Coval Lane Studios at Chelmsford Theatre
Our spacious, fully equipped dance and acting studios situated just behind Chelmsford Theatre.
Coval Lane Studios are 2 large open-plan accessible dance, movement and performance spaces that exist in a repurposed block adjacent to Chelmsford Theatre.
The studios are occupied by the renowned drama school, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, between 1 September and 1 April each year to deliver their CertHE performing arts courses in partnership with Chelmsford Theatre.
Outside of Mountview classroom hours, it will be made available to a diverse range of performing arts organisations to utilise throughout the year for rehearsals, workshops or other creative pursuits.
Availability
From 1 September 2026 Chelmsford Theatre are able to make this facility available all weekday evenings 5.30pm to 10pm and every weekend 9am to 10pm, with full availability, 9am to 10pm on weekdays also from the 1 April to 31 August.
The cost to rent one of the spaces is £25 per hour.
Use the form below to contact us and express your interest in using the space and to tell us a little about you and your organisation.
Expressions of interest are open until 19 July 2026.
Please read the below guidelines on usage before filling in the form.
Capacity & Equipment Details
Coval Space 1 is approximately 11m x 25m and Space 2 is approximately 17m x 20m, both with a working height of 2.6m. Equipped with a series of rehearsal blocks, portable dance mirrors and ballet barres, the studios also include self-contained toilet facilities, kitchenette and breakout area.
Usage of the spaces
The spaces are primarily for performing arts rehearsals.
The activity in Coval Lane Studio sits within our Discover programme which gives our community the opportunity, through workshops, masterclasses and more, to learn new skills, discover what goes on behind the scenes at a theatre and promotes a sense of well-being through art, performance and participation. In addition, we offer our local schools a diverse range of hands-on classes, tours, and aspirational career workshops to support all young people and their teachers.
With a focus on excellence in delivery and with equality, diversity and inclusion embedded in our approach, the discover programme and all the activity at Coval Lane Studios represents a vital and valuable tool in building the audiences and the artists of the future. This informs who we build creative, learning and training relationships and partnerships with, and guides the decision-making process around who might engage with us to utilise Coval Lane Studios.
Guidelines for activity and Terms & Conditions
1. All users are accepted at the discretion of the Creative Education Officer, Programme Manager and Theatre Director.
2. Priority will be given to organisations based in Chelmsford and/or the wider Mid-Essex region.
3. Priority will be given to individuals and/or organisations that promote and encourage engagement with the performing arts.
4. Any proposal for use of Coval Lane Studios will be seen as valuable to the wider cultural development of Chelmsford City and the Mid-Essex region.
5. Any proposals for use must support and/or promote the Values and Mission of Chelmsford Theatre.
6. Coval Lane Studios will be available for use from 9am to 10pm Monday-Sunday.
7. All use of Coval Lane Studios is subject to monthly review and evaluation.
8. No use will be granted for more than 8 months at any one time.
9. A minimum of 4 weeks’ notice will be required on either side if use is to cease.
10. All use charges are payable in advance, non-refundable and subject to the hire terms and conditions.