SIMONE CASTLE - Principal L.I.S.T.D, A.I.D.T.A
Modern, Tap, Jazz, Ballet, Musical Theatre
Simone trained at Bird Theatre College. After completing her training she went to perform professionally on stage for several years, performing at almost all of the major UK theatres and overseas before turning her hand to teaching. Credits include - The Rocky Horror Show (National tour/London), The Butterfly Children (UK tour), Top of the Pops, Children in Need (BBC)…to name but a few.
Stagestruck Academy was formed by Simone in September 2001. Since then hundreds of her students have taken exams up to professional standard with 100% pass rate, as well as performing in numerous shows in Germany, Wales, France, West-end and local theatres. Many of her students have gone on to perform professionally in Films, Television & the West-End.
Simone is also resident choreographer for Take A Bow Productions, sometimes teaching up to 1,500 children at one time. She choreographed the Disneyland Paris Parade routine for Mardi Gras Promotions and her choreography has been performed in prestigious venues such as Royal Albert Hall, O2, Sadlers Wells Theatre and Her Majestys Theatre London as well as Germany, France & numerous local venues!!
Simone was also part of the creative team for the award winning Youth Theatre Performerz which holds the Guinness Book Of Records for World's Fastest Theatrical Production, and has provided students for I.S.T.D (Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance) demonstrations and classes throughout the U.K.
LEANDA SHELTON - A.I.S.T.D, A.I.D.T.A, DDI
Contemporary, Ballet, Commercial
Leanda began her training at the age of 2 years old and has competed in dance festivals and competitions all over England. At 16 she furthered her training at Performers Dance College, run by top choreographer Brian Rogers. Whilst at college she was Assistant Choreographer to Brian and choreographed fashion shows for TopShop, Next and other high street stores.
After leaving college Leanda performed with many pop artists such as Rozella and Sonique and performed in Pantomimes and Summer Seasons all over Great Britain. After several years of performing professionally, Leanda moved on to her first love-teaching, following in her parents footsteps, the founders of Elise School of Dance, Clacton. Specializing in boy’s work, her students have won The Janet Cram Award at Senior and Premier levels for the last 4 yars. She regularly teaches at The Company, Clacton and has guest taught at many summer schools. Her choreography credits include Top of the Pops, R&B/Pop showcases, Summer Seasons, Hair/Fashion shows and various variety performances.
JONATHAN EIØ - DCA, PGDip, DipRAM, EFP, LRAM, FLCM, FRSA
Musical Theatre, Singing
Jonathan is an experienced and very versatile singing and vocal technique tutor with experience in the entertainment business as a performer and in many top theatre schools and across the world as a teacher including Arts Educational School, Mountview Academy, East 15 Acting School and Urdang Academy to name a few.
Jonathan's teaching focuses primarily on achieving the best out of students vocally, physically and mentally, without losing their individuality and boosting confidence in his students.
Other notable skills are as a musician and songwriter who also has many stage accolades including Half A Sixpence, Spring Awakening and West Side Story.
Jonathan's teaching focuses primarily on achieving the best out of students vocally, physically and mentally, without losing their individuality and boosting confidence in his students.
Other notable skills are as a musician and songwriter who also has many stage accolades including Half A Sixpence, Spring Awakening and West Side Story.
KASSIE TIMOTHY-RAVENSCROFT - M.A (Applied Theatre)
Musical Theatre, Drama
Kassie is an experienced Drama Facilitator who holds an MA in Applied Theatre, which was gained during her training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Kassie specialises in theatre with children and marginalised communities. She has directed, produced and facilitated many performances in both London and Essex. Alongside creating theatre, Kassie has performed in various theatre in education productions touring London.
Kassie is dedicated to teaching and directing young people in the performing arts, where the amount of talent throughout Essex never ceases to amaze her.
JOELEY BISHOP - A.I.D.T.A, DDI
Modern, Tap, Jazz, Street, Acro.
Joeley started dancing at Stagestruck when the school opened in 2001 when she was just 8 years old. She took all of her I.S.T.D. Modern & Tap exams up to Advanced 2 level and left at the age of 18 to continue her studies at university.
After leaving university, Joeley returned to Stagestruck as a qualified teacher, Stage Manager & resident photographer.
Having performed in many productions with Stagestruck Academy and Youth theatre Performerz, Joeley has taken on several principal roles in shows, including Scaramouche in We Will Rock You, Musnik in Little Shop of Horrors, Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show, Angie in Our House and has performed in numerous theatres as a dancer including Sadlers Wells, Her Majesty's & Royal Albert Hall in London, as well as performing in Disneyland Paris, Biberach (Germany) & Valence (France). Joeley was also resident dance teacher at Youth Theatre Workshops at the Princes Theatre in Clacton-on-Sea for 7 years.
EVIE PERRYMAN - B.A Hons. (Musical Theatre)
Musical Theatre, Singing, Stage Management
Evie was a student at Stagestruck Academy for 14 years where she took part in many productions and took several leading roles including Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers, Nancy in Oliver and Becky in Waitress.
After leaving Stagestruck, Evie went on to continue her studies at the London College of Music, where she completed a BA Hons. degree in Musical Theatre.Whilst training, Evie developed a passion for teaching and Stage Management and is now a trained theatre technician, freelance stage manager and singing teacher.
ABBIE URSELL - student teacher
1st Stagers, Tap, Modern, Technical Jazz
Abbie has been a student at Stagestruck since she was 5 years old and has gained all her exams up to Advanced level in Modern, Tap and Ballet and has performed as a dancer and singer in many venues including Disneyland Paris, Indigo at the O2, Sadlers Wells and Stadhalle in Germany
As well as being our Headgirl here at Stagestruck, Abbie is currently studying to gain her full teaching qualifications and hopes to go on to examine and teach full-time in the future.
STUART ROUSE - DDI
(Guest teacher/Choreographer) Tap, Jazz, Modern
Stuart started dancing at Stagestruck Academy when he was eight years old. He then continued his training at the age of eighteen at Performers College in London where he gained his National Diploma in Dance Theatre and his teaching qualification.
Since leaving college, Stuart has had an extremely successful career in the Performing Arts industry. Credits include: Semi-finalist on Britain's Got Talent (Beat Brothers), Starlight Express (Germany), Save The Last Dance (UK tour), Puttin' On The Ritz (Monte Carlo & UK tour), X Factor (dancer), Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (UK tour), An Evening Of Dirty Dancing (UK tour). Stuart has also worked with numerous pop artists including Mika & Pixie Lott.
Stuart is currently performing in the UK tour of Wicked