Chookas
Acting School
for Kids & Teens
STAGE AND SCREEN in Briar Hill
A place where every kid belongs.
Relaxed, fun acting classes for ages 7–15.
ABOUT US
What is Chookas?
Chookas is a small, community-driven acting school based at Sherbourne Primary School in Briar Hill, serving families across Greensborough, Eltham, Diamond Creek, and Melbourne's north-east. We run after-school classes every Thursday during the school term for kids aged 7 to 15 — covering stage, screen, and everything in between.
This isn't a high-pressure environment. There are no auditions to get in and no experience is required. Chookas is a place where kids can be themselves, try something new, and feel like they belong.
Whether your child is the loudest in the room or the quietest, they'll find their people here.
Why "Chookas"? In Australian theatre, "chookas" is what performers say to wish each other good luck, kind of like "break a leg." It goes back to the early 1900s, when a full house meant the cast would be treated to chicken after the show. Someone would peek at the audience, and if it was packed, they'd shout "Chookas!" We chose the name because it captures exactly what we're about — community, good vibes, and showing up for each other.
WHY ACTING
More Than Acting — It's Where
Confidence Grows
Acting classes give kids something they don't always get in the classroom.
A chance to be heard, to express themselves, and to figure out who they are, in a space that's built around fun, not pressure.
Find
Their Voice
Shy kids, loud kids, somewhere-in-between kids. Acting gives every child a way to express themselves with confidence. It's not about being perfect. It's about being brave enough to try.
Build Real Friendships
There's something about creating together that bonds kids in a way other activities don't. They learn to collaborate, listen, and support each other, and they have a great time doing it.
Create Something They're Proud Of
From learning a scene to making a short film, kids walk away from each term with something real they've built together. That sense of achievement sticks with them well beyond the classroom.
OUR CLASSES
Classes That Meet Your Child
Where They Are
Every kid starts somewhere different, and that's a good thing. Our classes are grouped by experience,
not just age, so your child always feels comfortable and challenged at the right level.
Beginner
Acting
No experience needed
For kids who are curious about acting but haven't done it before or just want a relaxed start. We use theatre games, improvisation, and creative play to build confidence and get comfortable performing in a group.
Acting for
Film/Film Making
Lights, Camera, Action
A hands-on introduction to acting for the screen and filmmaking itself. Kids learn how on-camera performance differs from stage, and get involved in the full process: scripting, shooting, and editing their own short films.
Intermediate
Acting
Building on foundations
For kids who've done some acting and are ready to go deeper. We work on scene study, character development, and more structured performances, still fun, still supportive, but with more creative challenge.
OUR LOCATION
Our Classes Are Held At
Sherbourne Primary School
17 Outlook Crescent, Briar Hill. VIC. 3088
MEET SARAH & JAKE
The Creative Duo Behind
Chookas Acting School
Sarah and Jake met whilst studying at La Trobe University and their shared love of music, theatre and education brought them together.
Chookas was born from a desire to help young people discover confidence, creativity and self-expression through the arts.
Run by real performers who genuinely love working with kids. This isn't a side gig, it's a passion project built on years of creating, performing, and bringing people together.
Sarah's Story
Sarah graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) and holds a Diploma of Screen and Media from RMIT.
A lifelong performer and songwriter, Sarah has been writing songs, playing guitar and performing since childhood. During her time at La Trobe, she was a core member of the Student Theatre and Film Society, performing in numerous cabarets and plays.
After graduating, Sarah co-founded Picked Last For Sport with her friend Ryan Smith, a creative collective that has produced six original shows for the Melbourne Fringe Festival and Melbourne Comedy Festival.
Jake' Story
Jake earned a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Theatre, Drama and Media, followed by a Graduate Diploma of Education (Middle Years). He is also a VIT registered teacher.
During his time at La Trobe, Jake was heavily involved in Student Theatre and Film. He was also part of the early days of Picked Last For Sport, contributing as both a performer and collaborator.
Why Chookas
Chookas brings together professional theatre experience, music, teaching and a genuine love of helping young people grow.
Every program is designed to help students build confidence, express themselves creatively and feel supported as they explore the performing arts.
TESTIMONIALS
Don’t take our word for it!
Lauren
"Sarah has been fantastic to communicate with and the lessons provide a relaxed small group environment for my kids to develop natural curiosity and confidence with their acting and drama skills. The kids always want to go each week and always walk out happy. To me, that's a win!"
Liana
"My daughter has built up so much confidence in her beginners acting class with Sarah and Jake. She always comes out giggling from the adventures had! Sarah and Jake really encourage her creativity and input. Every class member gets to share ideas and they all support each other beautifully."
Elara, 11 years
"Sarah and Jake are really nice and funny and when you ask questions, they always help us out. They helped me with my expression and taught me not be afraid to perform in front of different people"
Adam, 9 years
"The teachers always try to include your ideas into the lessons, which makes us enjoy it even more. Sarah and Jake are really kind and always make me feel included.
HOW IT WORKS
Getting Started is Easy
Follow the steps below and your child could be in class this Thursday.
Book a
Free Trial
Fill in the form below or get in touch, we'll find the right class for your child and save them a spot.
Come along
on Thursday
Your child joins a class, meets the group, and gets a real feel for what Chookas is all about. No pressure, no commitment.
Create Something They're Proud Of
From learning a scene to making a short film, kids walk away from each term with something real they've built together. That sense of achievement sticks with them well beyond the classroom.
FREE TRIAL
Not Sure Yet?
Try a Class for Free
We get it, signing your child up for something new can feel like a big step.
That's why every kid's first class at Chookas is completely free. A chance to see if it's the right fit.
FAQS
Questions Parents Ask
What ages are classes for?
Our classes are for kids aged 7 to 15. We group students by experience level rather than strict age brackets, so every child feels comfortable and appropriately challenged.
Does my child need any acting experience?
Not at all. Our Beginner Acting class is designed for kids who've never set foot on a stage (or in front of a camera). We meet every child where they are, the only thing they need to bring is a willingness to have a go.
When and where are the classes held
Classes run every Thursday after school during the school term at Sherbourne Primary School in Briar Hill, just minutes from Greensborough. Get in touch for the exact address and class times for each level.
My child is quite shy, will they be ok?
More than okay. Some of our most confident performers started out as the quietest kids in the room. We've built Chookas specifically to be a low-pressure, supportive environment. There's no forcing anyone into the spotlight — we let kids warm up at their own pace, and they almost always surprise themselves.
How much do classes cost?
Classes are charged per school term. Get in touch with us for current pricing, we're always happy to chat about what's included and help you find the right option for your family.
What's the difference between stage and screen classes?
Our Beginner and Intermediate classes focus on stage performance — things like improvisation, scene work, character development, and live performance skills. Our Acting for Film class is all about on-camera technique, plus the filmmaking process itself — scripting, shooting, and editing. Some kids do both!
GET IN TOUCH
Find Us in Briar Hill
Got questions? Want to book a free trial? We'd love to hear from you. Drop us a message and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Location
Sherbourne Primary School, Briar Hill VIC 3088
Serving Greensborough, Eltham, Diamond Creek, Montmorency & surrounds