Based in Workington, Cumbria, and established in October 2011, Happy Thoughts Drama Company is a drama group for local young actors aged 8 to 18. 

Happy Thoughts Drama Company started as part of 17-year-old Millie’s A-Level studies. The first production was ‘The Second Star to the Right’, an adaptation of ‘Peter Pan’, and featured 11 young actors. The popularity of the performance inspired Millie to do another show with the cast, which grew to 17 young actors. We staged ‘Labyrinth’, an adaptation of the Jim Henson movie, and it proved just as popular. 

From there we went from strength to strength, with each performance growing in cast size; impact and local fame. After three more shows: ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, and ‘Treasure Island’. In 2016, we took a 5 year hiatus whilst Millie studied at university. 

Former cast members have now gone on to be professional actors; to study at the Royal Conservatoire or Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts; or to work in the film industry. 

Upon our return in 2021 we staged with ‘The Little Mermaid’ and our current line up of incredible cast. Since then, the company has continued to grow in size and local fame as we staged ‘Tarzan of the Apes’, ‘Little Snow White’, ‘Peter Pan’, ‘King Arthur’ and ‘Merry Christmas, Mary Poppins’.

In 2023 we were lucky enough to make a deal with Workington Theatre Royal as a resident company. This means we can rehearse and perform on a real stage, surrounded by the theatre and the equipment it holds. 

We are project based, meaning we aim to do two shows a year. For each project, we meet once a week for a two hour rehearsal session. During the rehearsal process, there are 'day rehearsal sessions' (usually lasting four hours) with set and costumes along the way, leading up to the spectacular opening night 4/5 months later. 

Happy Thoughts Drama Company is run by director Millie Hardy-Sims. 

Our Mission Statement:

At Happy Thoughts Drama Company we are commited to helping young actors and crew members see a production through from script to stage.

Along the way we aim to aid participants to:

• Develop skills

• Gain confidence

• Make friends

• Explore and discover

• Learn lines

• Take direction

• Contribute affectively

• Achieve their dreams

• Be proud of their achievements

• Have fun

As a Company we continue to expand and grow through our unique productions, our commited crew and our dedicated actors.

We work closely with parents and friends to make our Company the best it can be, the place where dreams are born.

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