PQA Burton Upon Trent.

Chiara Fappiano

I have had a passion for drama and musical theatre from a young age. I have participated in many shows, winning awards and have also attended PQA (which I loved). As a teaching assistant, I hope to bring my knowledge of attending the group and being a positive role model for the children. Also to be part of creating a safe space for them to learn, make friends and have fun!

Chloe Butler

Chloe is an enthusiastic member of our Assistant Team at PQA Burton. Having studied Primary Teaching at University, specialising in SEND, Chloe brings her expertise to all sessions to support students on a weekly basis. Chloe used to attend regular dance classes and has performed in many shows within this. She brings her passion and excitement for our Academy to provide a safe and fun environment for all out fabulous students.

Daisy Mullen-Thomson

Daisy is a professionally trained Ballet and Contemporary dancer, pursuing work in both acting and dance. She studied vocationally from age 12 at The Royal Ballet School, and went on to complete both her degree and professional graduate diploma at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She feels fortunate to have gained experience performing with renowned companies and choreographers from a young age, touring and collaborating with artists from a variety of different specialties. She is a member of the National Youth Theatre and also has a keen interest in movement direction, education and performance psychology. As someone who at a young age gained so much confidence through taking performance classes, she knows how beneficial the right attention, teachers and opportunities to express oneself can be in a child's development.

Ted Orme

Ted trained as an actor at Rose Bruford College, studying on the BA (Hons) European Theatre Arts programme. During this course, he also trained at Arthaus.Berlin and with OBRA Theatre Company. He now works as an actor and director, where he blends traditional acting practices with more experimental European methodologies. Drawing from this work, Ted lectures on the BA(Hons) Acting programme at Leicester college and leads the 18+ Acting Group and Young Performer Training at Nonsuch Studios. Ted also develops his own creative work. He places an emphasis on creative collaboration and draws together different art practices in order to develop new processes. This experience has led to him applying his understanding of dramaturgy to sound design, leading to further collaboration with musicians and theatre directors. At the core of all of his work is the search for the performer’s authentic voice, which he finds by accessing their inner play, rhythm and imagination.

Holly Chippendale

Holly Cowey

Holly is a passionate filmmaker with experience producing, directing, editing and starring in film projects - everything from documentaries to music videos!. She has achieved a A* equivalent in her Level 3 Film & TV BTEC, and is now working towards her BA(hons) in Filmmaking from Screen and Film School Birmingham. When she's not studying film, you can find her leading fun holiday activity camps for primary school children. She loves sharing her knowledge of cinema with her students, and seeing the incredible, creative ideas they come up with!

Kit Aizlewood

After working with young people through her Applied Theatre course at Birmingham City University, Kit's passion for working with students who share the same love for acting, film and theatre blossomed. Kit's goal is to make students feel safe, understood and respected as she was in her time at PQA. "Being yourself is the first step to becoming a confident actor".

Poppy Mullen-Thomson

Poppy graduated from Bird College with a BA(Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre, and is currently a professional performer in the musical theatre industry. She has studied all areas of musical theatre technique, including the dance styles ballet, jazz, contemporary, tap and commercial. She has a lot of professional performance experience, including performing at Curve Theatre in multiple productions. Poppy has a keen interest in choreography and direction, developing her skills in both by working with professional practitioners in workshops and devised projects, as well as writing and performing her own work. Poppy has always enjoyed teaching, doing so from a young age at her local dance school. She has more recently assisted at Bird College summer school, and is completing a Diploma in Dance Education. Poppy is very excited to be working with PQA as she loves to share her passion for theatre, and how it allows people to develop their creativity and confidence whilst having fun!

Sophie Butler

Sophie is a qualified secondary school teacher with a wealth of experience in both performing and teaching behind her. Having studied Dance and Drama at both Birmingham Ormiston Academy and the University Gloucestershire, Sophie is now loving every moment of sharing her expertise with the passionate students at the Pauline Quirke Academy. She is also studying a Masters in Education Leadership and Management so that she can give our pupils the best in her role as Vice Principal. With over 22 years experience in dance, over 19 years experience in acting and over 10 years experience in teaching, Sophie has competed across the UK in dancing competitions and has performed in Birmingham’s NIA and NEC, as well as London’s Royal Albert Hall. She has experience in writing plays and teaching/performing them and has been a stage manager for theatre productions over Gloucester and Cheltenham. One of her personal career highlights was appearing in the 2011 film ‘Jane Eyre’.