"a total theatre experience'', according to the owner of the performing arts school, Mrs. Louise Jackson.

The Summer Theatre School offers classes to both juniors and teenagers during the July summer session which lasts for three-and-a-half weeks.

Said Mrs. Jackson: "We offer five and six-year-olds a course which teaches them all kinds of dance including ballet, tap and jazz.

"This age group also goes on field trips to places like the youth library where they look at books about dance, music and the arts. As well, we show them lots of dance videos.'' Instructed by Mrs. Jeanne Legere, the five and six-year-old dance camp is held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. until noon.

In addition, the School's musical comedy programme offers instruction in ballet, tap, jazz and drama to intermediate classes, of which there are two age groups, seven to ten-year-old students and 11-plus students.

The programme ends with a production for parents at the City Hall on the final day of classes, which run every weekday from 9 a.m. until noon, said Mrs.

Jackson.

"The kids learn to sing, dance and act especially for the show. They also learn about make-up, lighting and stage management. And they dress up in costume for the production. It really teaches them a lot about theatre.

"Last year, we put on `Aladdin' and in previous years, we've done `The Little Mermaid' and `CATS','' she said.

Summer programme coordinator and dance instructor Mrs. Barbara Frith added: "We're thinking of either doing `The Lion King' or `Beauty and the Beast' this year.

"We like to put on Disney productions because the kids are always enthusiastic. And they've usually seen the movie or they've heard about it.

Disney productions are nice and light too,'' she said.

Instructors often video-tape the children during class and rehearsal so they can see what they look and sound like, noted Mrs. Jackson. "It's a big help because it gives them a foot up the ladder. A lot of our students do commercials etcetera so this is good for them.'' The School accepts children of all performing arts abilities. In fact, the summer session gives those who don't have a lot of experience in dance the chance to catch up to kids in the fall programme, said Mrs. Jackson.

The School, which has three dance studios, four music studios and a drama studio, employs fully trained instructors with lots of experience both in teaching and performing.

Applications for the summer theatre programme should be in by the end of June at the latest, noted Mrs. Frith.

Said Mrs. Jackson: "We ask that all kids have their own ballet shoes. But we can make arrangements to lend them tap or jazz shoes for the summer session and we provide all the costumes for the show.'' The theatre school is very popular, noted Mrs. Jackson, adding that the musical comedy gives students the opportunity to perform and express themselves.