Midlands Academy of Dance & Drama – Est. 1967

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MEET THE MADD TEAM

Here at MADD College we are exemely proud of the diverse, knowledgebale and experienced team we have that are albe to serve you and prepare you for all elements of persuning a career in the Performing Arts Industry.

FRANCES Clayton

PRINCIPAL
& FOUNDER

Edward Nudd

COURSE COORDINATOR
& METHOD ACTING TUTOR

EMMA CLAYTON

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

PETER PARKER

HEAD OF
BALLET

RICHARD LAING

ACTING
TUTOR

MARK WEBB

DANCE
DEPARTMENT

MARK HEDGES

MUSICAL THEATRE &
ACTING DEPARTMENTS

SHANNON PARKER

BALLET
DEPARTMENT

DAVID BURROWS

HEAD OF
ACTING

STUART ARNOLD

ACTING
DEPARTMENT

Ryan Lee Seager

MUSICAL THEATRE &
JAZZ DANCE TUTOR

Colin Lang

HEAD OF
DANCE

sue sparham

DANCE
TUTOR

Kelvin Towse

HEAD OF 
MUSIC

Jonny Fines

MUSICAL THEATRE
TUTOR

Martyn Tite

SINGING
TUTOR

John Morton

MUSIC
TUTOR

Katie Bagshaw

BALLET
TUTOR

Steve Pritchett

HEAD OF 
MUSIC

Steven Harris

MUSICAL THEATRE &
JAZZ DANCE TUTOR

Shaun McLaughlin

BALLET TUTOR

James Doubtfire

TAP DANCE
TUTOR

Adam Booth

MUSICAL THEATRE
& ACTING TUTOR

Abby Wells

CONTEXTUAL & STUDENT
SUPPORT TUTOR

Frances Clayton

PRINCIPAL & FOUNDER​

Principal and Founder of the Midlands Academy of Dance & Drama in 1967 and in 1988 developed the first Professional Musical Theatre/Dance College (MADD) outside of London with the aid of talented industry professionals. A Fellow and Examiner in the IDTA Theatre Faculties, but also a highly qualified teacher in Latin, Ballroom Sequence and Freestyle, Frances is also a Life Member of the IDTA, ISTD and NATD. For services to dance Frances was awarded the prestigious Carl Alan Theatre Lifetime Achievement Award and Le Classique de Danse Professional Theatre Award in 2011. Frances is also proud to be a member of the Board of Directors of the International Dance Teachers Association and continues to nurture the love of dance and performance in children and students giving them the opportunity and belief to realise their dreams.

Edward NudD

COURSE COORDINATOR & ACTING

Edward is a professional actor and has quite a varied career across Film, Television, Theatre and Voice Overs. He started off by joining the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain when he was just 11 years old and then added the National Youth Music Theatre to his credits when he was 13. In Theatre, he has appeared in shows both Nationally and in London’s West End. He has also appeared in several movies and presents on behalf of many blue chip clients both here and abroad. Edward is also an accomplished Voice Over artiste and has lent his voice to some of the biggest global brands and TV stations both at home and Internationally. He can be heard regularly on Sky Broadcasting providing Audio Description. Amidst working and lecturing professionally he also a proficient theatre producer. Edward lectures in Acting the Uta Hagen technique and informing Performing Artists how to ‘Make ‘The Business’ Your Business’.

Emma Clayton

Creative Director

Emma’s acting film credits include: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, The Devil Outside, Traveller & Handle with Care.

Theatre credits: Mrs Crew ‘The Dancing Club’ UK tour, Laura in ‘I’ll Be Back Before Midnight’ (Nottingham), Mummy ‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea’ (Hull New Theatre), Mrs Fox ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’ (Open Air Theatre, Regents Park), Witch in ‘Macbeth’ (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park), Head Sheep ‘Babe – The Sheep Pig’ (Open Air Theatre, Regents Park), Blackberry in ‘Watership Down’ (Redgrave Theatre, Farnham), Ghostie in ‘A Step in Time’ (Redgrave Theatre, Farnham), Fairy G in ‘Cinderella’ (The Madinat, Dubai), The Cat in Pinnochio (Eden Court Theatre, Inverness), Slave of the Ring in ‘Aladdin’ (Eden Court Theatre, Inverness), The Witch in ‘Hansel & Gretel’ (London), Fairy Dulcimer in ‘Dick Whittington’ (Empire Theatre, Liverpool), Improv Player in the improv show ‘Dr Comedy’s Side Split Surgery’ (Edinburgh Festival & UK Tour), Nurse/Waitress in ‘The Witches’ (UK Tour), Dilly in ‘The Shagaround’ (Mac Theatre, Birmingham), Those Magical Musicals (Toronto, Canada)

As a Director: Aladdin (Eden Court Theatre, Inverness), I’ll Be Back Before Midnight (Nottingham).
As Associate director: The Witches (UK Tour & West End with Ruby Wax).
As Resident director: General Motors National Tour (Canada)
As Children’s Director: Babe The Sheep Pig (UK Tour & Open Air Theatre, Regents Park), The Worst Witch (UK Tour) and Fantastic Mr Fox (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park).

Emma is currently Assistant Director/Choreographer on ‘The Tiger Who Came To Tea’ (West End, UK & International Tour).
Other choreographic credits include: Aliens love Underpants (West End & UK Tour), Monstersaurus (UK & International Tour), Stuck (UK Tour), The Way Back Home (UK & Kids Fest), What Flows Past The Baltic (Nottingham Playhouse), Hansel & Gretel (London), Guess How Much I Love You (UK & Middle East Tour), Micky Spatz (The Arcola, London), Don’t Let The Pigeon Stay Up Late (USA & UK Tour), Fantastic Mr Fox (Open Air Theatre, Regents Park), The Night Before Xmas (UK Xmas Tour), Celebrations (Old Vic, London), God Knows (Riverside Studios, Hammersmith), Santa Claus (USA & UK Tour).

In 2016 Emma was nominated for a Carl Alan Award for choreography in theatre.

PETER PARKER

HEAD OF BALLET DEPARTMENT

Peter Parker trained at the Central School of Ballet under Christopher Gable, from here he graduated into Northern Ballet Theatre again under the directorship of Mr. Gable.
From 1988-1994 he danced in all of the companies repertoire including Coppelia, Don Quixote, Memoir Imaginare and Strange Meeting by Michael Pink, Simple Man, Lipizzaner and The Bronte’s by Gillian Lynn. D’ensemble by Graham Lustig and Extenzions by Derek Williams. As principle of the company other roles included Albrecht from Giselle, Siegfried in Swan Lake, Romeo in Romeo and Juliet, the Prince in Cinderella, La Corsaire pas de deux and the Grand pas de deux from Don Quixote.

In 1994 Peter moved to France and danced as principle dancer with Ballet Du Rhin. This gave him the opportunity to dance a large variation of neo classical repertoire such as Stool Games by Kylian, Step Text by William Forsythe, Dance, Chamber Symphony and Mandarin by Lucinda Childs, Voluntaries by Tetley, Grosse Fuge by Hans Van Manen and Worchek by Davide Bombana, Green Table, Pavanne Pour Un Enfant and Grand Ville by Kurt Josse to name a few. The company also performed many traditional ballets such as Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Nutcracker, La Sylphide and La Fille Mal Garde all of which Peter danced principle roles.

Guesting performances have included Nutcracker Pas de deux for Nevada Ballet with his wife Shannon, the Rite of Spring with Ballet Bejart.
Peter also created three pieces for Ballet Du Rhin (Bird in the Hand, Bitter Harvest and Memoir Perdu with his wife).

Peter has taught at the Northern Ballet School and Kate Simmons School, Derby Academy as guest teacher and is invited to be a guest teacher at international summer schools.



In 2010 he created a new full length Nutcracker for Manchester City Ballet in collaboration with his wife.

In 2014 Peter and his wife Shannon were finalists on Sky’s Got to Dance,  performing under the name of Bitter Harvest. 



2016 was also a milestone year as “Shannon and Peter ” were the first couple to take ballet to the final of Britain’s Got Talent. 

Peter and his wife run their own associate program Midlands Associates and are co-directors of OPES International classical summer school. 



Peter teaches at MADD college Nottingham and is head of ballet , 
EPA Mansfield, York Scholars, Staples academy and is a renowned international guest teacher.

Richard Laing

ACTING TUTOR

Richard has worked as an actor for over 30 years. He has an exciting and prolific career in Film and Television, appearing in many high profile productions such as HBO’s Game Of Thrones, The Batman Trilogy, Netflix’s -The Last Czars, HBO’s ‘Industry’ and many others.

His Theatre work has seen him working with some of the country’s best talent and he has appeared in many West End Theatre productions.

As a voice-over artist, he has an international reputation.

Teaching and Coaching is his passion. He has taught Voice and Communication skills and Camera Technique across the UK and even as far as India.

He believes the key to outstanding communication, lies in self-awareness and honesty and encourages his students and clients to challenge their beliefs and embrace change; so that they can authentically own the space they inhabit and hold any room with grace, confidence, passion and presence.

MARK WEBB

Dance TUTOR

Mark is one of the most sought after dancers of his generation.  Over the last 25 years, he has had the pleasure of performing and touring with over 32 pop tours alongside top musical artists such as Destiny’s Child, Take That , Blue, Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Steps, Girls Aloud, Lionel Richie, Spice Girls, Boyzone, Diana Ross and Cher.

Mark continually works within the industry working with Mass Movement, one of the biggest agencies in the country on events around the world such as hair, fashion, sporting events and TV shows.

As a Choreographer, Mark continues to push the next generation of students with his knowledge of the industry, work ethic and passion.

MArk Hedges

Musical Theatre & Acting Tutor

Mark Hedges is currently Resident Director on The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre, West End and Children’s Director on Les Misérables UK Tour.

Children’s Director:
Mary Poppins (UK Tour); Oliver! (UK Tour); The Bodyguard (UK Tour); The Sound of Music (International Tour); Les Miserables (Queens Theatre).
Director:
The Clockmakers Daughter (Cadogan Hall, London; The Wiz (People’s Theatre); Sunshine On Leith (Northern Stage); Tis The Season (Jermyn Street Theatre).
Choreographer:
Redhead (Bridewell Theatre); Jason and the Argonauts (Swiss Arts Festival); Willy Wonka (Ductac Theatre, Dubai); Macbeth-Shakespeare for Kidz (UK & UAE Tour); Celebrate Christmas (Royal Albert Hall); Applause (The Bridewell Theatre); Three Phantoms (UK Tour); Stepping Out (Union Theatre); Beauty and The Beast (Harlequin Theatre).
Performing Credits:
Les Miserables – West End, Starlight Express – West End & International Tour, High Society – West End, Jerry Springer The Opera – West End, The Lion, The Witche and the Wardrobe – West Yorkshire Playhouse.

Shannon Parker

Ballet Tutor

Shannon Parker was Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre, Ballet Du Rhin.

She has danced all major roles extending from full length Classical, Neo Classical and Contemporary works from the best BALANCHINE- FORSYTHE- ROBBINS- BINTLEY- TOMASSON- CHRISTENSEN- TETLEY- D’ATT- TAYLOR – BRUCE

Shannon was a runner up on Sky’s Got To Dance 2013- Being the only classical act to reach that level. As well as a the she was a finalist and judges Wild Card on Britains Got Talent 2016, again being the only classical act to be on the show .

Shannon is currently performing with Chantry Dance Company, teaching and choreographing for various Schools Companies and Workshops. As well as performing for corporate events, festivals around the World.
Shannon recently starred in a short film ‘ In the Limelight’ with her husband Gordon Stevens.

David Burrows

Head of Acting Tutor

Directing:
‘Aladdin’ 2019/20 at the New Theatre, Hull.
‘Beauty and the Beast’ 2018/19.
‘Snow White’, 2017/18 at the New Theatre Cardiff.
‘Peter Pan’ Wolverhampton Grand, 2015/16.
‘Aladdin’ 2013/14, ‘The Chuckles of Oz’ in 2014/15, Civic Theatre Darlington.
‘Aladdin’, 2012/13, Orchard Theatre Dartford, all for Qdos Entertainment.

David was resident Director on ‘All the Fun of the Fair’ national tour. David has written, produced and directed Pantomime all over the UK.

Acting:
Archie Rice in John Osborn’s play ‘The Entertainer’, “Absent Friends”, ‘The Sociable Plover’, Sarah Thorne Theatre, Broadstairs, (2019)
“An Officer and a Gentleman” (2018)
‘Curve’ Leicester.
‘Half a Sixpence’ (2017), Noel Coward Theatre, London, ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’ (2016), Regent’s Park Open air Theatre.
‘My Fair Lady’ at the National Theatre/London Drury Lane.
‘Oliver’, London Palladium, International tour.
‘Les Miserable’, Palace Theatre, London.
‘All the Fun of the Fair; National tour.
‘Inherit the Wind’, Old Vic.

Stuart Avon Arnold

Dance Tutor

Stewart was one of the foremost black Jazz and Lyrical artists of his generation and the original pioneer of Lyrical Contemporary Jazz in the UK, developing the genre from as early as 1979 to the present day and co founding the first jazz company in the UK called Jazz Theatre London (1980). Trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance, his dancing heritage originates with the Martha Graham technique, with the likes of Bob Cohen, William Luther, Jane Dudley and Anthony Van Laast as his teacher/mentors that have been his springboard from which he has developed his unique style and genre, consequently becoming one of our most acclaimed and sought after International Dancer Teacher and Choreographer. For many years Stewart has been constantly involved in a variety of top West End shows, including Wayne Sleep’s ‘Song and Dance’ as a soloist dancer. He was guest choreographer for Wayne Sleep’s dance company ‘Dash’ and danced/guest choreographed for the award winning BBC tv series “The Hot Shoe Show”, joint- choreographer on ‘The Wiz’ at the Hammersmith Lyric Theatre, and featured as a soloist dancer in Johnny Depp’s film ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Choreographing Pop promo’s for artists such as David Grant, Elton John, Kid Creole, and working exclusively with Kate Bush over the last 30 years. He also had his own dance series on Channel 4, along with Claude-Paul Henry, called ‘Streets Ahead’, and toured Europe along with Anthony Van Laast and Claude-Paul with their own Dance Company called ‘Souls in Motion’ and took his own concept musical ‘Dancing and Singing the Blues’ on the same European circuit directing as well as choreographing the show.

Ryan Lee Seager

Musical Theatre & Jazz Tutor

Ryan-Lee Seager Actor/Director/Choreographer 

West End/Tour/International musicals include Fame, Blood Brothers, Rent, West Side Story, Guys and Dolls, Kiss Me Kate, Seussical, American Idiot, We Will Rock You, The Wedding Singer, Rock Of Ages, Sweeney Todd, Here Come The Boys ( Strictly Come Dancing) and also  27, Streets, Another Way all brand new british musicals. Rock Of Ages (Uk Tour) Resident Director/Resident Choreographer.  Fame (Uk Tour/West End) Associate Choreographer. 

TV credits include The Xfactor, Strictly Come Dancing, The Royal Variety Performance, Bo Selecta.
Tv Commercials Vision Express and We Buy Any Car.

Music Artists- Justin Bieber, Pixie Lott, Beverly knight, Paulo Nutini, Olivia Somerlyn, Kingsland Road, Anastacia.

Colin Lang

Head of Dance Tutor

Colin has been associated with the entertainment profession since leaving school – his career encompassing all aspects of the industry from Opera to Film & Television, Cabaret to Musical Theatre, Summer Seasons, Tradeshows and Pantomimes.

During his time as a performer he worked with numerous industry icons including Alan Harding, Gillian Gregory, Carole Todd, Peter Van der Sloot, Ray Cornell and Anthony Johns, amongst others.

He has choreographed and restaged numerous productions including 11 Pantomimes, 2 Royal Galas, 2 Shirley Bassey Dinner/Cabaret Concerts, Pleasure Island and Flamingo Land Theme Park Shows and Thomson Sun (Tui).

Personal highlights include choreographing the 2004 West End production of “Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs” starring Lily Savage, and receiving The Carl Alan Award for Professional Services to Dance 2003.

Recently he was appointed as MADD’s new Head of Dance and is enjoying the challenges the role throws in his direction.

Sue Sparham

Dance tutor

Sue Specialises in Lyrical and Commercial Jazz. She has worked extensively in Theatre, Film and TV, with credits including Featured Dancer in Jhoom Baraber Jhoom (Yash Raj Productions),  dancer in several Music Videos, Singer in The Conmitments (UK Theatre Tour), The Sensations (UK Theatre Tour),  Guest Entertainer for P&O Cruises, and corporate events for BMW, Marriot Hotels, Hilton, Trent FM, Disneyland and Palm Beach Casino, Cannes. 

Choreography includes: Encore (Sadlers Wells Theatre), Pointe Break with Ballet Theatre UK (UK Tour) and several productions for MADD including The Criterion Theatre, Bloomsbury Theatre and Move It.  This year, Sue’s choreography has won several national awards and competitions.

Jonny Fines

Musical Theatre Tutor

Jonny graduated from the Guildford School of Acting 2010. Before finishing his third year Jonny was cast as ‘Rolf’ in the UK Tour of ‘The Sound of Music’. Notably Jonny played ‘Zack Mayo’ in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ UK Tour, ‘Rooster’ in Annie (UK Tour/Piccadilly Theatre, London) playing opposite Miranda Hart and ‘Johnny’ in the first major stage adaptation of Hanif Kureshi’s Oscar nominated screenplay ‘My Beautiful Laundrette’.  Jonny has Just finished filming as ‘Officer Turley’ in ‘Hollyoaks’ for Channel 4. Over the Summer Jonny has been workshopping the role of Prince Charming for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new Musical, ‘Cinderella’, which opens on the West End in September. Currently, Jonny is rehearsing to play the role of ‘Glen Gulia’ in ‘The Wedding Singer’ Which opens at The Troubador Theatre in the West End, January 30th.

Other credits include; ‘Kenickie’ in ‘Grease’ Leicester Curve/Dubai; ‘Man1’ in I Love You, You’re Perfect…Now Change! The Union Theatre London; Avenue Q, UK Tour; Rock of Ages, UK Tour; Originated the role of ‘Gabriel’ in the world premiere of ‘Lift’ at the SohoTheatre, London; ‘Mono’ in ‘Carnival of The Animals’ at Riverside Studios, London; ‘Mark’ in the UK Premiere of ‘Altar Boyz’ at the Greenwich Theatre, London. 

Martyn Tite

Singing Tutor

Martyn has performed on many radio and studio sessions, and has worked as a musical director and has also worked extensively with many famous names including The Supremes, Bob Monkhouse, The Dallas Boys, Joe Pasquale, Frankie Howard and Ray Lewis and the Drifters to name just a few. 

Over the duration of his career, Martyn has accumulated a wealth of experience in both the performing and teaching of music, in areas ranging from private tuition through to classroom teaching and lecturing at University in vocal coaching, improvisation and musical performance.

Martyn continues to perform to this day, in a variety of ensembles ranging from Soul and Motown, Musical Theatre to Jazz and opera.

Martyn also regularly records demos for artistes requiring promotional material, and original compositions, for record companies.

John Morton

Music Tutor

John is a graduate of Leeds College of Music. He has conducted National and International productions of Annie, Copa Cabana, The Best of Broadway, Phantom of the Opera, Kat and the Kings and Chicago and has also been Musical Director on Underneath the Arches, Curse of the Werewolf, They’re Playing Our Song and the West End Production of Rat Pack Confidential. In regional theatres he has been Musical Director of musicals including West Side Story, Singing in the Rain, Legally Blonde and Thoroughly Modern Millie. He has been music director for 30 of the Playhouse’s Pantomimes and he was the featured pianist on BBC Tv’s The Magic of Musicals. His arrangements are heard around the world.

Katie Bagshaw

Ballet Tutor

Katie started dancing aged 3 years old. She went on to gain a place at The Royal Ballet School age 11 and later completed her training at Elmhurst Ballet School where she graduated and gained a Level 6 Trinity Diploma in Dance age 19.

Throughout her time at vocational school she danced at The Royal Opera House in The Royal Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker, La Sylphide and Swan Lake.

Katie began working at the youth company Midland Theatre Ballet in 2013, and after finding her love for teaching she now works full time at The Lisayne Ballet School where she trains The Royal Academy of Dance syllabi to a variety of different age groups.

She is thrilled to be part of the MADD family over the Spring term!

Steven Pritchett

Singing Tutor

Steve studied at Bretton Hall and was awarded an honours degree in contemporary music from the University of Leeds before making the move to live and work in London. Steve has worked as a musical director and vocal/repertoire coach at many of the Countries leading theatrical training centres – these include: Arts Ed, Mountview, The Guildford School of Acting, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Italia Conti, Bird College, Elmhurst, The Sylvia Young Theatre School, The Royal Academy of Dance, The Urdang Academy, and of course The Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama.

Steve frequently works alongside, and accompanies, Miss Kerry Ellis – the First Lady of British Musical Theatre (both UK tours). He has organised and musically directed many professional workshops for the likes of Maria Friedman, Stephen Mear, Andrew Wright, Kerry Ellis, Ria Jones, Julie Atherton, and Shona Lindsay ….. amongst others.

Professional theatrical credits include Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (Dominion), Dirty Dancing (UK tour), projects with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (Royal Festival Hall). Steve has most recently been the musical supervisor of the National production of Fame in Italy. 

Steve has delivered workshops/been involved in shows for the All England Dance organisation (Molly Lake Awards), the IDTA, A Chance to Dance Southern Schools Celebration, and enjoyed musically directing the final two pantomimes at Derby Playhouse (home City). 

He currently coaches many students and West End professionals …. and is kept very busy with his four kids! 

Steven Harris

Musical Theatre & Dance Tutor

Steven has worked along side TV Choreographer Sammy Murray filming the new ITV Drama called Sanditon which aired in Autumn 2019. Other work working along side Choreographer Sammy Murray Season 2 & 3 of Victoria ITV and Endeavour ITV.

Choreography Credits include Chess Co-Director/ Choreographer (Union Theatre and Offies Nominee for Best Choreographer 2014) Laughing Matters for Celia Imrie ( St James Theatre London, Crazy Coqs), My Favourite Year (The Bridewell), The Sound of Music (KLCC Kuala Lumpur), Kruimeltje) (Netherlands Tour) Evita (Netherlands Tour, Stage Entertainment), My Fair Lady (Netherlands Tour, Stage Entertainment),I Do I Do (The English Speaking Theatre, Vienna), With A Song In My Heart (Salisbury Playhouse), The Musical of Musicals The Musical (Sound Theatre and Kings Head Theatre London), Blue Birds (Cochrane Theatre London) It’s Christmas Carol (Hen and Chickens Theatre London), Singin In The Rain (The Courtyard, Hereford), Mack and Mabel (Broadway Theatre Catford).  

Plays Staged: 

Twelfth Night Oxford Shakespeare Company (The Gardens of Wadham College Oxford Director Nicholas Green Composition Nicholas Lloyd Webber,) Left Hand Third Finger (Trafalgar Studios London, Director Ian Talbot) Alison! A Rock Opera (Royal Court London, Rough Cuts Season 2012, Director Nick Bagnall). 

Associate Credits 

Associate Choreographer for Victoria (ITV) Endeavour (ITV), Stephen Ward (Aldwych Theatre, London Choreographer Stephen Mear, Director Richard Eyre)

Choreography Credits in the UK include:  

First Lady Suite, 9 to 5, Steel Pier, Pal Joey, A Winters Tale by Howard Goodall, Side Show, Grand Hotel, Sweet Charity, Spring Awakenings, Carousel, A Man of No Importance, Little Shop of Horrors, Oliver, Oklahoma! Bye Bye Birdie, She Loves Me, Barnum, Guys and Dolls, The Pyjama Game, Music Man, Fiorello, Babes in Arms, Wild Party and Jason and the Argonauts.  

Qdos Pantomimes

Aladdin (Assembly Rooms Tunbridge Wells), Jack and The Beansatalk (Theatre Royal Nottingham), Dick Whittington (Venue Cymru Llandudno), Cinderella ( Swan High Wycombe), Jack and The Beanstalk (Grand Theatre Wolverhampton), Chuckles In OZ (Civic Darlington), Peter Pan (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre), Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs (Cardiff New Victoria Theatre), Beauty & The Beast ( Cardiff New Victoria Theatre)

Shaun McLaughlin

Ballet Tutor

Shaun Alexander McLaughlin National Diploma Professional Dance, DDE Cecchetti Ballet

Shaun trained at The Dance School of Scotland before furthering his training at Elmhurst Ballet School under the direction of Desmond Kelly and Errol Pickford. 

Shaun danced with Birmingham Royal Ballet as an Artist performing across the UK and on international tours to Japan.

He joined The Croatian National Ballet as a soloist dancer and danced Principal roles in The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo & Juliet and many modern works by choreographers such as Duato, Kylian, Savkovic, Bintley and Cranko.

Shaun is a faculty member at Kate Simmons Dance, London Studio Centre and Malvern Ballet Seminars. He has also taught many companies throughout Europe including Croatian National Ballet, Serbian National ballet and Macedonian National Ballet.

James Doubtfire

Tap Dance Tutor

James has been touring the world with Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs for the past 20 years as a performer and Assistant Director . He was also Assistant Director of The London West End production of Tap Dogs, staring Adam Garcia. In 2000 James worked on the opening ceremony of The Sydney 2000 Olympics.

James has performed in many television shows including Big Brother, The Royal Variety Performance, The National Lottery, This Morning, Blue Peter and GMTV.

Since 2009 James has become Artistic Director and Choreographer for Tap Attack (England tap team). During this time James has Choreographed 16 IDO World Tap titles.

James is also Choreographer & Director of Extreme Tap. This is an all male tap company who have performed in many corporate events at 02 Arena London. Extreme Tap have also performed in Boston USA.

In 2016 James was honoured to become the original Tap Choreographer for Disney’s new show Mickey & The Magician in Disneyland Paris.

Adam Booth

Musical Theatre & Acting Tutor

Adam is a high energised teacher and is passionate about inspiring students to reach their personal goals. With his vast experience in Musical Theatre and Television the students get an insight into the business and the preparation required to succeed in their professional career. His Theatre credits include ‘Mamma Mia’, ‘West Side Story’, ‘Chicago’, ‘Footloose’, ‘Betty Blue Eyes’, ‘Copacabana’ and ‘Never Forget’ to mention a few. Adam has worked intensively in comedy filming several comedy series for ITV and the BBC working with names such as Leigh Francis, Paddy Mcguiness, Jonny Vegas, David Jason, Emilia Fox, Jessica Hynes and Larry Lamb. As well as this Adam has worked on a number of television Dramas. His credits include ‘The Bay’, ‘The Keith and Paddy Picture Show’, ‘Home From Home’, ‘The Keith Lemon Sketch Show’, ‘Coronation Street’, ‘Where the Heart is’, ‘Doctors’, ‘Hollyoaks’, ‘Lemon La Vida Loca’ and ‘Coming in America’.

Abby Wells

CONTEXTUAL & STUDENT SUPPORT TUTOR

Musical theatre has always been a major part of Abby’s life from a young age. 

After studying contemporary dance at York St John University, Abby wanted to take her passion for performance down a different path and so decided to pursue a postgraduate MSc in Dance Science at University of Wolverhampton. Studying the health and wellbeing of dancers put her further in touch with her fascination with the human body, so she followed her MSc with a BTEC Level 5 in Sport and Remedial Massage Therapy and continues to treat a diverse range of clients, including professional athletes, musicians, actors and dancers.

Providing MADD students with tuition in maintaining health as performing artists has been just one of the roles Abby takes on at the college. She also provides safeguarding support alongside student welfare for MADD.  

In her free time she is a member of Carlton Operatic Society and Nottingham Operatic Society, taking ensemble and leading roles in their productions, including Dale Tremont in Top Hat, Lottie Ames in Mack and Mabel, Marty in Grease and Maria Rainer in The Sound of Music.

Choreographic credits include Peter Schaffer’s Equus (Nottingham Lace Market Theatre) and Carlton Operatic’s Shrek: The Musical (Nottingham Theatre Royal). 

Kelvin Towse

Head of MUSIC

With over 30 years’ experience in music, working extensively throughout the UK, Kelvin has gained a First-class reputation for his musical direction, musical arrangements and composition.

He has been Musical Director for several major shows which have toured the UK’s number one theatres including Bill Kenwrights Blood Brothers, The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Whistle Down The Wind, as well as writing music for Derby Playhouse productions including Dracula, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Merlin and the Winter King and Arabian Nights. He has also written for BBC’s Panorama and Channel 4 TV’s Dispatches and continues to write for Theatre and Film.
Most recently he was Musical Supervisor for the Derby Theatre & Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch production of One Man Two Guvnors and is a regular Musical Director for Qdos Entertainment.