How did Emil Dale start?

Emil Dale Academy was founded in 2009 by Emil Dale, First Class Honours graduate from Arts Educational Schools London, and co-founder Victoria Hammond. During his training time at Arts Ed, Emil was working at various stage school franchises as his pay-the-rent job and realised that families were paying extortionate amounts of money to train their children, for an average standard of teaching. He knew that he could do better. Emil decided to open his school on a Sunday, instead of the usual Saturday schools, to allow West End performers to teach. Emil Dale students began receiving 3.5 hours of training every week, with students participating in technique classes as well as having weekly West End Masterclasses.


Starting with only twenty-two students in a primary school hall in Hertfordshire, the school was opened with only £60.00 worth of Vistaprint flyers. In ten years, with not one loan, not one overdraft, not one grant or arts funding - Emil now trains four-hundred part time students (www.emildale.co.uk/edsa) and two-hundred-and-seventy full time students (www.emildale.co.uk/eda) from all over the World at the Emil Dale Studios in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. Emil Dale Academy’s triple-threat and extreme courses are having unprecedented results in the Performing Arts sector. Emil and Victoria have also founded Dale Hammond Associates (www.dalehammondassociates.com) talent agency, representing both students and working professionals. The agency and school has now seen its clients and students take on jobs across the West End, UK Tours, Television and Film. 


The Emil Dale Studio complex consists of two buildings which have been transformed into 10 studios, a cafe, eight 1-to-1 rooms, a sports therapy treatment room, changing rooms and a professional pop-up 200 seater not-for-profit theatre which has over 400 five-star reviews (www.factoryplayhouse.com). The studios have air conditioning, sprung flooring, sound proofing, mirrors, and are provided with all equipment needed to maximise the students’ training. The theatre has an automated revolving stage and all performances are accompanied by a live West End Band who are remotely wired on monitors from another part of the building. Before, during, or after a Factory Playhouse performance, customers are also offered to indulge themselves in the Prosecco tent where cheeseboards, pizzas, drinks and snacks can be bought. 


Emil Dale Academy’s patrons are Chris Hocking (Arts Educational Schools, London), Neil Rutherford (International Casting Director, Legally Blonde, Guys and Dolls, worked fo the Ambassador Theatre Group) and Kerry Ellis (International Musical Theatre Star - Wicked, We Will Rock You, Oliver, Miss Saigon, Les Miserables and more). 


Emil now employs industry professionals from across the World to teach at both the full and part time schools. Emil Dale Academy’s resident and guest teachers are some of the best performers and teachers in the Musical Theatre industry (https://www.emildale.co.uk/eda/teachers.php https://www.emildale.co.uk/edsa/teachers.php). 


Emil Dale & the team at Emil Dale Academy

Published Monday 10th of August 2020

© Copyright Emil Dale 2016