PQA Wolverhampton.

Curtis Ward

I have always loved making movies. There’s something so amazing about being able to be creatively free and see if you can bring your imagination to life! When I first started at PQA as a student in 2013, I was finally able to do that. In my short time as a student, I managed to massively build my confidence, enhance and discover new film skills and I also made some great friends. After I left, I began volunteering at PQA, before becoming the Film & TV Assistant (learning even more from my predecessors) and now finally, the Film & TV Teacher. It’s been a crazy, wild, fun journey and after just recently completing our first cinema screening and entering lots of films into the PQA Festivals, I’m proud to say that we’re having an absolute blast in my module. I have a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and have assisted on, on set location shoots for PQATV and independent film businesses. I also make my own short films and enter them into various festivals. My fan-made intro for an American reality show aired on GDLA (morning show in the states) and I came first runner up in the #SinisterHomeMovie Competition. Recently completed editing 16 short films for our academy cinema screening and I’m always working on something of my own. Couldn’t think of a better way to spend my Saturdays than with my exceptionally talented colleagues and our incredibly creative and fantastic students.

Jack Moran

I have performed in one way or another for most of my life, having spent over a decade training in dance and musical theatre at a local dance school. However, I truly discovered my passion for the arts during my time at secondary school, where I began pursuing Drama as a subject. Since then, it has very much become my life, and I will be continuing my studies at York St. John University. I am driven by the desire to give back to the Pauline Quirke Academy, for their invaluable training and support during my time there. Coming from a household with a low income, the opportunities I was given by PQA cemented my love for the arts and helped guide my path to a career as a performer in future. It would be no exaggeration to say that the generosity and dedication shown by the staff at PQA changed my life for the better, and I am delighted to be able to share this experience with future students at the Academy, and show my appreciation for such an important arts organisation.

Lili England-Shave

I have always had a passion and love of performing and especially musical theatre. Struggling with anxiety and low self confidence in my early teens, it gave me an outlet to become someone else and shine on stage. I started out as a student at PQA in 2018 and ever since then I have wanted to peruse a career in the industry even more. The skills and confidence I gained within my time there were second to none and I have had one-of-a-kind experiences; my highlight being playing the lead in legally blonde and teaching the poppets before I left for university. I went on to achieve a BA degree in musical theatre from LMA university in London and have gained so much more confidence in my ability. I am so excited to now return to my home town inspire a new generation of performers as the teachers at PQA did for me.

Lucy Beaumont

Michael Mortimer

Michael has been involved with performing arts for much of his life. He studied Theatre, Creative writing and Performing Arts and received a BA in 2006. As an actor, director and script writer, Michael has worked with the BBC, Channel 4, Blaise Media, The West Yorkshire Playhouse and created online comedy web series for UBTV. Michael has also worked with The York Dungeon as the performance Supervisor and campaign script writer. He created workshops for schools and wrote walking tours around York. Michael recently worked in America as the Head of Performing Arts at French Woods Sports and Arts Centre. He oversaw the Theatre, Dance, Magic and Music departments. He is extremely excited to work with PQA, not only to develop his own skills, but to pass on his own knowledge and experience to a new generation of performing artists.

Sophie McCudden

Performing Arts is always a wonderful way to express oneself. To grow in confidence, have fun and make friends along the way is certainly true, especially at my time as a former student at PQA. I have always performed in drama and musical theatre from a young age, taking part in various performances for shows such as Evita and Legally Blonde. Inspired by the modules taught at PQA, I went on to study Drama and Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia where I gained experience in performance and production roles, such as directing and choreography. I also wrote original scripts; one of which is going to be performed at a theatre festival. I cannot wait to give back to the Academy, inspiring students to expand in their skills and find their potential within Musical Theatre, Drama and Film and TV.