The School's proprietor is actress Stephanie Bishop who has worked in Theatre Television and Film, as well as co-writing and co-producing two feature films with John McCormack who assists Stephanie each week. He has written, produced and directed three feature films.

During the last six years Stephanie and John have cast and worked with great Theatre and Television actors such as Ricky Tomlinson, Anita Dobson, Stephen Pinder (from Brookside) and Martin Hancock (from Coronation Street) together with many other well known faces — and of course the school's founder Gill Taylor (Equity name Gill Jephcott) has worked alongside Stephanie and John on many occasions during this time.

The school is divided into three groups, Group 1 for ages 8 to 10, group 2 for 11 to 13 years and Group 3 for ages 14 to 16.

We concentrate on improving communication and interpersonal skills. Each workshop/lesson includes the exploration of awareness of other people’s needs, acquiring conversational skills and, of course, we make sure it is fun too!

During the terms it is very rewarding to see the development of many students, not just in their acting skills but in their self-confidence too. Each one and a half hour session allows students to interact in groups of between two and five and then to show their work to the rest of the group. We set the parameters for each role-play or improvisation and after each group has performed its work we make comments to the group or individuals to ensure each person is aware of how well they performed.

Each group works towards scripted work and all our lessons are designed to equip each group for theatre and television work. Group 3 takes part in ‘Acting for the Camera’ Workshops and are provided with a video of their collective work (parents have to sign a form to give permission for their children to take part in these Workshops).

At the end of the Summer Term parents will be invited to a performance of short showcases — similar to the way Casting Directors are invited to attend showcases organised by actor’s agents.

For further details, contact Stephanie Bishop directly.