Chislehurst & Sidcup

Principal – Heather Smith

Hi everyone!

I am the very proud principal of PQA Chislehurst and Sidcup and I would like to say that I and all the other teachers cannot wait to start teaching all the new PQA students and pass on all our skills and experience we have gained working in the performing arts industry! Here is a bit about myself and how I came to be in this exciting position! -

I started working in TV at 18 years old at BSkyB gaining experience as a runner for Sky News then worked my way up to become a researcher and production assistant for various TV companies and productions, commercials and films. To name a few, Ruby Films – ‘IS HARRY ON THE BOAT’ featuring Danny Dyer filmed in Ibiza Spain for Sky1, Princess Productions – ‘FRIDAY NIGHT PROJECT’ pilot & ‘SOFAMELT’ with Faye Ripley and ‘LATE LUNCH with Mel and Sue all Channel 4, talk shows including ‘THE JACK DOHERTY SHOW’ Channel 5, ‘FRIDAY NIGHTS ALL WRIGHT’ ITV with Ian Wright, ‘BARRYMORE’ ITV, ‘TFI FRIDAY with Chris Evans Channel 4’ and Saturday morning kids music show SMTV/CDUK with Ant & Dec & Cat Deeley ITV and ‘THE CHART SHOW’ Channel 5.

I then completed a Music Technology and Film Production degree having found my passions during which I worked in music studios in London to record voiceovers and music to go over animation and graphics for adverts for artists such as Rihanna, Neyo and Korn.

I have 8 years experience in TV/Film/Music having worked on many productions in the UK and abroad. I also have 10 years + experience working with young people having worked and volunteered for children’s charities Hackney Quest London and Stars of Tomorrow South Africa teaching Music Technology and Film Production to groups of 8-18year olds producing music, making music videos, documentaries, dramas and short films in London and Cape Town.

I have just come over from The Pauline Quirke Academy in Mallorca Spain after working over there to produce their short films for the film festival! Plus I am the Film and TV Tutor at PQA Rochester!

Monika – Musical Theatre

Monica Sik Holm was born the 24.11.1988 in the east of Norway.

Just graduating from a BA (Hons) in Music Performing Arts at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts with a first class honours degree, she is working as a musical theatre composer, singer and performer, as well as starting her MA in Musical Theatre Composition at Goldsmiths College in London from september.

Monica has participated in a large number of musical theatre productions, been singing in a wide range of choirs and vocal groups for 20 years and been the vocalist/pianist in different bands and big bands. She just finished playing the tadpole “Kvekk” in a brand new Norwegian rock musical for children called “The Rock Frogs”.

She started to write and compose music when she was 8 years old, and started on her first musical when she was only 13. Whilst still studying classical vocals and music at high school she was accepted to the Talent School in her county on rhythmical piano. One year later she got accepted into the Norwegian Academy of Music’s Young Musicians on jazz vocals.

In 2007, aged 18, she finished and produced her first own musical – Bucuresti The musical – with a cast of over 35 people, to huge success. She produced the same show in three different theaters in Norway, as well as playing one of the main roles as Tania.

The musical raised money for the street children in Romania, and gave away almost 100 000 NOK (£10 000) to the children in Bucharest.

Bucuresti The Musical had it’s UK – premiere in The Paul McCartney Auditorium in Liverpool in March 2011.

In 2010, Monica finished a work shop version of her second musical “Angel Dust” – which was performed in The Contemporary Urban Centre in Liverpool, UK.

In january 2011 she composed the music for a half-hour long musical about Nick Clegg in two weeks. The show was workshopped at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

Monica has also composed music for the short musical “Clegg The Musical” and the song cycle “Moments”. In October 2012 she will be one of the composers for “The 48 hour musical” at The Birmingham Mac.

Monica was a part of the norwegian team in the World championships of performing arts in Los Angeles in july 2011, were she won the Vocal Self-Accompaniment Original Works category, received Silver in Vocal Self-Accompaniment Musical Theatre and an industry award. She also received the Team Spirit Award along with the norwegian team.

As well as what is mentioned above, Monica has also studied a one year course in musical theatre at Romerike Folk High School, participated in a large number of concerts, played for a wide range of companies/organizations, produced a large number of own concerts, trained and taught at Art Musical Theatre School, conducted different choirs and worked as an Event Manager and Project Leader for the charity organization “Europe in Focus”.

She has also done a wide range of events with different bands and alone.

She has been awarded a number of prizes for her work, including: The Dream Scholarship from Norwegian Culture Council and Norwegian lotteries, a talent scholarship from the culture board “The Prison”, The Norwegian National Youth Prize 2008 from Lions, The Youth Charity Prize 2008 from Lions District 104g and The Youth Culture Prize 2007 from Hole Municipality in Norway.

Amy – Comedy & Drama

I’m a friendly Geordie with a big heart and huge passion for Acting! Ever since I went to my very first Panto at the age of three and refused to leave the theatre, it was obvious that I would never be far from the world of Performing Arts! From an early age I attended stage school in my native city of Newcastle upon Tyne gaining dance certificates and drama awards to advanced levels. As a young performer I was involved in many productions such as Bugsy Malone at the Tyne Theatre, Newcastle, and on screen in Byker Grove and a Metrocentre Advert for ITV.

I trained in Theatre Arts at Rose Bruford College, Sidcup where I completed my degree, and have since worked as a professional Actor across the UK and Europe including China Dolls at the Gateway Theatre, Edinburgh; A Pinch of Salt with White Horse Theatre- Germany Tour and The Nutcracker with Working space Theatre. In addition to this I have worked extensively within Theatre-In-Education touring to schools all over the UK performing issue-based theatre and facilitating workshops with pupils aged 10-17yrs. In addition to work as a performer I have a great deal of experience as a youth worker, having worked on summer camps in the USA for four summer seasons; leading play schemes in Birmingham for Solihull council; and having managed a residential summer camp in the lake district for under-privileged young people aged 9-18yrs.

In 2009 I decided to travel and gain some worldly experience. After an amazing two years on many continents meeting and experiencing a variety of characters and cultures; I had a notebook with me at all times which is now filled with my observations of hundreds of characters from around the globe from Vietnam to Guatemala. I loved seeing how different people expressed themselves: their walks and facial expressions-my passion for Acting never leaves me!

On returning to the UK last year, I decided that I wanted to focus on my Acting career and am currently studying for my MA in Professional Acting at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts in London. I am more ambitious and determined than ever, and am very excited to be able to pass my knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for the craft of Acting onto pupils at PQA!

Vicky – Film & Television

Vicky Alcock is a great actress recently seen in the BBC drama “Call The Midwife” and the ITV series “Whitechapel”. She has played Mandy’s mum ‘Lorraine’ in “EastEnders” and has also appeared in Holby City, Bad Girls, Dr. Who- Planet of the Dead, The Bill and many more. As well as being a raw and edgy actress Vicky teaches drama masterclasses regularly and has been with our academy from the very start. Vicky is a fantastic and energetic teacher and shares all her knowledge and expertise in teaching her Film and TV module to our students.

Ashly – Film & Television

Ashly has extensive experience on camera and behind it. Her career in acting began at age 8 and spanned from Scotland to Hollywood. With one of the top agents in Hollywood (the same agent as Sylvester Stallone) representing her, she has appeared in many movies, tv shows and music videos. Alongside lots of well known faces, including staring in a feature film (currently showing on US Netflix and showtime) alongside Kellen Lutz from Twilight!

She trained as an actress with some of the most renouned teachers in both London and Los Angeles. Meeting many stars along the way Victoria Beckham, Miley Cyrus, Jon Voight, Farrah Fawcett.

Having attended hundreds of auditions securing roles, she knows what it takes to land that part!

Ashly has her own production company with 6 short films and 1 feature under her belt. She is well versed in the art of directing, writing and producting, with her first ever film making it to the finals at a Canadian film festival. Her current project, Empty Pages will be submitted to some fantastic festivals next year and will be followed by her second feature film, ‘The ice’.

As well as acting, directing and writing Ashly has modelled for top designers on catwalks all over the world.

She loves teaching and the creativity working with young people brings. You never know, she might need a PQA student for a part in one of her films!

Cat – Poppets

Cat is a creative, energetic and multitalented performer with a genuine and natural presenting style.

Cat can currently be seen everyday presenting on preschool ‘edu-tainment’ show Hi5 for CITV and Cartoonito. She presents the ‘puzzles and patterns’ segment which involves continuous multitasking with a seemingly effortless delivery to camera. Cat had been thrown in at the deep end as she landed Hi5 in the lead up to her graduation, learning on the job and travelling to many destinations. Highlights include performances at Cannes TV festival Mipcom, rehearsing alongside the Australian Hi5 cast in Sydney, a successful UK and Ireland tour of ‘Hi5 Surprise’ which was also at the HMV Apollo Hammersmith , performing at a Sheikh’s palace in Abu Dhabi and guest presenting on RTE Den Tots alongside Emma O’Driscoll in Ireland.

Cat was born and raised in South East London to Mauritian parents, she has a supportive family who keep her focused and grounded. Cat trained as a dancer since the age of 5 at a local dance school. She continued her dedication to dance throughout her school years winning the dance shield at her secondary school as well as attending classes, exams and competitions after school and at weekends. This passion to perform turned into a career aim when Cat secured a place at the prestigious BRIT School in Croydon; she thrived on the challenges and performance opportunities whilst there including the BRIT Awards dancing with boy band Blue and legend Tom Jones and also at BBC Bands Unsigned.

After completing her qualifications at the BRIT School, Cat then went on to win a full scholarship at Bird College, where she gained a BA (Hons) Degree in Dance and Theatre Performance, completing her training as a professional dancer, singer and actress, some would say a ‘triple threat’.

Cat is a big-hearted and generous character who has the ability to inspire others with her passion, she has a drive to encourage children and young people to harbour their talents and pursue their dreams. She has taught in many schools, clubs and workshops in and around London for over eight years and has experience working with children from all backgrounds. Youth culture has always been an interest to Cat and she is keen to be a part of bringing positivity and encouragement to them as a role model.

Cat’s other interests include fitness ,music and travel, also a trained fitness instructor Cat likes to spend time maintaining her inner and outer health by working out and practising yoga. Music has always been a big part of Cats life, she has an extensive range to her musical taste influenced by her dancing background and Mauritian heritage. Cat has a passion for world travel and is extremely interested in history and world culture, she is working through a long list of countries to be visited.

Cat is always raring to go and quick to adapt to change and challenges, her warm and welcoming nature makes her a pleasure to work with.

Joseph – Teaching Assistant

Joseph Dewey is one of Britains hottest up and coming actors. He was trained at The BRIT School and Bird College. Josephs career started in the London Film Festival acclaimed short ‘Dawn’. He later went onto star in the web series ‘The Band’, work with Bryan Singer (Xmen) on ‘Jack The Giant Slayer’ and open the Olympics at The London 2012 Games.

He is most recently filming ‘A Mile In His Soul’ and ‘All This Time’ both due out in 2014 amongst other projects. Joseph also owns a film production company in London, GRFilms. Joseph Is represented by Dragon Personal Management. He has just had a call back for Mr Selfridge and he is currently filming 2 shorts with his own film production company.

Chris – Teaching Assistant

Chris graduated from the Arts Educational School London in 2010. Since graduation he has toured nationally and internationally with several different Theatre Companies. He has had various roles on Television, corporate and commercials.

Theatre credits include playing Dorian Gray all over Germany and Japan. Duncan Wick in Mark Wheelers ‘To much Punch for Judy.’ Television includes, skins, misfits and Doc Martin.

He is very excited join The PQA and looks forward to help create the showcase for the end of summer term.