Sarah is Artistic Director and founder of award winning umbrella company, HyperFusion Theatre Company, of which the Academy is one arm of. She is a director, actor, facilitator, actor/teacher, writer, she has been making theatre for over 30 years.
Sarah graduated from Rose Bruford Drama School with a BA degree in Community Theatre in 1991 and Middlesex University with a PGCE in Drama in 1994 and Sarah’s mission is to create inclusive theatre available to all. Theatre that starts discussions. And theatre that changes the world.
With her unique and innovative style, Sarah has worked with over 41,000 young people, on many different pieces and countless different genres but she always stamps her own, inimitable style on the project and brings an enthusiasm, sincerity and passion that is unrivalled.
Directing credits.
PLAYS: BURN, THE TRIAL, SHAKERS, MIRAD A BOY FROM BOSNIA, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, STUFF I BURIED IN A SMALL TOWN, FUGEE.
MUSICALS: GREASE, CHILDREN OF EDEN, ANNIE, WEST SIDE STORY, PETER PAN, WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, FAME, WALTZING IN THE DARK, HAIR, SWEET CHARITY, UNPLUGGED, WE WILL ROCK YOU, FOOTLOOSE, THE FULL MONTY, 13 THE MUSICAL, PETER PAN, WONDERLAND, 13 and now what? and England’s debut performance of PARADE.
PROFESSIONAL TOURS: 10 MINUTES IN THE FUTURE, LAUGH AND YOU’RE PART OF IT, IT WON’T HAPPEN TO ME, BURN, LOVE, LIES AND LULLABIES, IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE, BILLY, BOBBIE, WALK IN MY SHOES, WHO AM I? LOVE, DEBBIE & DAZ’S BIG DAY, BOY, THE BRUISE YOU CAN’T SEE and CONSENT.
RANDOM: Choreography for Danny Maddox (QPR) TESTIMONIAL CABARET, Choreography for SHOCKWAVES AD CAMPAIGN! (Wella Haircare). Murder, Mystery evenings (MILLENIUM BAILEYS HOTELS.) LAS VEGAS (Grosvenor Park Lane), WINDOWS OF THE WORLD (Hilton, Park Lane.)
WRITING CREDITS: Adaptation of PETER PAN, UNPLUGGED, WONDERLAND and 13 and now what….
“Sarah is a complete inspiration in her work particularly in live theatre. All of her work, whether as a director, writer or facilitator, is driven by her passion for social change through theatre, particularly for the younger generation.
Lara Wollington
Lara is a current actress, singer and dancer in the performing industry and West End and has been working in the industry from the age of 4. Lara trained at ‘North star academy’, ‘Spirit young performers company. She has choreographed competitive solos for ‘All England’ dance competitions and ‘dance world cup’ and has herself competed and won ‘National contemporary champion 21 and under’.
Some of her professional credits include performing in SHREK THE MUSICAL (DreamWorks/theatre royal Drury Lane), MATILDA THE MUSICAL (playing the title role with the RSC/ Cambridge theatre), BFG (Birmingham repertory theatre), GYPSY (Savoy Theatre) and ADRIAN MOLE THE MUSICAL (the Mernier/London bridge). Lara has also voiced the characters of FLORRIES DRAGONS (Disney), WANDA AND THE ALIEN (CITV) and 64 ZOO LANE (CBeebies).
Other credits include being on the original cast recording for ADRIAN MOLE and performing on ITV shows such as KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY, BRITAINS GOT TALENT and THE ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE.
Rachel Yates
Rachel trained in theatre in her home town of Liverpool. Growing up watching the vibrant and ground breaking ensemble company at The Liverpool Everyman inspired and encouraged her to move to London to study further in performing arts.
After spending some years lecturing in dance at Middlesex University and working as a freelance theatre practitioner she was introduced to Chickenshed Theatre Company, where she was appointed Associate Director in 1998.
At Chickenshed, Rachel’s ensemble style developed while working with large and small casts of often diverse, exciting groups of young people and adults. Her work is immediate and arresting using text and movement with clear story-telling and strong imagery. She often draws on the personal history of her actors for inspiration and has devised and written plays that have gone on to tour.
In 2013 Rachel directed and wrote All I’ve Known using verbatim and physical theatre styles combined to produce a successful touring piece for Chickenshed that received wide praise.
“Rachel Yates has researched, written, directed and designed with passion and skill….an extraordinary piece of theatre.” One Stop Arts.
More recently she directed and acted in Two by Jim Cartwright, Worked at The Finborough Theatre on Spokesong, leads the Actor’s Ensemble company at the Arts Depot, directed alongside Chris Bond at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and continues her creative relationship with the acclaimed director Dougal Wilson on award winning adverts and music videos.
Rachel makes every session stimulating, open and friendly.
Spencer James
Spencer trained as an actor at GSA Conservatoire and Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts (B A Honours.)
Professional theatre credits in London include The Scarecrow in THE WIZ, Conrad Birdie in
BYE BYE BIRDIE, Genie of The Lamp in ALADDIN and Pontius Pilate in JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. Spencer created the role of Shere Khan in a new musical adaptation of JUNGLE BOOK and Billy Flynn in CHICAGO.
Television credits include CASUALTY, DOCTORS, DIRTY WORK, BERKELY SQUARE, Archie in LOVE IN A COLD CLIMATE, backing vocals for Andrea Bocelli and Katherine Jenkins on STRICTLY COME DANCING and GMTV.
Spencer has taught at many schools throughout London, teaching all disciplines of dance and drama. He has worked as a Director and Choreographer of GREASE, OLIVER, BUGSY MALONE, WE WILL ROCK YOU, CHILDREN OF EDEN and SEUSSICAL.
More recently Spencer is the Founder and Director of South London Youth Theatre and the Director of ToneAcity, a vocal harmony group that are well established in the corporate entertainment world, performing gigs throughout the UK and Europe.
Dylan Tate BA Hons
Dylan graduated from East 15 Acting School in 2008. Dylan has been working as a professional actor since.
TIE credits include: LISTEN, 10 MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE, A TRUSTING GAME SHOW.
Theatre Credits LUCIFER HELMUT VAGINIS, LAST ORDERS, LOVE LIES AND LULLABIES, Fire Performer (Various); SWEET LOVE).
Film Credits SWEET THAMES RUN SOFTLY, SAVAGE DAZE, ALBINA SAKAEVA, MY LITTLE MONSTER
Television Presenter YOUR SHOUT.
Dylan also runs his own Theatre Company Purple Goat Theatre specialises in creating bespoke projects and is co Director at Flabbergast Theatre currently touring Australia.