Milton Keynes

Principal and Comedy & Drama – Martin Lay

With a love of theatre and the performing arts for over 20 years, it is a real privilege to teach at PQA, which for me, is somewhat a dream.

Since teaching for PQA, I have been able to direct and produce productions including: ‘Bugsy Malone’; ‘Scrooge’ and write a number of productions such as ‘Around the World in 5 days’; ‘Murder at PQA Manor’ (a murder mystery based on Cluedo characters).

Having started my professional experience as a Bluecoat entertainer at Pontin’s, I enjoyed the mix of entertainment and having fun with the guests.

Previously gained experience as a producer; director; choreographer and performer in many shows; plays; musicals & pantomimes, a few of my favourites are:

· Anne of green gables – choreography
· Accidental death of an anarchist – direction
· Charlie Girl – ‘Joe’ / choreography
· Cinderella – ‘Buttons’
· Beauty & the Beast – the ‘Beast’ / direction
· Little red riding hood – ‘Muddles’ / direction

In Southampton, I started the local youth drama group and produced a successful interpretation of ‘Midsummer night’s dream’ with Di. I enjoy taking tap dance lessons each week, occasionally performing in local shows.

My qualifications include further education in theatre studies and IDTA dance teacher; NLP practitioner and an IHD accredited coach.

Lisa – Musical Theatre

I have been dancing since I was three years old and teaching full time for the past three years. I Love working with children and it is the most rewarding job there is.

I am currently attending The Bucks New University studying Dance Teaching to gain a degree. Over the years I have performed in many annual dance shows, dancing, acting and singing. In July 2008 I danced as a show girl for Circus Vegas in Ireland.

The I.D.T.A (International Dance Teachers Association) qualifications I have gained are: Associate Teacher – Cheerleading Coach, Associate Teacher in Freestyle, Dance Exercise Diploma, Student Teacher Ballet and Tap.

I am very excited and lucky to have been given the chance to teach for PQA and am looking forward to the success of the Milton Keynes academy in the future. I’m sure with the talented children and dedicated teachers there will be many fantastic things to look forward to!

Ann – Musical Theatre

My performing career has given me the privilege of performing in both the UK and around the world.  In London I have performed in West End musicals including Les Miserables, 110 º in the Shade, Whistle Down the Wind and The Phantom of the Opera as Madame Giry.

In Europe I have performed in Lady Be Good as Josephine Vanderwater at La Fenice Opera House, Venice and at the Cultural Centre in Lisbon, Portugal.

Australian theatre credits include Cabaret as Sally Bowles, South Pacific as Ensign Janet McGregor, Me & My Girl as Lady Jacqueline Carstone, the title role of Annie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun and Mrs Marshall in Irene (with Debbie Reynolds).

In 2005 I was part of a five week concert tour of Japan with the Tokyo Philharmonic as Mrs Potts in Beauty & the Beast and in Australia in 2008 I created the role of Rose Sayer in the new operatic production of The African Queen.

TV and Film include Streetsmartz and Bom Bali.

I have had extensive teaching experience over some 20 years with private students and in both primary and secondary schools teaching voice and history and until recently I have been teaching History of Music Theatre and voice studies at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts on their Bachelor of Arts degree program.

I have a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theatre and a Masters of Creative Arts.

Daniel – Film & Television

I studied film and media at Dunstable college and at Newcastle. I am also a self taught artist, I work in many mediums such as paint, photography, film and wood. I like to share my skills and I find great joy in pulling the artist out of anyone one no matter age or background. There is no greater joy than seeing the progress of a person from “I can’t ” to having works of art coming from them.

I love to be involved in organisations of projects, I have put on many exhibitions (shared and solo), set dressed parties, built sets for photography and videos, helped set up ‘The Eclectic Arts Market’ with my partner, designed T shirts, flyers, CD covers for bands, put together film shoots from beginning to end and have brought my art to my children’s school by designing and building a Santa’s grotto set as well as donating large art for the playground. Also I have given private tuition in art.

I love to get things up and running with style fun and integrity, during the last few years I have helped set up Sunday Punch, a video production company, we have taken on large budget project and delivered stylish creative slick promos. I have been involved with the script, casting, story boards, shooting, finding original music, sound recording, editing and video box design. As well as this I also co host a radio show on CRMK, I have been finding local, young and upcoming musical unsigned talent to promote on the show

Chris – Poppets

Since the age of seven I knew that acting would become a very big part of my life and my teachers, friends and family were always there to support me. Following a Distinction star in my Performing Arts Btec, I am currently studying my second year of A-levels. Having always concentrated on achieving high grades in core subjects.

I have recently performed in six shows, these include: ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (Twice)(Lion and Tin man), ‘Hairspray’, Stowe, Roxborough Theatre (Seaweed) and ‘West Side Story’, Milton Keynes Theatre (Lt. Schrank). I have also played main parts, such as ‘The Big Bad Wolf’ and ‘The Genie’ in six out of ten pantomimes I’ve performed in. In my second year of secondary education I performed a modern play about group crime and bullying called ‘D.N.A’ at the Royal and Derngate Theatre, Northampton. I have studied tap dancing since I was seven and from the age of thirteen Modern dance and most recently Contemporary dance.

On the 6th April 2009 I received a letter notifying me that I had acquired a place in the ‘National Youth Theatre of Great Britain’. Actors such as Matt Lucas, David Walliams and Matt Smith have all belonged to this organisation, so as you can imagine I was unbelievably happy.

My ambition is now to further my education in Performing Arts at University, and I am pleased to be working at such a wide spread academy.

Alex - Poppets

I have always been an eager performer, starting tap lessons at the age of 8, and attending Gymnastics clubs in which we would hold different shows and performances around the local areas. I also sing in a variety of sites in and around Buckingham.

I have performed in a variety of shows in venues such as; The Royal Albert Hall, Milton Keynes Theatre, Gordon Craig Theatre, Sadlers Wells Theatre, Whaddesdon Mannor (MADD) and have done a handful of exam performances within the school I used to attend, allowing me to gain high grades within the GCSE’s and A Levels in Performing Arts and Dance courses. All shows including: singing, acting and/or dancing.

My current full time job is within a Primary School as a Teaching Assistant (whilst training to become a full time teacher), giving me the appropriate experience I need to work with the children within Poppets at a level that suits them best. I am excited to see the children grow with confidence as they continue their time within PQA.

Di – Academy Administration

Hi,

I enjoyed over 20 years of operetta and musical theatre, with a particular passion for the music side. I now find myself looking forward to being a part of PQA.

Having enjoyed singing with a successful choir attending various venues and participating in a variety of shows with several societies, I feel it will be rewarding working with students with similar interests.

I have appeared in shows; plays; musicals and pantomime. Some I remember as favourites are: Hans Anderson; Gypsy Baron; Kismet; Outpatients; Accidental Death of an Anarchist; Annie Get Your Gun; Cinderella and more recently, pantomimes at our local village.

In Southampton, I started the local youth drama group and produced a successful interpretation of ‘Midsummer night’s dream’ with Martin.

I also, teach drama & musical theatre at another local dance & drama academy and work as a Learning Support Assistant for special needs children at a local primary school where I have been for the last eight years.

I have run the school drama club where we produced many shows, some well known spins offs i.e. ‘Chocolate for Charlie’ and more recently ‘Eddie the penguin’, not only as a school production but taking part at the MAD festival at Waddesdon.

After recently experiencing the joy of children laughing and enjoying performing at school and Waddesdon, I look forward to help continue this within PQA.