I fell in love with the theatre at an early age and coming from a musical family knew instantly this would be the life for me. At the age if 18 I moved to London to study at The University of Surrey, Roehampton.

University was really the place I found my passion for Directing as I joined the University Theatre group, The Roehampton Players. I directed my first musical, Joseph and the amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and it was a huge success involving a cast of over 60 and three local primary schools. I have directed this musical three times and will always have a sentimental attachment to it, as it was my first. It is a great piece that you can do so much with and as a starter show I strongly recommend it.

In my final year at University I directed my first play, Equus – by Peter Shaffer and set myself the target of putting on a production in only 14 rehearsals. The cast was small and dedicated to the project, which was the framework for its success and reinforced the idea that I had a talent for directing.

I spent a lot of time as a child performing in school plays, local operatic society productions or Old Time Music Hall shows with my parents. I had been born into a musical family acting out scenes and songs with my sister to guests and was lucky enough to visit the theatre regularly with my Mum and Dad.

I sang with a band when I was in my teens and realised that making money from singing was not only easy cash but also great fun. I toured Europe and worked on various functions with incredible musicians. I continue to be the lead singer for a very successful function band called Speakeasy. However the buzz I had from performing was nothing in comparison to the buzz I had when directing and creating a piece of theatre.

During my summer breaks I discovered a wonderful magical place in New York called Stagedoor Manor, a performing arts training centre for theatre kids.

I worked the summer of 1999 as a Stage Manager on various shows and when I was asked to return the following year I told the executive producer I was grateful for the experience but directing was what I really wanted to do. She didn’t think she could offer me a place but was glad we had met.

I learnt a lot that summer about directing from a great number of talented people. I guess the main thing I learnt was how to put on a full-length musical production with only 2 weeks rehearsal and a limited budget. This was going to come in handy!

After completing my degree in Drama & Theatre Studies and getting a 2:1, I then went onto train as a Drama teacher at The Central School of Speech & Drama. I have always been torn between my two passions, theatre and education and becoming a drama teacher seemed to be the perfect compromise.

I taught English and Drama at school in Fulham for 2 years and loved every minute of it. I also think I have never worked as hard in my life as times in the inner London classroom and salute everyone in the profession.

Each summer I returned to the States and continued to work for Stagedoor Manor. I directed several shows each summer and worked with hugely talented performers, designers, choreographers and musical directors. One of the most rewarding things about working with such creative people is that I always learn something new. Every show brings a new trick to my trade and for that I am eternally grateful.

I was soon juggling directing projects with my teaching career and got to the point where I could no longer physically do both to any credit. I had to make a decision. Despite making some of the best friends and sharing some of the most rewarding experiences in my life, something was missing and after many conversations with myself I left teaching and decided to take up directing full time.

In December 2003 I took up a directing job with Millie Productions, an independent production company who were re-launching The Thorndike Theatre in Leatherhead. The production was Annie and despite turning down this show in the past at Stagedoor was excited to be doing a professional project in an equity house.

The cast was brilliant and as a Christmas project it secured my doubt of whether or not directing full time was the right thing to do. But it was and 2004 was going to be a great year.

I finished the work at Leatherhead and took up a Residency post for Songtime Theatre Arts. I began working on Bugsy Malone, which was being performed at The Hampton Hill Playhouse. I soon realised that if I wanted to work with kids as talented as those in New York, this was the company to work for.

Working for Songtime was a good move as it allowed me to not only direct young, talented performers but also keep up the acting work in some of their productions.

I still found time to juggle the odd teaching project and guest lectured for various colleges and universities on their education and drama programmes. In March 2004 I also took on the position as a behaviour consultant for various schools and worked with teachers and pupils on how to tackle behaviour in the classroom. This was fascinating work and helped me remember why I loved teaching so much.

In February 2004, Songtime had me working on The Sound of Music for the Wilde Theatre in Bracknell (April 04) and Les Miserables (schools edition) for the Beck Theatre in Hayes (July 04).

There have been many people I would like to acknowledge and thank for their inspiration and opportunity and cannot think of a better way to do it than on my web page. I hope you have enjoyed learning a little bit more about me and enjoy the site. Stay tuned of my future work and thanks for the support!