Emil Dale Academy is proud to celebrate a remarkable cohort of alumni who are currently leading major productions across the West End, UK and international tours, and other global stages. From award-winning performances to iconic musical theatre roles, these graduates exemplify the academy’s commitment to professional excellence and industry-focused training.
BA (Hons) Musical Theatre graduate Leesa Tulley will be joining the new West End cast of SIX The Musical, playing Katherine Howard. Leesa previously appeared in SIX on both the West End and UK Tour, covering multiple principal roles including Katherine Howard, Jane Seymour, and Anne Boleyn. Most recently, she won Best Performer in a Musical at The Stage UK Awards for her performance in Why Am I So Single? at the Garrick Theatre.
Joining Leesa in the West End, alumni Regan-Bailey Walker will soon star as Nabulungi in the West End production of The Book of Mormon, marking her West End leading lady debut. Also currently appearing in a leading West End role, Taila Halford is starring as Emily in the West End cast of The Devil Wears Prada.
Several Emil Dale Academy alumni continue to lead major productions across London and beyond. Laura Dawkes previously starred as Anna in Frozen The Musical in London’s West End, with her performance now available to audiences worldwide via Disney+. Izi Maxwell starred as Sophie in Mamma Mia! in the West End, one of musical theatre’s most iconic leading roles. Georgina Onuorah’s recent credits include Lulu in Shucked, Fiona in Brigadoon, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, Angelica in Hamilton, Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, and, most recently, Todrick Hall’s Midnight. Verity Thompson has appeared in major productions, including Heathers, and is currently starring in Moulin Rouge! World Tour, continuing to build an incredible professional career in musical theatre.
After spending a year as a swing in the West End cast, Jessie Odeleye won the role of Ali in Mamma Mia!, with Zaynah Ahmed seen as Lisa in the following West End company and as Preeti in Bhangra Nation at Birmingham Rep. Jessica Lim recently appeared as Jenna in Be More Chill, following her run on the UK tour of Dear Evan Hansen and earlier credits in Shrek. Charlotte-Hannah Jones also stepped into an iconic title role as Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray at Kilworth House Theatre.
BA (Hons) graduate Ellie Stevens has recently been announced as set to star as Sandy in the European Tour of Grease, taking on one of musical theatre’s most recognisable leading roles. This marks a full-circle moment, as Ellie previously starred as Sandy in Emil Dale Academy’s iconic production of Grease in 2016. Also internationally, Sophie-Rose Middleton is currently playing Susan in the International Tour of Tick, Tick… BOOM!, following her run as Pearl in Starlight Express in Germany. Billie Kerr has appeared in SIX the Musical across both the UK and international tours, performing as Catherine of Aragon and Jane Seymour. Rachael Kendall Brown will next star as Kylie in The High Life for the National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep Theatre, following recent roles including Dee in Get Down Tonight and earlier work across major touring productions.
Recent Sixth Form graduates are also stepping directly into principal work. Hope Dawe has appeared as Sandy in the UK tour of Grease, starred as Luna in Weird, and covered the lead role of Ali in the West End cast of Burlesque the Musical. Georgia Gillam joined the UK and Ireland tour of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical as Alline and first cover Tina Turner. Sydney Spencer has covered all three leading female roles in the UK and Ireland tour of Hamilton. Gerardine Sacdalan starred as Juliet in the & Juliet UK Tour and was seen delivering a standout performance on Britain’s Got Talent across millions of TV screens across the nation.
These achievements - and many others - reflect Emil Dale Academy’s ongoing success in training performers who go on to lead productions at the highest professional level. The academy continues to take pride in supporting its graduates as they build sustainable and successful careers within the global performing arts industry.
