If you’ve ever asked your child what they did in Zozimus Drama and they replied with something vague like “I was an alien” — only for you to wonder what on earth that meant — then this blog is for you.
Because behind the silliness, giggles, and dressing up is something I feel so passionate about: creating a space where children can explore their imaginations and build real confidence without the pressure of performing on a stage.
✨ The Spark That Started It All
Zozimus Drama was born just after I had my second child, at a time when I was wrestling with the idea of going back into the classroom part-time. I’d loved being a secondary school drama and music teacher. I loved putting on musicals, running choirs, directing youth theatre — the buzz of it all. But I also remember the quieter kids. The ones who were full of imagination, but froze when asked to perform.
And I kept thinking, what if drama didn’t have to end in a show? What if we created a space that celebrated creativity for the sake of creativity — without the stage fright?
That idea planted itself and wouldn’t go away.
🚫 Why We Don’t Do Shows (And What We Do Instead)
Now, don’t get me wrong — I love a show. I direct youth theatre outside of Zozimus, and I’ve seen how powerful that experience can be.
But not every child thrives under the spotlight. Some shrink. Some panic. Some even refuse to come back.
At Zozimus, I wanted to remove the pressure. I didn’t want our sessions to be about polished performances — I wanted them to be about play, creativity, exploration, and yes, mistakes! We don’t have scripts. We don’t audition. Everyone gets to be everything — even if that means every child in the room becomes the Big Bad Wolf or a dancing unicorn or a fire-breathing broccoli.
And while we don’t do shows, we do keep parents in the loop through weekly WhatsApp updates full of pictures, voice notes, and “you’ll never guess what your child did today” moments. That way, you can still be part of their journey — without sitting in an audience or seeing them clam up under stage lights.
💡 What Children Really Learn
By taking away the need to “get it right,” children learn how to be brave. They discover that their ideas are valid. They learn that laughter is powerful, silliness is safe, and creativity is worth celebrating.
They learn to work as a team, to solve problems together, and to bounce back when things don’t go to plan.
Some of our children go on to bigger drama schools or youth theatres — and that’s wonderful. Others don’t — and that’s wonderful too. Because it’s not about the destination. It’s about the confidence they gain along the way.
🏠 A Safe Space for Every Child (Including Mine)
Something else you may not know: Zozimus Drama became a lifeline for me personally too.
For years I struggled with anxiety and low moods, always feeling like I wasn’t quite “doing life” the way other people seemed to. It wasn’t until after my daughter began showing signs of neurodivergence — and I spoke to another parent about her own diagnosis — that I finally saw myself reflected in that conversation.
That moment led me to explore a diagnosis for myself. As it turns out, I have ADHD. And suddenly, so many things made sense — the scattered thinking, the bursts of creativity, the chaos, the exhaustion, the hyper-focus, the juggling.
It also helped me become even more aware of how many children — and parents — are navigating similar journeys. It’s why Zozimus has always been welcoming to those who are neurodiverse, anxious, or just quietly creative. It’s a place where children can drop the mask they wear all day at school. A space where no idea is too “out there” and no child is too much.
😅 But It’s Not Always Easy
Running a creative business while raising two kids and supporting a husband who travels for work isn’t exactly a walk in the park. There have been moments I’ve wanted to give up. Moments of burnout, tears, and complete overwhelm.
I’ve had to learn the hard way that rest is productive. That being kind to myself isn’t optional. That done is better than perfect. And that it’s okay to ask for help — which is why I now have a small team supporting me and helping Zozimus grow.
Because this work matters.
Not just for the children who come through our doors each week — but for the parents who want to see their child light up with confidence, feel safe being themselves, and find joy in imagination.
🚀 What’s Next for Zozimus?
Over time, I’ve realised that this approach — child-led, pressure-free drama rooted in story and play — is something more communities need. So I’ve created something called the Zozimus Drama Business in a Box. It’s a complete programme that allows others (maybe even someone you know!) to start their own Zozimus Drama classes, using our ethos and resources — but with their own flexibility and creativity baked in.
It’s not a franchise. It’s freedom. With support, structure, and heart at its core.
So if your child has ever come home and said, “Mum, I was a broccoli with sunglasses today,” now you know — that moment of madness wasn’t just fun. It was growth. It was confidence. It was imagination running wild in the safest of spaces.
And I couldn’t be prouder to be part of that.
Thanks for being on the journey with me.
Katy x
www.zozimusdrama.com
@zozimusdrama | @dramaconfidencepro