Performing Arts Staff
- Centre Management Team
- Classical Music Staff
- Pop and Jazz Staff
- Music Technology Staff
- Performing Arts Staff
- Academic Support Staff
- Technical Support Staff
- Instrumental Staff
- Vocal Staff
CURRICULUM MANAGER: FURTHER EDUCATION
Ben Treacher
MA, BA (Hons), ACA, Cert Ed
Ben Treacher trained as an actor at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama before achieving an MA with Distinction in Contemporary Theatre Practice at the University of Essex where he trained with Mike Alfreds, Max Stafford-Clarke, Sam Kogan and Bobby Baker. He has wide teaching experience in both Further and Higher Education at Colchester Institute. His principal areas of expertise are acting technique and performance and in particular Stanislavsky-based systems of acting.
Rachel Chilver
BA (Hons)
Trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in Musical Theatre/Acting, Rachel has extensive experience in both directing and performing, and has participated in a variety of performances and workshops at the LaGuardia School NYC, and with director Mike Leigh. Performing credits include: Mary: Be My Baby (If… Productions), Debs: The Road to Glory (Chris Harding), Nina: The Seagull (MTC), Miss Gower: Trelawney of the Wells (Judi Dench Theatre), Lady Mcduff: Macbeth (Mountview Theatre), Louise: After the Fall (Cameron Mackintosh Studios), a television commercial for Pepsi Max (Planet 24 Studios) and numerous performances with the National Youth Theatre. Directing credits include Guiding Star (Class Act London), Fame (Arts College, Clacton), Once on this Island (Colchester Institute) and Loves Labours Lost (North Arts). In her final year of training Rachel was noted as ‘Critics choice’ –The Stage.
COURSE LEADER – FDA/BA MUSICAL THEATRE, NATIONAL DIPLOMA DANCE AND MUSICAL THEATRE
Andy Edwards
BA (Hons), PGCE
Andy trained in Performing Arts Dance at Middlesex University and at Brighton University. He has performed with ‘Vitamin G’ Dance Company, ‘28 Degrees Dance’ and continues to perform with ‘Base Dance Company’. Andy also co-runs a dance and media dance company X3 Collective. His specialist subjects are contemporary dance, physical theatre and approaches to choreography. His stage credits include the premiere of ‘Jack the Ripper the Musical’ (Cockpit Theatre, London) and, on television, Eisteddfod (S4C Wales), ‘Stonc a Roc’ video for Welsh schools and Hollyoaks (Mersey Television).
COURSE LEADER – BA/FdA IN TECHNICAL THEATRE
Andy Franks
Currently Production Manager at the Mercury Theatre, Andy Franks trained at Mountview Theatre school and graduated to work as a scenic carpenter, then master carpenter for the Redgrave Theatre in Farnham, Surrey. Andy has also worked in Manchester, Worcester, Nottingham and London as a freelance scenic carpenter. Andy returned to Mountview Theatre school as their Head of Construction teaching technical skills and scenic carpentry. Andy left theatre for a couple of years to pursue a commercial career in theme parks producing scenery and special effects for many tourist attractions over the UK and Europe.
James Jarrett
MA, BA (Hons), PGCE
James comes from Colchester and holds degrees in performance, media and theatre from De Montfort and Essex universities. He received his PGCE from Cardiff University in 2002. James has worked as a professional actor in theatre (touring), film and television and has taught drama at schools and colleges across London and the south east. James has directed numerous shows and project over the past three years at Colchester Institute. James is currently working as a performer with the Father Hen theatre company and is developing a PhD thesis entitled ‘Constructing Desire: Pinter, Plays and the Architecture of Fantasy.’
COURSE LEADER – NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN PERFORMING ARTS (PERFORMANCE)
Stella Payne
MA
Stella trained as an actor at Guildford School of Acting and has an MA with Distinction in Contemporary Theatre Practice from Essex University. Her main area of academic interest is Artaudian practice in approaches to text and devised material. As a director she is engaged in performance research with Father Hen theatre company. She teaches on a wide range of courses at both FE and HE level at Colchester Institute.
LECTURER IN DANCE
Gemma Annis
MADD, ISTD
Gemma graduated from the Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama in July 2005. She has performed in the Academy's annual showcases at the Palace Theatre, Mansfield, combining that with major I.S.T.D ballet and modern theatre examinations and has recently performed at the Criterion Theatre, Piccadilly. In September 2005 Gemma commenced her first professional engagement performing as "Wendy" in the touring production of "Peter Pan" following that with a nationwide tour where she played the part of "Lucy" in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe". Gemma has just returned from another four month tour where she played principal girl Lt. Flare in the space age musical production "Kosmic Krew". When Gemma is not performing she teaches at Colchester Institute and at the Jacqueline Annis School of Dance. Gemma is currently working towards her PGCE.
LECTURER IN MUSICAL THEATRE
John Goodfellow
BA, BA (Teaching), DipRAM
John trained in musical theatre at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, at the University of New England, Australia and the Royal Academy of Music, London. He has worked as actor, singer, director, musical director and voice coach for the last eight years in both Australia and the UK.
LECTURER IN MUSICAL THEATRE
Spike Grimsey
Training: Arts Education Schools, London
Spike's theatre credits include Emcee in 'Cabaret', Archibald Craven in 'The Secret Garden', Doc in 'West Side Story' and Daniel Ovington in 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'. During his time at Arts Ed, Spike created and played the role of Gregory Reed in the world premiere of the musical 'Club Tropicana'. Other theatre credits include 'Les Misérables' at the Queen's Theatre Swing cover Grantaire/Bishop of Digne, 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' (national tour) in which he played the role of Gad and cover Butler. Spike then moved in to the West End with 'Joseph' where he played the roles of the Frenchman and Zebulin. Other work includes Pestotute commercial with Jamie Oliver, The passions of Girls Aloud (ITV), H-Side story (C4), a televsion commercial for Vodafone, Horse of the Year Show (London), The Queen's Golden Jubilee (BBC), West End Celebrations (Palace Theatre) and The Harry Potter book launch (Royal Albert Hall). Recordings: Les Miserables 21st anniversary concert (Radio 2).
LECTURER IN DANCE
Carly Head
BA (Hons)
Carly Trained at Middlesex University on a three year dance performance degree and then went on to dance in Cyprus as part of a show team touring the islands hotels, before coming home to study a PGCE at Greenwich University.
Robert Miles
BA (Hons)
Robert works as a composer, musical director and vocal coach in all areas of musical theatre. His work as a musical director has included a diverse range of styles from musical theatre to classical oratorio. In addition, he has worked as a cabaret performer in a number of theatres and clubs. He has worked with both adults and young performers as musical director and regularly leading vocal workshops. He works freelance as a vocal coach, specialising in the development of repertoire and integration of acting and singing. As a freelance composer, he has written original material for Sky Television, BBC Radio and Paramount Comedy in addition to many vocal arrangements for repertory theatre companies. He is a lecturer at Colchester Institute specialising in Voice Craft and Contemporary Musical Theatre Contextual Studies.
LECTURER IN PERFORMING ARTS
Matthew Stevens
BA, Foundation Course
Matthew trained at East 15 Acting School and his performances include: Hans, Only The Brave (Edinburgh Fringe 08), Various, Flossing With Fishnets (Kings Head), Pride, Faustus (Headlong Theatre), Buckingham, Richard III (Relentless Theatre).Matthew enjoys working with actors who can ‘play’ in a truly Lecoquian way.
CURRICULUM MANAGER: OPERATION AND PROJECTS
Phil Toms
MSc, BA (Hons), ALCM, QTS
Phil Toms is an active musician in the area, specialising in double bass, piano and keyboards. His musical interests bridge the gap between classical, jazz, music theatre and popular music. Phil has a strong background in music technology and, having spent the past ten years teaching in primary and secondary schools, he is currently lecturing on music in education and musical theatre. He is developing community outreach projects, such as the Clacton Music Centre and is the department webmaster. In 2004 Phil was awarded the Leader of the Year Award for Outstanding Service to Youth by the Jack Petchey Foundation.
