Question 1

Can my child try a class first?

Accepted Answer

Yes, every enrollment includes a first trial class with no obligation. This way, your child can join a theater session to experience the workshop’s atmosphere, meet the instructor, and see if the activity suits them. This trial class is ideal for helping them feel comfortable before fully signing up.

To take advantage of it, simply choose the desired time slot and complete the registration. If after this first class your young actor is happy, they can just continue with the next session. If not (which rarely happens!), contact us so we can set up a trial in another group or cancel your enrollment at no cost – in that case, the trial session is free.

Question 2

How do I sign my child up, and what are the payment options?

Accepted Answer

Signing up is simple and done online via our form. Choose the theater class (in Etoy or in Yverdon) corresponding to your child’s age, then fill in the requested information. Once enrolled, you will receive a confirmation email with all the practical details (schedule, exact location, etc.).

For payment, you have several options: pay the entire period at once or opt for monthly installments. Most families prefer a monthly payment plan spread over 12 months (for example, about CHF 89 per month for a weekly 75-minute class). This spreads the cost from September to August without too much strain. If you enroll your child partway through the course, the price will be adjusted pro rata for the remaining sessions. Note that, depending on your municipality or canton, financial aid may be available for extracurricular activities — we of course accept such aid if applicable.

Question 3

What is the group size?

Accepted Answer

Our theater workshops are held in small groups to ensure personal attention, quality arts education, and a good team spirit. On average, groups have between 6 and 14 participants, depending on the age group (children, teens, etc.). We make sure not to exceed this number so that each participant fully benefits from the teacher’s guidance and can actively take part in the activities. These small groups encourage cohesion and allow each child to find their place at their own pace, all while maintaining a lively group dynamic.

Question 4

Are these classes open to beginners?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Our workshops welcome both beginners and more experienced kids and teens. No prior experience is required — everyone is welcome, even if they’ve never set foot on stage before. The instructor adapts the exercises and the workshop’s pace for each student. Beginners progress step by step, learn theater basics (voice work, movement, simple improvisations), and gain confidence with each session. There’s no competition or pressure: the important thing is that each student has fun while learning. In fact, many of our students discover theater at Apolline without any background and they flourish quickly thanks to the workshop’s welcoming atmosphere.

Question 5

Are there discounts for families?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we offer a 10% sibling discount on the second enrollment (and on each additional child) for the same family. In plain terms, if two or more of your children sign up, you get 10% off the fees for the second child. This family discount is applied automatically during online registration. For example, the oldest child pays the normal rate and the younger sibling gets a 10% reduction. It’s our way of making artistic activities more accessible for families with multiple kids.

Question 6

What measures ensure the children’s safety and well-being?

Accepted Answer

The safety and well-being of our students are our absolute priority. Our instructors are trained to supervise children and teens in a caring, respectful environment. Each session takes place in an appropriate, spacious, secure room with proper equipment to avoid minor accidents. From the very first class, we establish rules of respect and kindness within the group so that everyone feels comfortable. Our teaching team stays very attentive: if a child doesn’t feel well or gets hurt, we take care of them immediately and notify the parents. Each family is also required to have the necessary insurance (health and accident) for their child, and École Apolline carries its own liability insurance for all activities. In summary, everything is set up so that the children have fun in total safety and parents can have peace of mind.

Question 7

Is there a performance at the end of the year?

Accepted Answer

Yes, after each season, a show caps off the work the children have done throughout the year. The school organizes Apolline Fest, a festival where the different classes present the fruit of their learning on stage. The students from Etoy and Yverdon thus have the opportunity to step onto the stage in front of a supportive audience composed of their families and friends. It’s a major highlight of the school year: the kids are proud to show their progress and to experience a real theatrical performance. Of course, participation in the show is optional — no student is required to perform if they’re not up for it — but most absolutely love having this unique experience. Our instructors prepare the students with care so that this performance becomes a joyful memory, without unnecessary stress. The goal is to celebrate the end of a theater cycle together, have fun, and share wonderful emotions as a family, whether on stage or in the audience.

Question 8

Do you offer any theater camps during school breaks?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We offer intensive theater camps during the summer break in Lausanne and Etoy. This camp allows your young actor to enjoy a full week immersion in theater (Monday to Friday), with no overnight stay (children go home each evening). It’s an ideal opportunity to discover or deepen their practice of theater in a fun, caring, and high-energy setting! Outside of this summer camp, our regular courses run only during the school year. For other disciplines, École Apolline also offers arts camps during school holidays, notably in visual arts or musical theater. As of now, all activities are day-only with no lodging – participants return home in the evenings. Feel free to check our website regularly to see our upcoming sessions.

Question 9

What is the cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

If you need to withdraw during the term, please let us know as soon as possible so we can find the best solution. According to our rules, any term that has started is due in full (except in cases of force majeure or serious medical reasons with a certificate). In other words, if your child stops mid-year, you are still responsible for the entire year’s fees, because we commit to our instructors and reserve your child’s spot for the duration. However, we remain understanding in case of unforeseen exceptional circumstances (moving out of the area, major health issue, etc.) and will try to find an amicable solution case by case. Our advice: take advantage of the free trial class to confirm that your child enjoys the activity before committing for the whole period. For more details on cancellation terms, you can consult our regulations or contact us directly.

Question 10

Why is theater beneficial for children and teens?

Accepted Answer

Theater is an extremely beneficial activity for young people in many ways. First, it’s a fun form of expression that allows kids to channel their energy and imagination in a creative way. By playing characters, inventing stories, or performing scripts, a child develops their creativity and gains confidence. A theater workshop offers a safe environment where the young artist learns to speak in public, articulate clearly, and modulate their voice – all useful skills in everyday life and at school. From a language perspective, working on scripts and diction expands their vocabulary and improves their speaking abilities. Theater also encourages teamwork and socialization: by interacting with other kids through role-play and improvisation, a child learns to listen, cooperate, respect others’ ideas, and adapt to the group. Whether your young performer is naturally shy or very outgoing, theater can suit their personality and help them thrive. For very reserved children, drama is a wonderful personal development tool – a kind of gentle therapy that helps them come out of their shell without pressure. For kids brimming with energy, it’s an excellent outlet to channel all that enthusiasm and direct it into an artistic project. In short, doing theater from a young age (even once they’re past the toddler stage!) contributes to a child’s overall growth. It’s an activity that is both fun and educational, nicely complementing school by developing essential psychosocial skills. And above all, it’s a great pleasure: children love to dress up, imitate characters or animals, and let their imagination run wild – so they might as well do it in a structured setting where they can get the most out of it!

Question 11

What’s the difference between theater and improv?

Accepted Answer

While theater and improvisation are two closely related performing arts, they have a few key differences. In a “classic” theater class, you generally work from written texts (plays, scripted scenes, dialogues). Students learn to portray a role, memorize lines, stage a story, and sometimes integrate concrete elements like costumes or sets. Traditional theater thus provides a structured framework: there’s an established script, defined characters, and staging planned in advance. Conversely, theatrical improvisation relies on spontaneity and instant creativity. In an improv workshop, there is no pre-written script – the performers invent their scenes live, often based on a given theme or suggestions from the audience. It involves a lot of active listening, quick reactions, imagination, and trust within the group. Kids who practice improv learn to think on their feet, to accept their partners’ ideas (the “yes, and…” principle), and to build stories together on the fly. It’s a very playful discipline that develops ease in speaking, witty comebacks, and team spirit. In summary, theater with a script requires more preparation up front (reading and rehearsals, set design), whereas improvisation demands a great capacity for adaptation and spur-of-the-moment creation. The two approaches are complementary: many young performers do improv to gain spontaneity and classic theater to deepen their acting. In both cases, your child develops valuable skills while having fun – either within a structured framework or in total freedom on stage.

Question 12

Can theater be a therapeutic or personal development tool?

Accepted Answer

Theater, while not a therapy in the strict sense, can have therapeutic benefits and is a fantastic personal development tool for children and adults alike. In theater class, we explore emotions, express ourselves through body and voice, and learn to know ourselves better – all of which can help overcome certain personal difficulties. For example, a very anxious or insecure child can gradually overcome their shyness through drama, by getting used to expressing themselves in front of others in a supportive context. Similarly, acting exercises are sometimes used in professional coaching to work on public speaking, stress management, or self-confidence. For instance, even adults in career transition or job seekers can benefit from theater exercises to gain assurance in job interviews after a period of unemployment. There’s even a discipline called drama therapy (theater therapy) that explicitly uses theater play for therapeutic purposes, led by health professionals. Theater is also sometimes used as a form of group mediation – for example in family or couples therapy – to help participants communicate differently and express their feelings via role-play.Of course, our theater workshops in Etoy and Yverdon are above all educational and artistic leisure activities, not therapy sessions. Nevertheless, the benefits they bring – personal growth, increased confidence, emotional management, social bonding – undeniably contribute to each participant’s mental and emotional well-being. In short, theater does a world of good for psychological health while being a creative and fun activity: it’s a win-win all around!

Question 13

My child dreams of acting in movies – can theater help?

Accepted Answer

Many film actors started out in theater, and for good reason: theater is an excellent foundation for later launching into an acting career, whether on stage or in front of the camera. If your child dreams of becoming a movie actor, enrolling them in a theater class now is a great way to introduce them to acting. Theater will teach them to portray different characters, project their voice, work on their diction, express emotions with their body, and understand stage direction… All of these skills are just as crucial for a film actor. Granted, acting in front of a camera has its specifics (for example, adjusting one’s performance to close-ups and the presence of a film crew), but the basics remain the same: embodying a character in a believable and nuanced way. By doing theater, a young aspiring actor gains confidence, broadens their range of expression, and acquires the discipline needed to rehearse and perform regularly in front of an audience. All this prepares them very well for future auditions and castings in the film industry. In fact, many casting directors appreciate candidates with theater experience, since those actors know how to project their voice, memorize a script, and adapt to stage directions. In summary, theater offers an ideal training ground for anyone aiming for the seventh art (cinema). Of course, later on your child can complement their learning with on-camera workshops or studies at film school, but their years of theater in Etoy and Yverdon will already have given them a solid foundation and valuable stage experience.

Question 14

Do you have theater classes in Geneva or other cities?

Accepted Answer

For now, our theater classes for children are offered in Etoy and Yverdon, in the canton of Vaud. We don’t yet have a class in Geneva or elsewhere in French-speaking Switzerland, but that may change in the future. Given the growing interest in our workshops, we’re considering opening classes in other cities soon – for example in Geneva. So feel free to follow our news if you’re interested in courses closer to home. Additionally, Apolline already offers musical theater classes in French-speaking Switzerland, notably in Geneva – an option to consider if your kids also love singing and dancing. But when it comes to pure theater, for now our Etoy and Yverdon locations are the only two. We’d be delighted to welcome your child there and guide them in discovering theater!

Question 15

Do you offer theater classes in Lausanne?

Accepted Answer

Our current classes take place in Etoy and Yverdon, but we regularly have families from Lausanne attend. Etoy is only about twenty minutes from Lausanne by train or car, which makes it easy for people from Lausanne to join our workshops. At this time, we don’t yet offer theater classes directly in Lausanne (aside from summer camps during the summer break). However, given the growing demand in the Lausanne area, we are considering expanding our activities to that city in the future. Keep an eye on our announcements: as soon as classes are available in Lausanne, we will inform our community.

Question 16

Does my child need to audition or be selected to enroll?

Accepted Answer

No, there is no audition or selection required to join our theater courses. There’s no entry screening process – all children are welcome in our workshops, regardless of their level or experience. The goal is simply to spark their desire to learn and let them progress at their own pace, with no competitive spirit. Enrollment is done solely based on age (to place your young artist in the appropriate group), and we only ask for the usual practical information (contact details, any special needs, emergency contact, etc.). No artistic criteria are required at sign-up: they just need to enjoy theater and want to be a part of it!

Question 17

How does theater help in my child’s education?

Accepted Answer

Theater is an excellent educational complement, because it allows a child to learn while having fun. Academically, theater workshops reinforce many skills, especially language and social skills. For example, putting on a play requires reading and understanding a text, which enriches vocabulary and improves oral expression – a real plus from a language standpoint. The child also learns to listen to instructions, work in a team, and speak in front of others, all assets that help at school as well as in daily life. This activity usefully complements traditional schooling: it develops creativity, memory, concentration, and self-confidence, all of which support overall educational success. In short, theater provides a valuable boost to your child’s education by teaching them soft skills and life skills in a playful, interactive way.

Question 18

What is musical theater?

Accepted Answer

A musical is a form of live show that combines three stage arts: theater, dance, and singing. In other words, in a musical, the performers alternate between acting scenes, singing numbers, and dancing choreography to tell a story. This multidisciplinary art is very popular among teens and adults, as it allows one to explore multiple facets of performing at once. In a musical, you might see actors who sing while acting, or dancers who act while dancing. Famous musical productions include The Lion King, Les Misérables, and Mamma Mia. Unlike a “classic” theater class (which focuses on acting and interpreting scripts), a musical theater class also allows students to work on their singing voice and rhythmic movement (dance). It’s an ideal choice for kids who love singing as much as acting, or who are torn between theater and dance – musical theater brings these three disciplines together in one fun and comprehensive class.

Question 19

What different theater class options are available in French-speaking Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

École Apolline: Based in several towns in Vaud, Apolline offers drama workshops for children and teens aged 8 to 14, as well as intensive camps during school vacations. The school favors a caring approach focused on personal development, creativity, and arts education. École EnJeu (Lausanne): Located in downtown Lausanne, this school provides drama workshops for youth from age 4 up to about 22, and also organizes camps during school breaks. École Lerel (Lausanne): Led by Laurence Lerel, this school offers acting and film workshops from age 9, with an approach centered on improvisation and interpretation. Théâtre en Chantier (Lausanne): Offers artistic and physical expression workshops from age 6, held in various neighborhoods of Lausanne. TJP – Jeunes de Pully: Founded in 1979, the TJP provides drama training for young people, punctuated by regular performances.

Theatre classes in Yverdon

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Weekly schedule

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The venue of this class

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Your teacher

Frequently asked questions

Can my child try a class first?

How do I sign my child up, and what are the payment options?

What is the group size?

Theatre classes in Etoy

Theater Classes in Etoy and Yverdon

At a glance

Program

Techniques Covered

Weekly schedule

Prices

The venue of this class

L'étoile

Your teacher

Frequently asked questions

Can my child try a class first?

How do I sign my child up, and what are the payment options?

What is the group size?

This class in other cities

Theatre classes in Etoy

Theater Classes in Etoy and Yverdon