Bradley Stoke

Principal: Trish Verey

Hi, I’m Trisha and I am the principal of PQA Bradley Stoke and Bristol.

I have three children, two of which are involved with the performing arts.

My daughter was involved in many professional dance projects and pantomimes from a young age and has now graduated from Performers College and pursuing a career in Musical Theatre. My youngest son, Sean has appeared in several T.V. projects since the age of 9 and has recently completed a diploma course in performing arts at City of Bath College and is now teaching the T.V and film module for PQA.

I have worked as a wardrobe assistant/dresser on numerous professional musical theatre productions, and my husband David is a fully qualified football coach and referee. As a result of our son’s involvement with TV and filming, both David and I have had much experience with chaperoning over the years, a fantastic way to be involved in projects that all my children are passionate about.

PQA has now offered an opportunity to give something back and we all fully embrace the “fun not fame” ethos of the academies. We agree the philosophy is fundamental to the success of PQA and have great pride and satisfaction putting it to use and watching students of all ages grow in confidence.

We feel very lucky in Bradley Stoketo have recruited a very talented and enthusiastic teaching staff. Their enthusiasm extends to all the students, and this has helped PQA Bradley Stokebe such a fun place to learn such valuable skills.

Our Teachers

Amy

Film & Television

I have always had an avid interest in drama and have belonged to amateur drama groups since the age of 9. At 19 years of age I won a lead role in the NYMT’s production of Pal Joey, which we took to the Edinburgh Festival. At 21 I moved to London and studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama. On my return to Bristol I joined a profit- share theatre company called Riff Raff. We performed at various pub theatres in Bristol putting shows such as Comedy of Erros, Lulu and Sweeney Todd.

I went on to study as a mature student at UWE in Bristol, graduating with a first class degree in Drama and Cultural and Media Studies. My degree enabled me to develop my critical and analytical skills in relation to both media and theatre and also taught me the practical art of filmmaking. Since leaving university I have attended short courses in Acting for Screen at Bristol University and Film Directing with the London Film Academy. More recently I have been working with various children’s theatre groups in Bristol and I have also been focusing on another passion of mine, script writing.

I am very pleased to have the opportunity to share my skills and experience with the children at PQA.

Leanne

Musical Theatre

I graduated in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre from Performers College. Whilst training I gained teaching qualifications in ISTD Modern and Tap dance, as well as teaching drama to children at the weekends. My training consisted of various styles of dance, (including ballet, tap, modern technique, all jazz styles, contemporary, partner work, choreography and street dance), singing (including ensemble and harmony work, practical musicianship and recording experience), Musical Theatre and drama. Throughout my training I was lucky enough to learn from some of the best in the industry and to perform at great venues in London in a variety of shows. I was also dance captain in my third year productions of ‘I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change’ and ‘The Mystery of Edwin Drood’. After graduating from Performers, I took the London Actors Workshop course where I took part in master classes with professional actors and casting directors, and performed in the final showcase at The Cockpit Theatre in London.

My credits include commerical for ‘Danepak’, Ellie in ‘Strangers in the Park’, ‘Aladdin’, ‘Dick Whittington’ and ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, all for UK Productions at The Theatre Royal Bath.

After graduating I gained more teaching experience, including Street Dance master classes at various PQA Academies and then began teaching Musical Theatre at PQA Bradley Stoke when it opened in 2009. I currently continue to teach here as well as at the PQA Cheltenham afternoon sessions. I particularly enjoy choreographing and my highlight at PQA so far has to be working on our show ‘American Dreams’ and seeing the children perform my choreography at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London’s West End.

Josie

Assistant

Hi, I’m Josie and I am the Comedy and Drama teacher at Bradley Stoke PQA. I have always had a real passion for drama from an early age. I have been involved in both professional and amateur theatre work and have gained a distinction in the Bronze, Silver and Gold RADA Certificates. Alongside these I have also worked through grades 1 – 8 with LAMDA. I achieved full marks in my Theatre A Level and I am currently doing an Open University course from home which looks at the study of both ‘Theatre’ and ‘Working with Children’ to aid my teaching.

I regularly make trips to the theatre, aiming to see 52 productions each year. This gives me the insight to see a range of different productions, styles and techniques, encouraging me to share my knowledge of theatre with the students and stimulate their interest.

I have worked at PQA for 3 years now and stil look forward to seeing all the children’s faces each Saturday as we learn new things each lesson and build on dramatic and comedic theatre skills!