Cambridge

Principal – Mikey Kowalczyk

Michael is a trained and experienced actor, director and youth acting worker with a huge passion for the arts and viewing theatre and performance as a hugely important part of the arts.

Michael has worked on a diverse range of projects having toured with Gomito Productions’ devised Christmas play “A Toymakers Christmas” in 2009 and directed with “Company of Angels”; he has extensive acting and directing experience both professional and amateur whilst also having strong musical capabilities on the piano, guitar, bass and vocals.

Currently Michael is focusing more on directing and teaching, working in Soham Village College Secondary School as a teaching assistant and playing a strong role within the performing arts department. Michael is also preparing to direct a new play this autumn after returning from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the fifth time where he is playing in the band for Viva Touring’s musical “I love you, you’re perfect, now change”.

Michael’s real passion in theatre is “devised theatre” and “new writing” with a focus on ensemble work and a strong belief in the philosophy of “no small parts”.

“The theatre is an outlet of creativity from every member of the team from the wardrobe to the title role; without every member of the team doing their job as well as they possibly can, we would be lost.”

Katherine – Musical Theatre

I’m Katherine, one of the musical theatre teachers at PQA. I currently train in Ballet, Tap, Modern, contemporary and singing at The Maple Academy of Performing Arts.

In 2004 I was a founder and choreographer of ‘Stage Chance’, a youth theatre situated in Soham. Over the past 6 years Stage Chance has given over 150 children the chance to perform on stage. Stage Chance’s aim is to give opportunities to all young people to be involved in theatre; on and off the stage. I have been producing and choreographing at least two shows a year ranging from our annual pantomime to our cabaret revues which include all the best loved songs from the musicals.

Teaching Musical Theatre at PQA is an absolute pleasure; the students are all so enthusiastic and motivated to work, which makes my job so enjoyable. I love seeing the student’s confidence and talent growing, whilst also having a good time.

Katie – Comedy & Drama

Katie is a Qualified Teacher of Performing Arts, currently teaching GCSE Drama at Peterbourgh Regional College.

In addition to a Post-Graduate Teaching Qualification (QTLS) Katie also has a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Second Class Honours-Division One) in ‘Drama, Physical Theatre and Dance’ and a number of BTEC qualifications all gained at Distinction level; covering all elements of Performing Arts.

Within Katie’s Post-Graduate teaching placement at Elliott-Clarke Theatre School/College, Liverpool in 2010, she was involved in delivering 3 modules on the BTEC National Musical Theatre course, teaching learners aged between 16-19. During this professional placement Katie was observed 8 times over the period of the course and all her observations were graded 1 (Outstanding) according to the Ofsted criteria, this can be clearly evidenced through the delivery of her lessons and through her comprehensively explained rationales. Katie believes that this is an illustration that her teaching reflects a commitment to student-centred learning.

Katie also taught LAMDA at Elliott-Clarke Theatre School within the youth theatre, training learners from the ages of 7-16. This position involved writing, choreographing and presenting a Christmas show for all age groups to be a part of. This was performed at the Nova’s Theatre in Liverpool and gave Katie the perfect opportunity to discover and develop her teaching and directing skills. The pass rate for this qualification, which Katie taught for 5 months, was 100%. Being involved in teaching this range of learners has given Katie valuable experience in developing a range of teaching approaches.

Katie’s employment experience prior to obtaining her Undergraduate degree in 2009 includes a number of Television roles; encompassing both spoken parts and more general background work, Modelling, and Theatre productions. This has proved useful in informing her teaching and enhancing the learning of those students whom she has taught. The ability to relate these experiences to a learning environment enhances the experience of all learners.

Whilst commencing her degree programme at Edge Hill University Katie also undertook voluntary work at Star-Struck Theatre School in Rochdale, teaching basic drama techniques to groups of children between the ages of 4-21.

Dan – Film & Television

After completing A-Levels in Media/Film Studies/Drama/Dance at Hills Road Sixth Form, Cambridge, Daniel is now currently training fulltime at Stageworks.Performing Arts in his second and final year. An all round arts enthusiast Daniel has had lots of experience from acting to directing. Daniel has produced nearly 20 full scale productions since the age of 12 when he set up his own theatre company.

Over the years Dan has staged many cabarets, concerts, produced a full scale musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival’. One of his biggest loves since a very early age has been pantomime; his scripts are published and his work can be seen performed by other companies around the UK. Daniel is delighted to be teaching at Cambridge’s PQA

Lucy – Reception

Biography to appear here soon