Director Lis Shelley began teaching after-school drama classes in 2013 at Pambula Primary School, then moved to Pambula Town Hall as the demand for classes grew.

In that time Ms Shelley has seen hundreds of young people, including young adults with a disability develop their self-confidence and learning practical stage and film skills. Guest tutors from Canberra and the Bega Valley have also taught a range of skills including puppetry, stage lighting, hip hop, flamenco and singing.

"Some students arrive very shy and say nothing for several weeks. Some arrive very self assured but perhaps don't know how to work with others. We use a lot of different games to introduce drama concepts to students. After a term or two all of the students are working together to create a performance or a short film and learn that it takes all kinds of people to make the magic happen,” Ms Shelley said. 

“Not everyone is into sport; drama offers an alternative way to interact with a group.”

“We give young people a way to express themselves in different roles in a supportive environment as they grow into young adults. Many of our senior students are electing drama in later years either for their HSC or at uni and do very well," she said.

StageFlight senior students participate in the YoofTube Youth Film Festival each year and have received awards for their work. 

"We are often approached to recommend experienced students to perform in, or work as crew for, locally produced theatre, films and TV ads.”

“We also teach adults who want to develop their self confidence or who simply want to experience the joy of theatre. For businesses, we have helped train staff through role playing and team building workshops.

“To watch adults realise how much fun learning can be when they are given permission to play - even if the underlying message is serious - really makes my day," Ms Shelley said. 

More information about StageFlight at www.stageflight.com.au.