Welcome to our new home!

There has never been a better time to be training at Emil Dale.

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Q&A

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  Emil Dale Letchworth - The new home of all-round Musical Theatre training.

  There really has never been a better time to be training at Emil Dale.

  
  

  To all full time and part time students, parents, staff, new 2024 starters, prospective students, partners, graduates/alumni and stakeholders, we are delighted to announce that Emil Dale Academy will be moving to new premises in September 2024.

  
  

  We are moving only 10 minutes around the corner from our current location. The first day of term in our new home will be September 2024. The remainder of this academic year will be at our current location in Hitchin.

  
  

  This page should answer any questions you may have and keep you up to date at this exciting time in Emil Dale Academy history. 

  
  

  We have set up a dedicated 'move team' to ensure a seamless transition for all staff and students who will be led by Beatrice Pryor. After carefully looking, if your question is not answered on this page please email OurNewHome@emildale.co.uk  

  Move Information/ Visiting Information

  Why are we moving?

  We would like our facilities to match our world class training in musical theatre.  With more accessibility, more space, more resources and better facilities, in a stunning location to optimise creativity and wellbeing for staff and students, our premises will match our training standards.

  
  

  This is so exciting I want to work at Emil Dale. Are you recruiting?

  Yes, and we would love to hear from you! Please see the latest jobs here: www.emildale.co.uk/eda/recruitment.php

  
  

  I am so excited and want to collaborate with Emil Dale who do I contact?

  Email OurNewHome@emildale.co.uk to discuss opportunities.

  
  

  Are you going to have an open day so we can look around with our family?

  Yes, we can't wait to welcome you to our new home! You can add yourself to our mailing list by emailing your request here: admissions@emildale.co.uk

  
  

  How many months until we move?

  We will be starting the new academic year at our new premises (September 2024). At the time of writing, you have 7 months to look at transport, parking and living arrangements.

  
  

  What is the address of the Letchworth site?

  Emil Dale Academy, Broadway, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 3NX 

  
  

  I have questions about the move, who can I contact?

  Firstly, please carefully read this to ensure your question hasn't been answered here - if not, please email the team at OurNewHome@emildale.co.uk 

  
  

  What will happen with the main building in Hitchin and Lime?

  We plan to keep them open for the foreseeable future.

  
  

  Why have you announced this now?

  We have given as much notice as possible (at the time of writing we have 7 months until the move to the new premises). We have been working with Letchworth Heritage, the Department of Education and contractors for the last 4 years on this move and got the official green light in January 2024.

  
  

  Will the renovation work be done in stages?

  Yes - There will be two phases of work.

  Phase 1 will be the majority of the work to be completed, ready to start before the new site opens. All of the critical resources and facilities will be in place for the opening in September.

  Phase 2 will be things that are not critical to the courses and therefore may not be in place for September, but will be scheduled for completion in the next work package (time frame TBC). 

  
  

  Will the email addresses and contact details remain the same?

  For information about the new building/ move, please email our dedicated email address: OurNewHome@emildale.co.uk

  
  

  Our regular contact email addresses remain as:

  info@emildale.co.uk for general enquiries

  admissions@emildale.co.uk for applications to the full-time courses

  part-time@emildale.co.uk for enquiries and information on our part-time courses

  accounts@emildale.co.uk for accounts and financial queries

  absences@emildale.co.uk for daily absence notifications

  accommodation@emildale.co.uk for accommodation questions and enquiries

  
  

  The phone number for Emil Dale Academy and Part-time remains as 01462 677808

  
  

  I have only just seen this announcement in the press and want to know why I was not informed?

  We have taken every step to ensure our communication has been carefully thought through in stages. We have made every effort to communicate face to face where possible and sent emails and notifications through all of our communication channels. If your contact information is up to date with us, then you should have received our emails/ notifications. Please check your junk mail, and we apologise if you have not received this.

  Course/ Class Information
  

  Which courses will run in the new building?

  All full-time and part-time courses will run in the new building from September 2024 (Emil Dale Academy, Broadway, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 3NX.)

  
  

  I have an audition coming up this year where will it be located?

  All remaining auditions for September 2024 entry will be at our Hitchin site. Please follow the information in the email you have sent. Nothing has changed.

  
  

  I have accepted my place at Emil Dale for 2024 entry will I have a chance to look around before I start my course?

  We are so excited for you! You will be training in our brand new home. Yes we have arranged for all 'New Starters' for September 2024 entry to come to an induction day on 3rd July 2024. This will be held in Hitchin, but there will be an opportunity to come and look at the new building with your families in Letchworth on the same day.

  
  

  I am starting a full-time or part-time course in September 2024. Where will I be training?

  We are delighted that all of our classes and operations will move to the new building - Emil Dale Academy, Broadway, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 3NX.

  
  

  When and where is my induction day if I am a new starter for September 2024?

  Your induction day is on Wednesday 3rd July. Please check your emails for times - you will be asked to attend the Hitchin site first, with allocated timeslots to visit Letchworth afterwards. The reason we are doing it this way is because there will still be significant renovations and moving happening in July.

  
  

  I am a member Emil Dale Part-Time on Sundays, Extend, Pee-Wees or have Private 1 to 1 singing lessons where will they take place?

  We are delighted that all of our classes and operations will move to the new building - Emil Dale Academy, Broadway, Letchworth, Hertfordshire, SG6 3NX.

  
  

  I am a parent/ guardian of a part-time member. Where do I drop off and pick up from?

  We request that parents/ guardians park in nearby car parks or roads (please be mindful not to inconvenience our neighbours) and walk the part-time members to/ from the building. 

  An important part of Emil Dale Part-Time safety procedures will be that members will not be allowed to leave the building unescorted if they are under the age of 16. Therefore parents/guardians must park, and come to the door to collect where one of the part-time team will actively ensure the member gets to a responsible person safely. 

  Please do not park and ask the member to meet you at the car, as they will not be released until you have met them at the door.

  
  

  Please note, Morrisons car park is renowned for administering fines if you are not shopping there but use the car park.

  
  

  What date do full time students start in September 2024? 

  Monday 23rd September 2024.

  
  

  What date do part-time members officially start in September 2024?

  Sunday 29th September 2024.

  
  

  What date do Associates start in September 2024?

  Sunday 15th September 2024.

  
  

  Where will I be performing the full-scale shows?

  The Factory Playhouse in Hitchin (60 Wilbury Way, Hitchin) will remain open and will be where the Sixth Form, Degree, Gap Year courses, and some part-time performances will have their productions held.

  
  

  I am on the degree course at EDA, will I still get a London showcase?

  Yes! This will not change. We advertised when you accepted your place that a London Showcase was part of your course, and we will continue to offer this regardless of the move.

  
  

  Will my fees increase?

  The fees will not increase for September 2024 as a result of the new building. If you have signed up for a course, the fees are as advertised to you at the time of applying/ accepting your place.

  
  

  Where will the 2024 summer school be?

  For 2024 only, the Summer School will be held at our Hitchin site (60 Wilbury Way, Hitchin, SG4 0TP) whilst we finalise building works at the new site ready for the move.

  
  

  I attended an open day, but now your premises have changed – was my trip a waste of time?

  Not all all, your trip was still worthwhile – we are still maintaining the two buildings that you visited, with productions/ shows still occurring at the main site. In addition, the courses, course content, course fees, teaching approach, welfare, learning and faculty remain the same. The upgrade of premises will bring even more benefits and enhance the student experience at EDA.

  Whilst we have done our best to speed the process along to confirm the new premises, this has taken significant time and we only received sign-off in January. However, we truly hope you can visit us again on our Open House day - date TBC.

  Transport/ Travel

  How far is Letchworth from the Hitchin site?

  10 minutes from our Hitchin location by car, in Letchworth Garden City.

  
  

  What are the nearest transport links?

  Letchworth train station is a 5 minute walk from our Letchworth building.

  
  

  The most convenient bus route from Hitchin is the 97/98 which stops outside the train station.

  The most convenient bus route from Stevenage is the number 55 (again stops outside the train station).
  

  
  

  How far is the train station in Letchworth to the new site?

  5 minute walk.

  
  

  What are the bus links?

  The most convenient bus route from Hitchin is the 97/98 which stops outside the train station.

  The most convenient bus route from Stevenage is the number 55 (again stops outside the train station).

  
  

  Is there parking for staff and students?

  There is plenty of parking around the local area of Letchworth including local car parks and neighbouring roads. We suggest that students/staff park wisely so not to upset or disturb neighbours. 

  
  

  The local car parks will incur a charge which must be factored in to a student's/ staff weekly budget. We recommend looking at car sharing options, or using local transport primarily. The onsite parking is reserved for administrative and management staff at Emil Dale.

  Hosts
  

  I currently live with a host, do I have to move/ can I move?

  We are very fortunate to have hosts situated all across Hitchin, Stevenage, Biggleswade, Luton, Baldock, surrounding villages and indeed Letchworth itself. If you are already with a host and do not wish to move, you do not have to! You will need to look at alternative travel arrangements to get to the new premises, and this must be factored in to your logistical and financial planning for the next academic year and beyond.

  
  

  We understand that students wish to be located as close as possible to our premises, but this is not always possible even in our current location. We ask for students to be flexible with their requests - if you do not need to move we ask you to remain with your host as we start to build up a new bank of host accommodation options in the new location. 

  
  

  I am an accommodation host, will I no longer be needed?

  We still need all of our incredible host accommodation options. 

  Letchworth is only 10 minutes away from Hitchin and many of our current hosts are not based in Hitchin anyway. 

  
  

  We continue to require host accommodation, and if you wish to remain doing so or if you have any questions to become a host please email accommodation@emildale.co.uk

  Local Area

  I am a Letchworth resident what will this mean for my community?

  The Old Letchworth Grammar School has been unoccupied for several years and so by Emil Dale Academy taking up residence there we hope to bring a vibrant, exciting and fresh lease of life to the building and inject this into the local community. Our students will inevitably be a larger presence in the town, wanting accommodation, jobs and spending money in local businesses.

  
  

  We will also be holding events, classes and offering space hire which will enhance what Letchworth has to offer and benefit the local community.

  
  

  If you have any questions about hiring spaces or putting on events at the new building, please email OurNewHome@emildale.co.uk.

  
  

  We will be offering an open house day for Letchworth residents to meet the team and see what we have done with the building, we sincerely hope to integrate our operations into the heart of Letchworth and work closely with the community to bolster Letchworth's presence in North Hertfordshire and beyond!

  
  

  Is there a gym in Letchworth?

  Yes, there are eight gyms in Letchworth! Anytime Fitness is a 3 minute walk from Emil Dale Letchworth.

  Full list:

  Anytime Fitness Letchworth (3 min walk)

  Fearnhill Sports Centre

  Branx Fitness

  Evolution Health & Fitness

  North Herts Leisure Centre

  Studio 180

  Strive Fitness

  Elle Hale Fitness Studio

  
  

  Letchworth also has an outdoor pool (just like Hitchin does) for you to enjoy in the Summer! 

  Studio Hire Options

  Can spaces at the new building be hired out?

  Yes, we will be putting together studio/ room hire packages at the new building (subject to availability), to work around the day-to-day use for the Academy and Part-time schools. We are keen for local businesses/ business owners to reach out to us if they would like to hire spaces. Email OurNewHome@emildale.co.uk for more information.

  
  

  Similarly, if you are a current student of Emil Dale, you will be able to book studios during the college day and occasionally after college ends too - you can speak to someone on reception about this.

  
  

  If you are a graduate of Emil Dale and wish to use studio space, there will be a graduate hire package available to you. Email OurNewHome@emildale.co.uk for more information.

  
  

  When can spaces be hired?

  Depending on demand/ use of space, we would consider hiring out spaces after 5pm until 9pm Monday - Friday, or all day on a Saturday or Sunday (9am - 5pm).

  During school holidays there will also be options for meeting room hire, school camps/ classes, training sessions - we are open to any suggestions!

  
  

  What will you hire out rooms for?

  We will consider hiring our spaces for:

  Studio hire/ practice rooms

  Professional rehearsal rooms/ audition spaces

  Sound proofed rooms for recording

  Regular classes that you wish to provide (i.e. yoga, dance classes, fitness classes, art classes, children's classes) **Note, there will also be changing rooms available

  Party hire (including bringing in external equipment such as soft play equipment - providing suitable insurances are in place from the hire company)

  Training sessions/ away afternoons

  Interviews

  Read-throughs

  Filming projects

  Corporate presentations

  R&D projects

  Production meetings

  Private singing lessons

  Board room/ meeting hire

  Dedicated work spaces for remote workers (outside of term time only)

  
  

  How long do I need to hire a space for?

  Depending on the space, we will offer packages for as little as 1 hour, to full day rates. Please enquire at OurNewHome@emildale.co.uk for more information.