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Our Team

Emil Dale
Owner & Founder

Emil is currently developing a new British musical called KIN with his production company Factory Playhouse Productions Ltd. Emil is always on the look out for new musicals to develop so please get in touch if you have an idea!

Emil Dale is a British Arab, director, producer, writer and was one of the first people of colour to be a principal of a UK drama school: www.emildale.co.uk

He is the founder of Emil Dale Academy in Hitchin, just outside of London and is also the co-founder of the talent agency Dale Hammond Associates. Alongside establishing the full and part-time schools of Emil Dale Performing Arts, Emil has also established The Factory Playhouse, a 200 seater theatre, previously a disused factory in Hertfordshire: www.factoryplayhouse.com

Since 2015 Emil has produced & directed over 30 public productions; West Side Story (2015), Oliver (2016) Romeo & Juliet (2016) Grease (2016), Les Misérables (2017), Hairspray (2018), Sweeney Todd (2018), West End Concert at the 02 Indigo in London (2019), In The Heights (2019), Thoroughly Modern Mille (2019) Little Shop of Horrors (2020), Spring Awakening (2021), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2022), Made in Dagenham (2022), Footloose (2022), Kin a New Musical (2022), Kin a New Musical Other Palace London (2023) The wedding Singer (2023), Disney's Little Mermaid (2023) & is just about to produce a new musical in London November 2023.

Emil trained in Musical Theatre at Arts Educational School in London and started his career as a member of the Nation Youth Theatre and The National Youth Music Theatre of Great Britain. He has appeared in: Hanging Around (National Theatre); St Vetus’ Project (Sadler’s Wells); Fly Floor at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Sondheim 75th Birthday Celebration at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.


Victoria Hammond
Principal

Principal of Emil Dale Academy.

Victoria trained at London Contemporary Dance School graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Dance Performance. Victoria had the honour of working with Merce Cunningham himself and performed work by Richard Alston, Trisha Brown, Siobhan Davies, Kerry Nicholls, Merce Cunningham Dance Company and CandoCo. Touring with award winning contemporary dance companies nationally and internationally, Victoria trained in aerial and bungee skills, performed at Resolutions, Touch Wood, Circus Space and many festivals in the UK including the Cultural Olympiad Project. Choreography includes Big Brother 9 and 10 dance tasks and Pink Singers Choir at the O2.

Alongside Emil, Victoria opened Emil Dale School of Performing Arts in 2009 choreographing many shows whilst being a part of the brands growth and development. Victoria has worked in further education for 15 years, and has significant experience in course management and is currently the Lead Internal Verifier for the Sixth Form provision.

Victoria is also the co-founder of the talent agency Dale Hammond Associates.

Victoria is delighted to have taken on the position of Principal at Emil dale Academy, working with a fantastic team striving to provide outstanding training in musical theatre. Victoria is proud as a female identifying individual in leadership at the academy and is honoured to be part of a progressive and forward thinking institution.

Updated May 2022.


Sarah Moore
Business, Compliance & Strategy Manager

Business, Compliance & Strategy Manager of Emil Dale Academy

Sarah studied at the University of Sheffield, initially graduating with a BA Hons in History, and then undertaking and graduating with an MA in Arts & Heritage Management.

Sarah has worked in various roles, from frontline administration, operations and business compliance, to project management for large software companies with a Prince2 Project Manager qualification.

Sarah has worked for Emil Dale since it’s conception, starting at the weekend school in a voluntary capacity, and moving to a full-time role when the full-time Academy opened. Using her project management skills, Sarah applied these principles to the planning and preparation to open the Factory Playhouse and oversee the productions since 2014.

Sarah wrote the degree qualification alongside university colleagues allowing our 3 year course to become a recognised qualification with access to student funding, and has recently done the same for the one year course which is now a Cert-HE qualification.

Sarah oversees all business administration and operations at Emil Dale, for the weekend school, full-time and the Factory Playhouse. She is responsible for finances, contractual compliance, business strategy, contractors, facilities, project management, policies and more.

Sarah is extremely proud of her role at Emil Dale, and thrives working in such a creative and dynamic environment. She is also honoured to work alongside Victoria as a female identifying person in leadership, and is rewarded by the achievements of the team on a daily basis. She enjoys coming to work every day and being part of such a wonderful team of people who work tirelessly to support students, members and patrons/ audiences of Emil Dale and the Factory Playhouse.


Jonathan Hunt
Deputy Principal & Head of 3-Year Course

Deputy Principal and Head of the 3-Year Course at Emil Dale Academy.

Jonathan studied Drama at the University of Exeter before gaining an MA in Music Theatre at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. He also has a PGCE in English. Jonathan is passionate about creating a dialogue with students that celebrates and interrogates musical theatre in the hope that graduates from EDA become trailblazing theatre makers of the future.

His performing credits include: The Cat in The Hat (The Turbine Theatre); Oberon and Theseus in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (UK Tour); Actor One in Handbagged (Theatre Royal Windsor); Francis Davey in Jamaica Inn (Theatre Royal Windsor); Philip in Relatively Speaking (Adonia Theatre Company); Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing (Middle Eastern Tour); Duke Orsino in Twelfth Night (Middle Eastern Tour); Elyot in Private Lives (Manor Pavilion); Count Skriczevinsky in Flare Path (Manor Pavilion); Wolf in Cleary and Brunger’s Red Riding Hood (Pleasance, Edinburgh); Alan Dangle in One Man, Two Guvnors (Theatre Royal Windsor); Fred Gaily in Miracle on 34th Street (Madinat Theatre, Dubai); Sherlock Holmes in Hound of the Baskervilles (Manor Pavilion); Richard in Out of Order (Manor Pavilion); Norman in Round and Round the Garden (Manor Pavilion); Lead Vocalist in Jersey Nights, Christmas on Ice, Rock Around the Clock and The Twelve Irish Tenors; and Lead Vocalist with Headliners Theatre Company on P&O Cruises.

Jonathan is originally from the South West of England and now resides in Hitchin where he can be seen walking his rescue dog and drinking coffee. He is also an artist and is currently developing his portrait portfolio.

Updated February 2021.


Marina Abdeen
Head of Dance & Head of Gap Year/Foundation Course

Marina is avidly invested and interested in offering guidance, inspiration and quality at the core of student training. Fostering confidence, mentoring and nurturing the next generation to achieve their goals at a high standard and with a wide range of skills. Ensuring young performers can navigate a multifaceted industry, build a long-standing career whilst remaining true to themselves.

Marina trained at London Studio Centre achieving a BA Honours Degree in Performing Arts, giving her the tools for a successful career as a female identifying, South Asian performer. Marina’s performance credits include: Beauty and The Beast (Walt Disney), Batman Live (Warner Bros), Chicago (Cambridge Theatre), Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales Theatre), The Far Pavilions (Shaftesbury Avenue Theatre), Aladdin (The Old Vic Theatre), Bombay Dreams ( Apollo Victoria Theatre), Fly With The Stars (London Palladium), Tara in the Sky (Trafalgar Square), Arabian Nights (Creation Theatre Company), Henna Nights (Etcetera Theatre), 80th Anniversary Night (Apollo Victoria Theatre), Goldfrapp (Rocket Video), Effnics (Pilot), All About Me (BBC), Ant & Dec Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV), John Barrowman’s Tonight’s the Night (ITV), Radox (ITV).

Marina has extensive experience as a teaching and creative practitioner within higher education. Offering exceptional quality training and developing work for courses and assessments alongside choreographing and directing many shows.

Marina is thrilled to be joining the diverse and passionate team at Emil Dale Academy.


David Bridges
Creative Associate

Creative Associate at Emil Dale Academy.

David is from Leigh on Sea, Essex and trained at Tiffany Theatre College, Essex where he graduated as Head Boy

Theatre credits include: Singin’ in the Rain (Kilworth House Theatre), Un Ballo in Maschera (Royal Opera House), Idomeneo (Royal Opera House), Peter Pan (starring Henry ‘The Fonz’ Winkler, Choreographer, Richmond), My Fair Lady (Kilworth House Theatre), Peter Pan (Ass. Choreographer, Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury), Jersey Nights (Fallsview Casino, Niagara Falls), Me and My Girl (Kilworth House Theatre), Peter Pan (starring David Hasselhoff, Ass. Choreographer, Bristol Hippodrome), Rock Around The Clock (UK Tour), Beauty and the Beast (UK Tour), Peter Pan (Wimbledon Theatre), Houdini the Musical (UK Tour, Original Cast), Dancing Queen (Original Cast, Le Sporting Club, Monte Carlo & International Tour), Cinderella (Dance Captain, Grove Theatre, Dunstable), Peter Pan (Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon), Christmas on Broadway (Memphis, USA), Broadway! (International Tour), Aladdin (Civic Theatre, Darlington), Spirit of the Dance (USA & European Tour), Spirit of Christmas (Lead Vocalist, Reno, USA), ’Lamar’in Godspell (Mariner Theatre, Lowestoft), Mother Goose (Thameside Theatre, Grays).

David has performed in Los Angeles at the prestigious Kodak Theatre alongside Ricky Martin, has also danced for boyband JLS on ITV's The X Factor and for Dolly Parton in ‘Dollywood.’ David can also be seen in commercials for moneysupermarket.com, Direct Line Insurance and in various Bollywood films. David has choreographed for Thomson and First Choice Holidays.

Updated February 2022.


Aaron Alexander
1 to 1 Singing Tutor

1 to 1 Singing Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.

Aaron Alexander is a technical singing tutor offering private lessons in central London and online.

His clients have appeared in West End, Touring, and International productions, including The Book of Mormon, Heathers, Cabaret, Why Am I So Single?, The Wizard of Oz, Tina, Back to the Future, Burlesque, Clueless, Matilda, Becoming Nancy, Grease, Fame, Beetlejuice, King Lear, Priscilla, 9 to 5, Gypsy, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Witches, Wicked, The Lion King, Newsies, Hamilton, Phantom of the Opera, A Chorus Line, Mamma Mia, &Juliet, Hairspray, Top Hat, The Children’s Enquiry*, Frozen*, Billy Elliot*, Les Misérables*, and Annie*.

His students have also been accepted into top performing arts schools and universities across the UK, including RADA, The Guildhall, Arts Educational, Mountview, GSA, Emil Dale, The Urdang, Bird College, Italia Conti, and East 15.

Aaron holds two Master’s degrees: one in Voice Pedagogy from the Voice Study Centre and another in Music Education from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance. His areas of expertise include Trans+ voice training, the effects of hormones on vocal production (both adolescent and mature voices), breathing techniques for dancers, and performance coaching for high-level athletes.

For more information, visit www.aavoice.co.uk or follow him on Instagram @aaronalexandervoice.

(*Young performer credit)

Updated August 2024


Ellie-Ann Lowe
1 to 1 Singing Tutor

1 to 1 Singing Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.


Rob Nash
1 to 1 Singing Tutor

1 to 1 Singing Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.


Nadine Cox
1 to 1 Singing Tutor

1 to 1 Singing Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.

Nadine has most recently finished working for Dreamworks as the singing voice coach for the two child leads in Ryhme Time Town, released on Netflix in July 2020. She is one of three associates of world renowned singing teacher, Mark Meylan. She has clients working in television, theatre, musical theatre, in both touring and West End Productions. She works with musical theatre performers and recording artists every day. She is an experienced studio session singer and voice over artist and is both a working actress and teacher. She is an active member of both AOTOS and The British Voice Association and a member of Equity and Spotlight.

She has an extensive list of private singing students of all ages and experience.

As a performer Nadine has a wealth of performing credits in the West End, with the National Theatre and in touring productions, spanning 30 years. She is represented by Jean Diamond of Diamond Management.

Her stage credits include; WONDER.LAND (WPC Rook) National Theatre, Rufus Norris; EVERYMAN (Fellowship/Senses & Wit: Touch) National Theatre, Rufus Norris; BARE (Claire) Greenwich Theatre, Paul Taylor-Mills; THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Sister Berthe) Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, Rachel Kavanaugh, (Received an Olivier nomination); MAMMA MIA! (U/S Rosie, Tanya and Donna) Novello Theatre, Pip Minnithorpe; COOL RIDER (Ms Mason) Lyric Theatre, Guy Unsworth; STEPPING OUT (Maxine) Union Theatre, David Ball; BILLY ELLIOT (Dead Mum U/S) Working Title, Palace Theatre, Stephen Daldry; WICKED Original London Cast (Shenshen, Madame Morrible 1st U/S) Act Productions, Joe Mantello; SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (Mrs Bixby) UK Productions/No 1 Tour, Maurice Lane; PETER PAN (Mrs Darling) Festival Theatre Malvern, Chris Hocking; THE FULL MONTY Original London Cast, Drop Everything Productions, Jack O'Brien; ELEGIES FOR ANGELS PUNKS AND RAGING QUEENS (Judith) Bridewell Theatre, Omar F. Okai; JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT (Narrator) No 1 Tour, Bill Kenwright; DAMES AT SEA (Mona Kent) Prince Regent Theatre, Freddie Eldrett

Film credits incude; STORM Chewing The Scenery (Filmed screenplay reading), Su Gilroy; MRS CAPALDI, RIKKI & JULIE (Romeo & Juliet today) Platform Films, Rob Rawles

Workshops include; THREEPENNY OPERA – National Theatre – Rufus Norris; MIDWICH CUCKOOS – National Theatre – Lyndsey Turner, Patrick Marber; 1888 (Josephine Butler) Omar Okai, Theatre Royal Stratford East; WAITING FOR THE DAWN (Mrs Anderson) Arts Theatre, Chris Blackwood

Commercials include; SAMSUNG (Featured Actor) The Viral Factory; LIDL (Trudi) LIDL Supermarkets Young & Rubicam

Cast recordings include; LOVE NEVER DIES (Showgirl) The Really Useful GroupELEGIES FOR ANGELS PUNKS AND RAGING QUEENS (Judith) Okai Collier, Simon Collier; ECLIPSE - CIRCBALLET (Narrator) JMusic Ltd, Joe O'Connor; CRY OF THE CELTS (Celtic Wicked Queen) JMusic Ltd, Joe O'Connor

Voiceover work includes; DR WHO - THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE (Delila/Mrs T) Big Finish Productions, Jason Haigh-Ellery; DRAYTON MANOR THEME PARK (Lead/featured voice over) Drayton Manor, Joe O'Connor; SONY PS3 – MUPPETS Little Big Planet – (Various voices spoken and sung) Richard Jaques.

Updated February 2021.


Peter Dodsworth
1 to 1 Singing Tutor

1 to 1 Singing Tutor at Emil Dale Academy


Terri Claus
Acting Department Tutor

Acting Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.

Terri grew up in Glasgow, Scotland and began her career as a performer. Upon finishing her HND in Musical Theatre at the Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts, she moved south to attend Sir Paul McCartneys Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts to complete a BA (Hons) Performing Arts (Acting). To bookend her training, she was lucky enough to be one of fifteen girls accepted to The Royal Academy of Music in London and graduated with a Postgraduate Diploma in Musical Theatre.

Her performing credits include : A Christmas Carol (The Lyceum), The Sound of Music (International), Meet me in St. Louis (The Landor), Vocalist with Elton John (iTunes Festival, London Palladium and The Royal Albert Hall), BBC Proms : Sondheim at 80 (The Royal Albert Hall), Falsettoland (Edinburgh Fringe Festival), Lemon La Vida Loca (ITV).

Terri made a move from performing into the creative side of the industry and began exploring teaching and children’s directing, shadowing and assisting some of the leading figures in this field, Mark Hedges and Jo Hawes.

Over the past 7 years Terri has established herself as “The Children’s Creative’, developing her passion and talent for working with children and young people who aspire to become professional performers. She works closely with a number of agents to help their clients and spends all of her time freelancing between performing arts schools, directors and casting directors to gain experience and knowledge.

Her creative credits include : Asst. Director (Kids of the West End, Leicester Square), Directing and Casting Intern (Mary Poppins UK Tour), Director’s Asst. (Sound of Music Intl.), Rehearsal Asst. (Les Miserables UK and Ireland Tour).

She has successfully coached performers towards gaining places at Arts Ed, Mountview, Laine Theatre Arts, Emil Dale Academy, East 15, Italia Conti, The Brit School and Sylvia Young Theatre School and many others.

Updated July 2022.


Tommaso Giacomin
Acting Department Tutor

Tommaso is a Brighton based Italian actor and theatre-maker.

He graduated from the École internationale de théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris in 2017 and has recently completed an MA in Theatre Laboratory at RADA.

He most recently devised for and performed in Dinner (2022) and WE SHOULDN’T BE HERE (2021) by Simona Gonella. He played the King in Exit the King by Ionesco directed by Sinéad Rushe (2021) and Torvald Helmer in A dolls’s house by Ibsen directed by Linda Miller (2021).

He devised for the Australian director Susie Dee at the 47th Biennale of theatre in Venice

and has also played in two of Richard Foreman’s work PAIN(t) & LAVA, produced by The

Phenomenological Theatre at The New Wimbledon theatre (2019). He has also worked

extensively in France collaborating with different theatre companies as part of FIRST ROUND

ICP.

Tommaso has worked internationally with a focus on physical theatre and devised work,

and has written and produced two original shows. SELF(ish) LOVE, a solo show funded by

ACE, that premiered at Camden People’s Theatre in London, and OMELETTEMACHINE as

part of Lab Works in December 2021, that will be presented in its final stage at The Coronet

Theatre in Notting Hill.


Stephan Boyce
Acting Department Tutor

Acting Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.


Nick Evans
Acting Department Tutor.

Nick has extensive experience as a Director and Associate Director within the industry , having worked on major West End productions as diverse as Billy Elliot the Musical and Bat Out Of Hell. He was the Associate Director of the Arena Tour of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ and has also worked on major national and International Tours of ‘Mamma Mia’ and ‘Mary Poppins’. Recently, Nick had been produced several award nominated productions of his own, including a streamed production of ‘Romeo & Juliet’ (“Cutting Edge” – The Guardian), a brand new production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ in Latin America, and most recently has developed a brand new musical ‘For Tonight’ in a staging at the Adelphi Theatre.


Griff Stevens
Acting Department Tutor

Acting Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy


Pip Stefani
Acting Department Tutor

Acting Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.

Associate Choreographer for Emil Dale Academy's Made in Dagenham (2022).


Luke Cinque-White
Dance Department Tutor

Dance Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy


Sonny Ward
Dance Department Tutor

Dance Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy


Jo McShane
Dance Department Tutor

Dance Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.

Jo is from Liverpool and trained at Laine Theatre Arts. She is an experienced choreographer having worked in Theatre, TV and Film. She is also an established performer and teacher.

Her choreography has been nominated 3 times for an Off-West End Award. She is also part of the creative team behind the tap trio, The Tap Chaps, whose work has been performed all round the world including places such as New Orleans, Antarctica and the Caribbean.

Choreography & Associate Choreography work includes: Life After Life (Associate Choreographer), BBC (John Crowley); Top Hat the Musical, Cunard (Tom O’ Brien); Bohemian Rhapsody (Promotional video, Twentieth Century Fox); Salad Days, UK Tour/ Union Theatre, Off-West End Award Finalist (Bryan Hodgson); Two Gentlemen Of Verona, The Andrew Lloyd Webber Theatre (Sir Trevor Nunn); A Christmas Carol – GSA (Bronagh Lagan); Lend Me A Tenor – LSMT (Graham Gill, UK Premier); Soho Cinders, Union Theatre (Off West End Award Nominee, Sasha Regan); Aladdin, Broadway Theatre (Richard Cheshire); Bad Girls, Union Theatre, Off West End Award Nominee (Sasha Regan); Hamilton, Lewis, Edinburgh Fringe Festival and The Kings Head (Benji Sperring); Bullets Over Broadway, UK Premier – GSA (Graham Gill); Merrily We Roll Along, Mountview; The Scarecrow’s Wedding, UK Tour (Eva Sampson); A Christmas Carol, Blackpool Winter Gardens (Paul Nicholas, Kyle Davies); 5 Pantomimes for First Family Entertainment, Glasgow Kings Theatre and Woking New Theatre; Jesus Christ Superstar, GSA (Anna Lunstrum), The Smallest Show on Earth, UK Tour (Associate Choreographer to Lee Proud), The Dreamers, Abbey Road (Associate Choreographer to Lee Proud), How to Succeed in Business, Wiltons Music Hall (Associate Choreographer to Lucie Pankhurst).

Performing Credits include: Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Theatre Royal Drury Lane (Sam Mendes); Cats The Musical, UK & European Tours (Trevor Nunn); South Pacific, Kilworth House (Mitch Sebastian); Blood Brothers, West End and UK Tour (Bob Thompson/ Bill Kenwright ); Legally Blonde, Kilworth House (Mitch Sebastian); Singin In The Rain, Kilworth House (Mitch Sebastian); Sister Act, Kilworth House (Mitch Sebastian); Chicago, Aberystwyth Arts Centre (Antony Williamson); Grease, West End & UK Tour (David Gilmore); Chess The Musical, Aberystwyth Arts Centre (Antony Williamson).

Updated October 2021.


Albey Brookes
Dance Department Tutor

Dance Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy


Nicole Cato
Dance Department Tutor

Dance Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.

Nicole trained at The Royal Ballet School for 8 years, whilst training she worked with The Royal Ballet Company numerous times performing in many of their shows and being lucky enough to join them on tour where she performed Swan Lake.

At the age of 18 she went on to join Scottish Ballet where she toured Scotland, Ireland and the UK. It was from there she joined the West

End cast of Phantom of The Opera for 2 years where she was a Ballet Girl and cover Meg Giry. After this she joined Matthew Bourne's 'New Adventures' performing in his Swan Lake UK and World Tour and lastly cruising the Caribbean as a dancer for Royal Caribbean.

Nicole has also performed in 42nd Street Gala and at the London Palladium at The Phantom of the Opera 25th anniversary at The Royal

Albert Hall.

Nicole has taught for many schools and colleges and has been a resident ballet teacher at Emil Dale Academy for the past five years on their Degree, BTEC, and Gap year courses.

Nicole is a passionate teacher who thrives from passing on her love and knowledge of ballet to the next generation of dancers.

Updated 9th September 2021


Zheng Xi Yong
Music Department Tutor

Music Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy


Jamie Noar
Music Department Tutor

Music Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.


Matt Mellor
Music Department Tutor

Music Department Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.


Gary Jerry
Music Department Tutor

Gary is originally from Newcastle Upon Tyne and trained at ArtsEd, London.

He is the Head of Music for Emil Dale Academy, is a former creative for Viking Ocean Cruises and for the last few years has performed and arranged his critically acclaimed solo show

Gary Jerry: The Piano Man worldwide. He is a former Associate MD for the record breaking NewsRevue (Canal Cafe Theatre and Pleasance, Edinburgh), a previous Head of Singing at The Brighton Academy and works as a Guest Musical Director and Arranger on performances and projects for ArtsEd, Sylvia Young Theatre School, Emil Dale Academy & Arden School of Theatre Manchester. He is a lead creative for Stagecoach Performing Arts worldwide and was previously a Senior Lecturer at the Institute of the Arts, Barcelona. He also hosts the Theatre Podcast "Behind the Prosc", as well as arranging and composing for The NewsRevue Lockdown Podcast, and is a Workshop host and accompanist for conservatoires and events across the UK.

Gary has perfect pitch, can transpose at sight, and regularly works in musical improvisation, composition and rearranging. He regularly sight reads to a high level for various auditions, workshops and rehearsals.

Credits as MD & Arranger: I Should Be So Lucky (Manchester, UK Tour), Billy Goats Gruff (Lost the Plot), Little Owl & The Christmas Lights (Amelia Scott, Tunbridge Wells), Baggy Trousers (MT Swing Life), How to Succeed (Laine Theatre Arts), Wonderland in Alice (Theatre Peckham/CTC), Summer Holiday (MTP Tour), Jack & the Beanstalk (Evolution), My Dearest Mr Coward (Worcester Rep Theatre), Pirates of Penzance, Assassins, Cabaret (Emil Dale), Dick Whittington (Royal and Derngate, Northampton), Between the Covers, Live and Tripping, Cabaret Whores, Unleashed, A New Land Waits (Crazy Coqs), Invade my Privacy (The Other Palace), Cream (Canal Cafe), Summer Holiday (Wyvern Theatre, Swindon), John and Jen (Guildford Fringe), News Revue (Canal Cafe/Southbank Festival/Edinburgh Fringe), The Story of Bart (London Hippodrome), Songs my Dad Said I Should Sing (Leicester Square Theatre), If It Only Runs a Minute (Landor), Reuben Kaye Live (The Pheasantry), Songs for a New World (Battersea Barge), The Secret Garden (University of Cumbria), ArtsEd Foundation Showcase 2018-21, Arden Musical Theatre Showcase (The Lowry, Salford), A Night for Jennifer (Lyric- West End), Betwixt! (Assistant MD - Trafalgar Studios), West Side Story (Assistant MD - Leatherhead Theatre).

Credits as Musical Associate/Rehearsal MD: Nativity (Birmingham Rep), The Wizard of Oz, Evita (Leicester Curve),

Credits as Director: Dear Santa (Evolution), Grease, The Addams Family (Beck Theatre), Sound of Music (Kingston Rose), Wizard of Oz (Rhoda McGaw), Footloose, Hairspray (Arts Depot), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Leatherhead Theatre), Threepenny Opera (Stockport Garrick), The Pilgrimmage, Much Ado About Nothing (Poynton School), Beauty and the Beast (Birmingham Symphony Hall - Stagecoach 30), There's Something Between Us (Online).

Credits as an Actor/Musician: Wishee Washee in Aladdin (QDOS), Keez in CBeebies Live! (UK Arena Tour), The Great Big Gig (Royal Festival Hall), Elf in Dear Santa (UK Tours and Singapore - Evolution), The 12 Tenors (China Tour), Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol:The Musical (UK Tour and Charing Cross), Otto in Spring Awakening (Kingston Rose), Prince Kazbeki/Michael in Caucasian Chalk Circle (Shoreditch), Invade my Privacy, Cabaret Whores, Live and Tripping (Crazy Coqs, Piccadilly Circus), The Suggestibles (Bristol Old Vic and various tour dates), Callum in Our House, Doctor in Grand Hotel (ArtsEd), Pirate Pete in Robinson Crusoe (New Theatre, Cardiff), Ensemble in Dick Whittington (Theatre Royal, Plymouth) Seabourn Cruise Lines (Belinda King), Beyond Broadway (Tyne Theatre), Broadway to West End (Theatre Royal Drury Lane).

Workshop: Perry in Bumblescratch! (Network Theatre)

TV credits: Byker Grove (Zenith North/BBC), Scrap (White Balance), Bang Bang (The Long Weekend)


Laura McHugh
Music Department Coordinator

Acting Through Song Accompanist at Emil Dale Academy.

Laura trained at HTS (Hertfordshire Theatre School) on the Acting & Musical Theatre course, and at the New York Film Academy in New York on the Acting for Film course. Having graduated, she continued her singing training with Kate Hughes at Ian Adam Studios in Kensington.

Personal career highlights while performing include “Elegies for Angels, Punks & Raging Queens” at Her Majesty’s Theatre, for the Elton John Aids foundation, appearing as Beryl Reid in a one-woman play directed by the late Martha Ross, and taking her own self-penned show to the Edinburgh festival. Over the years she has been a regular face at Hitchin’s first professional theatre, the Market Theatre, performing in a number of plays, revues, and pantomimes over the past fifteen years.

Laura has been a singing teacher/musical director/director in various settings since 2005. She has conducted several shows at the Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage, including Guys and Dolls, Godspell, Our House, and Little Shop of Horrors.

She is very proud to have been working at Emil Dale Academy since its inception, and is delighted to be part of such a fantastic singing faculty.

Updated 15th February 2021.


Katherine Hare
Guest Tutor

Acting Department Guest Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.

UPCOMING PROJECTS INCLUDE:

International Associate Director for Tina the Musical

PREVIOUS PROJECTS INCLUDE:

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM | Director | East London Shakespeare Festival 2021

BAT OUT OF HELL (Resident) | Jay Sheib | Dominion Theatre, West End

ALADDIN | Qdos Pantomimes | Wyvern Theatre, Swindon |

SOME LOVERS | Aria Entertainment | The Other Palace |

SUNNY AFTERNOON (Associate) | Edward Hall | No. 1 UK Tour

SUNNY AFTERNOON (Resident) | Edward Hall | The Pinter Theatre, West End

CLOSER THAN EVER | Urdang Academy | Urdang Academy |

BERNADA ALBA | Triptic | The Union Theatre |

CRAZY FOR YOU | Eyebrow Productions | London Palladium

EDGES | Notion Theatre Company | Landor Theatre

THE TENDER LAND | Triptic | Arcola Theatre

BAD MUSICAL | The Trap/James Seabright | Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh

THE BEACH | Mountview Academy | Cockpit Theatre

BAT OUT OF HELL (Resident) | Jay Sheib | Dominion Theatre, West End

ALADDIN (Resident) | David Grindley | Cambridge Arts Theatre

KAFKA’S DICK (Resident) | David Grindley | Theatre Royal, Bath

OUR BOYS (Resident) | David Grindley | Duchess Theatre, West End

HIT ME: THE LIFE & RHYMES OF IAN DURY (Resident) | Seabright Productions | Garrick Theatre, West End & UK Tour

DIRTY WHITE BOY | Seabright Productions | Trafalgar Studios

NAKED CHOIR (Series Mentor) | Gareth Malone | Twenty Twenty TV/BBC 2 PITCH BATTLE (Musical Director) | Deke Sharon | Tuesday’s Child TV/BBC 1 THE HUMANS | National Theatre Studio

DUET | National Theatre Studio

BECOMING ANGELA | National Theatre Studio

THE BLUE ANGEL (Assisting) | Maria Friedman | Sonia Friedman Productions

Skills include Piano, Score Reading, Vocal Coaching, Musical Direction, Dramaturgy.

Updated 14th March 2022.


Jordan Oliver
Guest Tutor

Dance Department Guest Tutor.

Jordan trained at Guildford School of Acting, and was part of the England Tap Team at the World Tap Championships. He has worked as Associate Choreographer for The Choir Of Man.

Credits include: The Choir Of Man (Arts Theatre, Sydney Opera House, US Tour) The Sound Of Music (UK Tour); EVITA (Phoenix Theatre), The Glenn Miller Story (London Coliseum).

Choreography includes: 9 to 5 (GSA); The Baker’s Wife (Ivy Arts Centre); The Afterparty (Playhouse Square, Cleveland); Country Of The Blind (Ivy Arts Centre); The Outsider (Cunard Cruises); Follies (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre); A Little Prince (Brighton Fringe).

Updated May 2022.


William Holyhead
Guest Tutor

Acting Department Guest Tutor

Will read English at King’s College London before training at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. He was previously the Co-Artistic Director of Cyphers Theatre Company and was Resident Director on the international tour of the Lincoln Centre’s Tony and Olivier award winning production of The King and I. His other credits include:

As Director: Every You Every Me (Mountview); How I Learned to Drive (Mountview); Megaball (National Theatre, Let’s Play) and The Three Musketeers (Pleasance)

As Associate Director: Curtains (Wyndham’s Theatre, West End); Tell Me on a Sunday (UK Tour); Orlando (Nuffield Southampton Theatres) and Northanger Abbey (UK Tour)

As Assistant Director: Curtains (UK Tour) and Crazy for You (Mountview)

Updated 4th May 2022.


Charlotte Riby
Guest Tutor

Charlotte Trained professionally at Laine Theatre Arts.

During a six year period with the National Youth Music Theatre ( ‘Wizard of OZ’, ‘Creation’ and‘Oklahoma’!) Charlotte toured the UK, featuring at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, performing for the Royal family at Buckingham Palace and appearing in galas all over London.

After graduating in 2005 Charlotte made her debut in the UK tour of ‘Me and My Girl’ playing Clara Battersby also understudying and playing the part of the Duchess. In 2007 Charlotte made her West End debut as the alternate Tracy Turnblad in the OLC production of 'HAIRSPRAY' at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Charlotte then appeared in ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ at the Palace Theatre as one of the Divas from 2009 to 2011, it was here the dynamic vocal trio - the IDolls were formed!! After Priscilla, Charlotte joined the cast of Billy Elliot where she then stayed for 3 years whilst getting married and having her first child. In 2016 & 17 Charlotte was part of the Olivier award-winning revival of Jesus Christ Superstar at Regent’s Park open air theatre. Charlotte and her husband Ivan welcomed their second son in 2018.

2019 saw Charlotte in the original London cast of Waitress at the Adelphi theatre understudying the part of Becky.

In 2020 Charlotte returned to Regents Park for a third round of Jesus Christ Superstar which was the first live theatre back in the UK after the pandemic.

In 2021 Charlotte returned once again to Regent’s Park to perform in a revival of Carousel were she understudied the parts of Nettie and Mrs Mullin - playing both. The latter 2021 and into 22 was spent at Warner brothers filming a new and exciting film due to be released March 2023.

Charlotte has been part of 2 workshops this year- ‘42 Balloons’ and ‘Jekyll &Hyde ‘ …. She is just waiting to start filming a new Disney film at Pinewood!!

Updated June 2022


Jake Neads
Guest Tutor

Acting Department Guest Tutor.

Jake's credits include: Television: The Killing Kind (Paramount), Smothered (SKY), Grantchester (ITV), It's A Sin (Channel 4/HBO), Doctors (BBC), The Sparticle Mystery (BBC), Skins (Channel 4).

Last updated: March 2023.


Peter Dukes
Guest Tutor

Acting Department Guest Tutor.

Peter's credits include: Sister Boniface Mysteries (BBC), Spike (UK Tour), A Christmas Carol (Alexandra Palace), Camelot (Watermill Theatre), Assassins (Nottingham Playhouse & Watermill Theatre), Sonnet Walks (Guildford Shakespeare Company).

Last updated: March 2023.


Andrew Dillon
Guest Tutor

Dance Department Guest Tutor.

Andrews's credits include: The Wizard of Oz (Leicester Curve), Hairspray (UK Tour), Vulvarine (Fat Rascal Theatre), Buzz (Fat Rascal Theatre), Flashdance (International Tour).

Last updated: March 2023.


Benjamin Mundy
Guest Tutor

Dance Department Guest Tutor.

Theatre: ‘Resident Director’ for WHITE CHRISTMAS (UK Tour), ‘Dance Captain and ‘Tommy/Ensemble’ in ‘THE BOOK THIEF - THE MUSICAL’ (Octagon Theatre, Bolton), ‘Coricopat’, Understudy ‘Skimbleshanks’, ‘Mungojerrie’, ‘Alonzo/Rumpus’ and ‘Admetus/Macavity’ in ‘CATS’ (Taiwan Tour), Ensemble, Understudy ‘Phil Davis’ and ‘Mike Nulty’ in WHITE CHRISTMAS (UK Tour), Swing, Dance Captain and Understudy ‘Aaron’ and ‘Bobby’ in CURTAINS (West End, Wyndham’s Theatre and UK Tour), Ensemble and Dance Captain in THE PRODUCERS (Royal Exchange, Manchester), Ensemble and Dance Captain in IOLANTHE (UK Tour), ‘Pollux’ and Dance Captain in ORPHEUS THE MYTHICAL (The Other Palace),

Swing & Assistant Dance Captain in ANNIE (West End, Piccadilly Theatre), ‘Eugene Florczyk’ in GREASE (for Curve, Dubai), ‘Bert Healy’ & Dance Captain in ANNIE (South Africa), Swing in ANNIE (UK & European Tour), ‘Coricopat’ in CATS (West End Revival, London Palladium), ‘Coricopat’ & Understudy ‘Rum Tum Tugger’ CATS (UK & International Tour)

Concerts: Ensemble in THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK (Sondheim Theatre), Ensemble in BEST OF THE WEST END (Royal Albert Hall), THE OLIVIER AWARDS in both 2013 & 2014 (The Royal Opera House, London), Ensemble for KERRY ELLIS IN CONCERT (London Palladium).

TV: THE MR SWALLOW SHOW (Channel 4), SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE PALLADIUM (ITV).

Last updated: March 2023


Michael Lin
Guest Tutor

Dance Department Guest Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.


Danny Hendrix
Guest Tutor

Acting Department Guest Tutor


Aaron Jenkins
Guest Tutor

Dance Department Guest Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.


Aimee Hodnett
Guest Tutor

Tutorial Guest Tutor at Emil Dale Academy


Danny Whitehead
Guest Tutor

Acting Department Guest Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.


Ryan Gover
Guest Tutor

Dance Department Guest Tutor at Emil Dale Academy.

Training: Arts Educational Schools, London (BA Hons)

Theatre Credits: Assistant Dance Captain/Swing in Singin’ in the Rain (Sadler’s Wells Theatre & UK/Japan Tour); U/S Billy Flynn in Chicago (China Tour); To Gillie, With Love (Gillian Lynne Theatre); U/S Bert Barry & Andy Lee in 42nd Street (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); Charlie & the Chocolate Factory (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); Miss Atomic Bomb (St James’ Theatre); Oliver! (Curve Leicester); Dance Captain in Hey, Old Friends! 85th Sondheim Anniversary Concert (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); U/S Don Lockwood in Singin’ in the Rain (Kilworth House Theatre); Dance Captain/Swing & U/S Munkustrap & Skimbleshanks in CATS (London Palladium & UK/European Tour); Dance Captain in White Christmas (Festival Theatre, Edinburgh); We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre); Dance Captain in Mack and Mabel (Southwark Playhouse); The Night of 1000 Voices (Royal Albert Hall); Gypsy (Curve Leicester); U/S Tin Man in the Original Cast of The Wizard of Oz (London Palladium).

Other Credits: Dance Captain for All Star Musicals 2019/2020/2022 (ITV); Assistant to the Associate Choreographer on CATS (Ronacher Theatre, Vienna & Theatre Mogador, Paris).

Updated on 9th March 2022.


Apply Now

2025 entry now open! Please select one of the options below to apply for our BA (Hons) course with access to student finance towards fees and living costs, Sixth Form and Gap Year course.

Any problems please email admissions@emildale.co.uk

Email us at admissions@emildale.co.uk | Difficulties completing the form? Please call 01462 677 808.

The audition fee for all courses is £40 and is non-refundable. This is a one-off fee payable upon applying and covers the cost of the workshops and panel auditions, as well as any recall auditions if required.

Emil Dale Academy is dedicated to widening participation within the industry and has set up an Audition Fee Waiver Scheme to encourage applications from talented candidates who are deterred from applying by financial barriers.

Please view our Audition Fee Waiver Scheme Policy to find out if you are eligible to apply for a scheme, and to find out how to apply.

Emil Dale Academy
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