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About Spotlights Theatre School

Classes in drama, dance and singing for children of all abilities and ages.

Our team is passionate about the performing arts and teaching. Each member of the team is an experienced specialist in their own particular discipline of acting, singing or dance.

Your childโ€™s safety is paramount and all of our staff are DBS (police) checked and at least one member of staff on site is first aid trained. Spotlights have a child protection policy devised in association with the schools that we work with. Any of our team will be delighted to answer any queries that you have about our performing arts training.

Why Choose Spotlights Performing Arts Classes

At Spotlights Theatre School, we believe in nurturing each childโ€™s potential while helping them develop valuable life skills through the magic of performing arts. Our drama classes, musical theatre classes, acting classes, and singing classes are designed to inspire creativity, confidence, and passion in every student, no matter their ability or age.

What sets Spotlights apart is our dedication to helping students build not only their performance skills but also essential traits like social skills and self-esteem. Through engaging, fun-filled sessions, children gain the confidence to step into the spotlightโ€”both on stage and in life. Many of our students go on to forge lifelong friendships, meet new friends, and experience the camaraderie of working together as a team.

Spotlights is more than just a school; itโ€™s a launchpad for ambitious young performers. For those dreaming of attending performing arts colleges or pursuing careers in acting, singing, or dancing, our classes are the perfect stepping stone. Our curriculum lays the foundation for future success, teaching students the discipline and passion required to thrive in the competitive world of performing arts.

With our expert team, dynamic teaching approach, and a commitment to making every session fun and fulfilling, Spotlights provides an unforgettable experience for students. Join us and watch your child shine as they discover their talents and take their first steps into the world of performance!ย 

 

Book Free Trialย 

Anti-bullying Alliance

Spotlights are proud to be members of the Anti-bullying Alliance since 2010. This membership ensures we stay informed on the key issues around bullying that affect schools and allows us to contribute best practices in tackling bullying.

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Our Team

Our team is passionate about performing arts and the benefits it can bring to children and their development. Find out more about our founders and teachers and their specialist disciplines!

 

Faye

Co-Director

Before setting up Spotlights with Al and Monnie, Faye studied drama at Manchester University and even shared a classroom Benedict Cumberbatch! Faye completed a post-graduate Diploma in Acting at Drama Studio London. Faye has worked professionally as an actress in theatre, film, television and voice over including performing plays in the West End and touring nationally.

Alongside acting Faye has always been passionate about teaching with many years experience working in primary, secondary and performing arts schools. Faye teaches the LAMDA exam syllabus at Spotlights and is proud of the consistent high grades Spotlights students have achieved. Faye has also worked with over 10,000 pupils in primary schools across the UK using drama role-play to tackle bullying through sister company โ€“ Anti-Bullying Workshop.

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Al

Co-Director

Al runs the Spotlights HQ office and handles everything behind the scenes from websites, accounts, marketing and logistics. He is always on site at the weekend to address any parentsโ€™ queries. Before setting up Spotlights with Faye and Monnie, Al worked in the oil industry as a Commercial Manager. Al has always had an interest in performing arts and in particular the technical challenges of putting on a show.

Al is an accomplished and creative photographer having trained with some of the best professionals in the business.

Al loves business books and improving Spotlights admin and software making life easier for parents to book classes.

Al’s favourite musical is Les Miserables as its the first one he watched live the West End. More recently he enjoyed Be More Chill and still has the track “Michael in the Bathroom” stuck in his head.

Monnie

Co-Director

Monnie started her performing arts training at the tender age of 2. Monnie has been teaching at Spotlights from day 1 setting up the school with Faye and Al. Her professional background has always been in TV & Media working for the likes of Nickelodeon, BSKYB, Disney Theatricals as Media Director across London agencies.

Monnie is now at Spotlights full time where she runs our successful Talent Agency and continues to teach both Little Stars and Main School Drama.

Monnie also has the not so envious task of costuming over 750 students (at the last count) every Stars 12&3 show term and can be found running around backstage armed with safety pins and hairspray.

Tasha

Drama Teacher

Tasha trained in Musical Theatre at ArtsEd London.

Her performing credits include Sophie in Mamma Mia! In the West End. Carousel at the Savoy Theatre and the original West End company of School of Rock where she was Swing and Dance Captain. Her film and TV credits include Mrs Henderson Presents and Call The Midwife.

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Wallis

Dance Teacher

Wallis is a professional dancer from Wales. She graduated from Addict Dance Academy in 2021 and since then has done a range of jobs within the industry.

She has been involved in Music videos, dancing for artists, west end workshops, game openings & judged dance competitions over the UK.

Wallis teaches at Base dance studio & Pineapple dance studio weekly whilst also teaching at Spotlights. She has been an extra in reality TV, documentaries, dramas on channel 4 and even a trial tester for Squid Games as seen on Netflix.

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Ellie

Singing, Little Stars & LAMDA Teacher

Ellie trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and holds a First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Musical Theatre

Professional Credits include Wicked Women of the West End at The Union Theatre, Bernsteinโ€™s Mass at The Royal Festival Hall.

Credits whilst training include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, Mrs Roach in Betty Blue Eyes, Sylvia in The Dreaming.

Growing up Ellie started playing cello, piano and singing and then moved into musical theatre at the age of 16! She Joined West End Musical theatre (WEMT) Sunday school and used to travel to London and back every Sunday to train. She played Elle Woods at West End Live for them when she was 18.
As a child I did all her exam grades to Grade 8 ABRSM classical singing before going to drama school.
Ellie is a very experienced teacher and she loves teaching at Spotlights because she loves the family environment. All of the kids are an absolute pleasure to teach, respectful, motivated and always smiling! She loves seeing the children develop from term to term and feels immense pride every time she sees them perform.
Ellie’s favourite shows are legally blonde, Memphis, Showboat, Wicked, Tick, Tickโ€ฆ Boom and anything Sondheim!!
Ellie’s inspirations are Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Jessie Mueller (favourite musical theatre voice maybe ever)

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Ellen

Little Stars & LAMDA Teacher

Ellen is an experienced teacher and trained at Laine Theatre Arts. She graduated in 2020 with a First Class Degree in Musical Theatre.

Ellen started dance from a young age and was invited to attend the Royal Ballet Junior Associates as a child. Ellen has completed LAMDA exams to Grade 8.

Ellen’s professional credits include commercial work such as featuring in adverts for Amazon Fresh, Matalan and BT.

Ellen has also featured in a TV series with Sheridan Smith.

Ellen also uses her talents as a social media brand ambassador for well know online brands.

At Spotlights Ellen likes to ensure that all children have the opportunity to improve their performance skills. Ellen likes to create a fun environment in class where kids can grow in confidence.

Ellen’s favourite musical is Follies and and other work by Stephen Sondheim.

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Emily

Little Stars Teacher

Emily is currently training at Bird College Conservatoire undertaking a BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre.

Before starting her degree, she performed in productions of We Will Rock You and Beauty and the Beast.

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Abbie

Dance Teacher

Abbie trained in performing arts at Italia Conti Arts Centre and Wilkes Academy.

She has performed in college shows such as Legally Blonde, Bring It On and Cats. She has been fortunate to have the opportunity to perform in front of Ant and Dec and Stephen Mulhern. Abbe has also performed in pantos as ensemble

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Erin

Little Stars Teacher

Erin is one of our own having trained in drama, dance and singing with Spotlights from the age of 7 to 16.ย 

Erin is a keen and accomplished dancer. She started ballet age 3 years old and has both RAD and ISTD dance qualifications. Erin has also trained in Modern style dance from age ย 7. Her current dance passion is tap.ย 

She loves watching the children develop their skills and seeing their confidence grow. Watching them enjoy performing as much as she did at their age brings her joy!ย 

Her favourite musicals include Singing in the Rain, Chicago and Hairspray. She also loves traditional ballets like Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Her favourite Disney movie is definitely tangled.ย 

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Jenna

Little Stars Teacher
Jenna is one of out Little Stars Teachers

 

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Tierney

Little Stars Assistant
Tierney trained with us at Spotlights up to the age of 18. She often got the lead roles. She has a stunning singing voice.
Alongside working at Spotlights, Tierney is training to be a primary school teacher.

 

Tierney loves working with our Little Stars and helping them prepare for their end of term shows.

Tierney loves all things Disney.

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Thalya

Little Stars Assistant
Thalya is one of out Little Stars Assistants

 

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Laura Howard

Patron

Laura is an actress and has worked extensively in television and theatre since she was in her early teens, most notably as the longstanding regular character Cully Barnaby in ITVโ€™s Midsomer Murders. She has appeared in recurring roles in Soldier Soldier (Central Television) and Young Dracula (CBBC), leading roles in Jack Rosenthal Screen One films (BBC) and short films for Brag Productions and RSA Films, as well as numerous guest appearances for the BBC and ITV. Laura’s theatre credits include productions at the Donmar Warehouse, Chichester Festival Theatre, Watford Palace and Liverpool Playhouse, and premiers of new writing at Theatre Royal Stratford East and HighTide Festival. She has also toured the UK in shows for The English Touring Theatre, Northern Stage, Touring Consortium and for Sir Alan Ayckbourn.

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Patti Clare

Patron

Whilst studying at Glasgow University way back in the last century Patti had an evening job at the internationally renowed Citizens Theatre in Glasgow. During her time there she was encouraged by the directors to train professionally as an actress so joined The Acting Company run by David Harris (Arts Ed Schools).Since then she has appeared in most of the major rep houses in the U.K plus Londons West End. Recently she has begun TV work with parts in Torchwood,Doctors and Young Dracula and can be currently seen in the world’s longest running TV drama Coronation Street where she plays series regular Mary Taylor. Patti is extremely proud and honoured to be a patron of Spotlights Theatre School.

Circle

The STAR System forms the structure of our classes.
The philosophy behind it is the key to our on-going success.

S

Self Confidence

Class sizes are kept to a maximum of 20. Your child will have the support and attention they need to grow as a performer each week. Your child will receive feedback and encouragement from teachers on a regular basis. This will boost their confidence and challenge them to develop their skills and techniques.

T

Teamwork

Your child will be encouraged to work as part of a team in their class. We will teach your child that as performers, working together brings out the best in each other. Your child will work in small groups to perform pieces for the rest of the class. For example, your child will devise their own choreography, learn to sing in harmony and create group improvisations.

A

Active Learning

Each week your child will take part in exercises designed to develop their coordination, flexibility, communication, vocal projection, stage presence and performance technique.

R

Realising Potential

Realising potential is where the STAR system all comes together. Your childโ€™s self-confidence builds through team work and active learning to develop skills for a spectacular performance.

Circle

This is the 6th year our daughter has been going to Spotlights and she has genuinely loved every minute! She started in little stars where, with Monnie's nurturing and expertise, her confidence grew! The termly productions were amazing, and every child got a chance to shine on the stage! I can't speak highly enough of the teaching team. Their Matilda production was simply amazing! Yet again every child was given an opportunity to shine! The show was extremely professional, and the kidsโ€™ faces said it all. They all loved it!

Renae

Orpington Parent

Contact us

If you have any queries please get in touch and one of our team will be happy to help. Our office hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 5.30pm and Saturday 9am to 5.30pm.

If you are an existing parent please remember our refer a friend scheme. For each child that you refer for a free trial that then joins Spotlights you will receive a ยฃ25 Amazon voucher.

 

Download Our Brochure

If you want to find out more about Spotlights download our brochure to get all the details!