drama Camp
https://stageability.eo.page/thss2026
WOKINGHAM ‘A Show in a Week’ Summer Drama Camp
https://stageability.eo.page/whss2026
And as always, if you have any questions, please get in touch.