PQA Haywards Heath.

Charlotte Hollingworth

Hi, I am Charlie and I very much enjoy being part of the PQA team as an academy assistant. I have recently graduated from the University of Exeter with a first-class degree in Drama. I have a background in acting and have been lucky enough to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival twice. First in an original jazz musical set in the 20s. The second entitled ‘SOS BRN’ was a student-written exploration of processing grief. Through my degree I gained experience working in applied drama, specifically working with students for which English was a second language. I assisted Doorstep Arts’ Devising and Discovery Program in which I directed and facilitated these students in collaboration with Paddleboat Theatre. It opened my eyes to just how beneficial and therapeutic performance can be, especially for those who have not had the opportunity before. I am also passionate about classical texts. I gained experience both performing in and artistic directing the Exeter University Shakespeare company. Alongside producing and fundraising, I was responsible for organising workshops to encourage new members. I am thrilled to be a part of the PQA team and look forward to each PQA session, encouraging our student's confidence and creativity through the performing arts!

Erin Urquhart

Hello, I’m Erin and I am very excited to be teaching Film & Television at PQA Haywards Heath. I began training in performing arts at the age of 6, I studied Ballet, Modern, Contemporary dance and Drama. I went on to pursue Dance at Bath Spa University where I nurtured my interest in film and have since had my films shown in festivals in the UK. When I am not teaching, I continue to make films and screendance productions. I am passionate about all things performing arts and think my multidisciplinary background will help to encourage the children to develop their own unique skills and interests.

Esther Dracott

Hi there, I'm Esther and I am the Poppets teacher here at PQA Haywards Heath. Before becoming Poppets Teacher in September 2024, I worked at PQA as an Academy Assistant since the official opening on the academy back in September 2023. I got a first-class bachelor's degree in Acting from the University of Chichester. I am also a Drama Teacher, teaching children aged 4-7 in an after-school club to embrace their creativity through storytelling. My love for performing began as a child where my teachers and family encouraged the creativity they saw in me. This allowed me to flourish at a young age and I love being able to offer children the same opportunity - particularly the Poppets class. At the heart of all performance art is storytelling. I will allow the classroom to be a creative space to enjoy the freedom of exploring new characters and how it can be beneficial in developing communication and teamwork. Alongside teaching, I am a freelance Actor, Writer and Producer, most notably for a theatre company, who have toured across the UK and are currently part of Chichester Festival Theatre's Artist Development Programme.

Holly Ashcroft

Hello! My name is Holly & I am thrilled to be part of the team at PQA. I recently graduated from the Urdang Academy with a First Class BA (Hons) degree in Professional Dance & Musical theatre, previously completing a foundation course at the Guildford School of Acting. My passion for performing arts developed at a very young age. I grew up in a theatrical family and attended performing arts schools weekly from the age of 3. I was a member of Glyndebourne Youth Opera for two years performing on the main stage, before going on to train professionally at GSA and Urdang. I most recently performed the role of Sister Mary Patrick for Urdang. Alongside my personal passion for performing arts, I have always known that teaching was something I had a very strong desire to pursue. Having grown up in a performance environment, I know how important it is for a child to have a safe space to express themselves, have fun, and make lifelong friendships. I love sharing my passion for performing with the PQA students.

Jade Sheridan

Libby Waters

Hi, I’m Libby and I am so excited to be teaching Comedy & Drama at PQA Haywards Heath. I studied Drama at the University of Exeter where I was awarded a first class degree with Honours and a commendation for my contribution towards the Drama department! I am passionate about drama and I have experience working as a Writer, Director, and Performer; I have performed at a wide variety of venues from Theatre Royal in Brighton to Cadogan Hall in London and trained with inspiring industry professionals across multiple different disciplines including Katie Mitchell and Don Boyd. I hope in this role at PQA to inspire the students and provide a supportive, playful, and nurturing environment where they can learn and explore through the medium of theatre how to express themselves, build their confidence, and have fun!

Megan Webb

I have been a lover of musical theatre since I received a free DVD copy of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella starring Brandy and Whitney Houston in a newspaper when I was about 6 or 7 years old. Having studied some form of theatre since GCSE level, in 2021, I graduated from the University of Portsmouth with a first class BA Musical Theatre Degree. I also graduated again in 2023 with a Distinction in my Masters of Research thesis about Historical Musical Theatre. I am currently working towards my PhD, specialising in Historical Musical Theatre and Adaptation, and am keen to step into more teaching-based roles. I find theatre so inspiring when it comes to growing confidence and building life-long bonds and friendships. I love working with the PQA Haywards Heath team and enjoy bringing my enthusiasm, passion and love for musical theatre to the children. I have always had an incredible passion to teach and nurture the creative minds of young people.

Nicola Tingley

I am delighted to be supporting Florence as her Vice Principal at PQA Haywards Heath. My love for the performing arts started at school when I'd produce performances with friends and take the lead roles, sing to my heart's content in assemblies and I was fortunate to have toured the UK with Glyndebourne's The Cunning Little Vixen. I studied art and drama, and my ambition was to open my own drama school, but instead my career headed down the business route as an HR professional. I gained an ONC in Business & Finance from Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology, and in 1997 I graduated from Croydon College with the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development. In 2003 I attained my Chartered CIPD Membership and continued my HR career at management level in the public, private and charity sectors, currently working independently as an HR investigator in the health and social care sector. I have always been interested in health and fitness, qualifying as an aerobics instructor, and having spent many years ferrying my daughter to umpteen dance lessons, competitions and shows, I am thrilled to be a part of her dream at PQA.

Rachael Horscroft

Hi, I’m Rachael, and I’m so excited to be part of the PQA team! I’ve loved performing for as long as I can remember—I started dance classes when I was just 3 years old and never looked back. From ballet buns to tap shoes, I went through all the RAD ballet and ISTD tap grades. I then went on to study Musical Theatre at The University of Chichester Conservatoire, where I achieved a First-Class Honours Degree, before completing a Master’s in Musical Theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Since graduating, I’ve been lucky enough to work professionally as a singer, dancer, and actor. I’ve performed as a Lead Vocalist for both Warner Theatre Company (where I was also Dance Captain) and Potters Theatre Company. At Potters, I not only performed as a Lead Vocalist but also covered multiple roles as a swing—meaning I had to be ready to jump into different parts at a moment’s notice! Musical Theatre is my biggest passion, and nothing beats the excitement of putting on a show! I can’t wait to help PQA students discover their talents, grow in confidence, and develop both as performers and as people.