Tutors

Philip Dale

Principal & Senior Drama Tutor

Phil was the Manager of Harlow Playhouse from 2001 until January 2008. He has extensive theatrical production experience having produced every pantomime at the venue between 1994 and 2007. In 2000 he formed The Playhouse Theatre Company and went on to produce over 20 productions including Oliver!, The Wizard of Oz, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo & Juliet. As a Director his work includes various pantomimes, Macbeth, Cabaret, Little Shop of Horrors and Bugsy Malone. As a performer his appearances include Oberon in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Mike in Berkoff’s East, although he was probably best known locally as a pantomime villain. He formed The Playhouse Theatre School in 2002, starting with one class of 14 students. In 2008 the school moved from the Playhouse to its current premises at Burnt Mill and was renamed the Phoenix Theatre School. Phil also runs Beggars and Kings Theatre Company and Thunderslam Wrestling.

Jeanne Stacey

Senior Drama Tutor

Jeanne studied for a MA in acting at the East15 Acting School, obtaining a Distinction in 2007. During her studies she focused specifically on the acting process, responding to text, voice and movement. Prior to continuing her full-time studies, Jeanne was Head of Drama at Birchwood School in Bishops Stortford and was responsible for introducing hundreds of pupils to a lifelong interest in Theatre. She was co-founder of The Playhouse Theatre School in 2002 and was responsible for introducing LAMDA qualified Acting and Verse exams to the School. As a Director, Jeanne’s credits include A Midsummer Night's Dream, Road and Westside Story. Choreography credits include Jack and the Beanstalk and Little Shop of Horrors. As a performer Jeanne’s credits include the title role in Calamity Jane, Ti-Ling in Aladdin and Mrs Spud in Spoonface Steinberg.

Danny Bage

Musical Theatre Tutor

Danny completed a BA Performing Arts degree at Middlesex University before going on to do his Masters degree at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London. Musical theatre credits include Terry in Boogie Nights (UK tour), Charlie in Only the Brave at the New Theatre, Cardiff, and Pip in Great Expectations at the Shaw Theatre, Euston. Theatre credits include: Voice of Scooby Doo / Otto / Pirate Ghost in Scooby Doo and the Pirate Ghost Live Onstage (Number 1 UK tour and West End) and Ghost in Written With Light at the Roundhouse Theatre, Camden. Danny has appeared in several pantomimes including Peter Pan at the Lighthouse Theatre, Poole where he played an Italian pirate (Michael Rose Ltd), Sleeping Beauty at the Lichfield Garrick and Cinderella (for Qdos Entertainment) where he played an Ugly Sister!.

Hayley Burns AISTD (BB)

Jazz Dance Tutor

Hayley was vocationally trained at Northern Ballet School 1992-1994, gaining Associate ISTD and then in 1995 she graduated from the London Studio Centre. Hayley then worked extensively as a professional dancer in places such as Portugal, Hong Kong, Norway and Denmark. Following the birth of her daughter, Hayley started teaching and choreographed the Harlow Playhouse pantomimes Cinderella and Robin Hood. Hayley also choreographed Celtic Knot which was the winner of the British Troupe Championships 2009 (Senior Classical Section).

Sophie Barker

Primary Drama Tutor

Sophie has extensive stage experience; her credits include the title role in the Harlow Playhouse production of Cinderella, Alice in Dick Whittington, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Oliver! and The Wizard of Oz. Having studied Theatre Studies and Music at Herts & Essex, in September 2008 she commenced the three-year full-time acting course at East15 Acting School in Loughton. A former pupil of The Playhouse Theatre School, Sophie has a grade 8 Associated Board of Singing Qualification and was formerly the Primary Drama Assistant Tutor of the Playhouse Theatre School before taking over the main teaching position in 2008.

Faye Linden

Primary Drama Assistant Tutor

Faye is currently studying for a BA in Teacher Training (Specialising in Early Primary Years) at Anglia Ruskin University. She also has a BTEC National Diploma in Early Years Teaching. Another former pupil of The Playhouse Theatre School, Faye has extensive stage experience, including taking the title role in Harlow Playhouse’s production of Dick Whittington. Other stage appearances include Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella, Robin Hood, The Wizard of Oz, Oliver! and Romeo & Juliet.

Katie Barker-Dale

Stand-in Dance & Musical Theatre Tutor

Katie is a recent graduate of Laine Theate Arts in Epsom obtaining a diploma in Professional Musical Theatre. She is a former member of The Harlow Ballet School, The Brenda Taylor School of Dance and Makin’ Steps in Harlow. This Christmas she will be returning to The Belfast Royal Opera House for the third year running as a principal dancer in their award winning pantomime. Other credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2006 (Hermia), Cinderella, 2005 (Senior Chorus), The Wizard of Oz, 2005 (Ozian), Jack and the Beanstalk, 2004 (Senior Chorus), Annie, 2004 (Ensemble), Cabaret, 2003 (Rosie), Dick Whittington, 2002 (Junior Chorus), Westside Story, 2002 (Minnie) and Cinderella, 1999 (Junior Chorus). She was assistant choreographer for Oliver!, 2006, and choreographer for Romeo and Juliet, 2007 and Bugsy Malone, 2007.

Debbie Hannam

Stand-in Dance & Musical Theatre Tutor

Debbie has been a performer for 29 years and a teacher of dance and singing for 11 years. Debbie founded Musical Theatre at the Playhouse Theatre School in 2002 where she continued to teach until 2008. Debbie is currently a freelance singing and dance tutor and is still performing as a singer.

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