The Team
Kate was a founder member of the Everyman Youth Theatre and performed in many productions including ‘Our Day Out’; ‘Nicholas Nickleby’; ‘Independence Day’ and ‘Poppy’. She performed at the National Theatre in ‘As You Like it’ and ‘Framed’. She played a leading part in an award winning film called ‘The Tigers’ when she was twelve years old. When Kate left school she took a year’s foundation course in dance at Swindon College, before winning a place at Doreen Bird’s School of Dance.
She completed her training with a Drama and Musical Theatre course at Arts Educational School in London. She made her professional debut in Pantomime at Bognor, followed by work in a Theatre in Education team in schools and the community. She was delighted to return to The Everyman Theatre as a professional actor, playing leading parts in ‘Amedeus’ and ‘Romeo and Juliet’.
Kate enjoys performing in Focus Theatre, as it keeps her working in her chosen profession.Kate has been successfully teaching Drama for many years between bringing up her large family. In 2010 she became the proprietor of a holiday camp company called 4-2-11. This is an Arts alternative to sports based camps.
Sheila Mander has been teaching and directing Theatre in Gloucestershire for over 45 years.
She attained the highest mark in Britain for her teachers’ Diploma at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Having studied to become a professional actor she worked in weekly rep radio and film before producing her greatest achievement- 6 children. Returning to work part time at first and building a huge speech & Drama practise, as well as classes in drama for all ages- she has taught from 4 yrs and all ages up to to A level Theatre Studies.
She became head of Education and founded The Everyman Youth Theatre & the Reachout Department at the Everyman Theatre in 1986. In 1990 she was promoted to Associate Director, directing both Profession shows. In 2003 she was made an Honorary Fellow of Gloucestershire University for “Raising the expectation of Young People throughout Gloucestershire.” She has Since co written and Delivered the Foundation degree and the BA honours degree in performing Arts for the University. Sheila has a huge passion for developing confidence in all ages, and looks forward to helping guide Mander Hall Academy to the challenges ahead.
Alex was born and raised in London, England. His first job was at the age of 12 working with Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber on a show called Young Apollo. He went on to train at the prestigious Arts Educational School in London where he was awarded the Andrew Lloyd Webber scholarship for Musical Theatre.
Durinig his time at college Alex performed at the Royal Variety Performance and the Brit Awards working for Arlene Phillips. After graduating Alex went straight into work. His first job was Sir Andrew Lloyd Webbers ‘Sunset Boulevard’, working with Sir Trevor Nunn and the legendary Bob Avion. Alex was the youngest cast member in the history of the show.
His next show was ‘Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,’ teaming up with Andrew Lloyd Webber and again becoming the youngest person in the history of the show to play the title role of Joseph on stage.
Many shows followed including ‘LES MISERABLES’ ‘RENT’ and ‘WE WILL ROCK YOU’ which he made his home for 6 years. Alex performed and acted as Dance Captain, working alongside Ben Elton, the legendary Brian May, and again with Arlene Phillips.
Tom Jordan is a Fight Director, Combat Instructor & Acting Tutor with over 20 years industry experience. He is also an Associate Practitioner for the Royal Shakespeare Company, and a part of the movement teaching team at LAMDA.
Danielle Lade is a writer and a theatre creative who started her career in theatre herself at a young age under the tutelage of Sheila Mander. Over the years she’s been an actor, a director, and a producer working with local and regional companies including Gloucestershire People’s Theatre, Gloucester Arts Project and The Actors Rebellion. Danielle is currently part of a team responsible for developing methodology within performance education, teaches public speaking skills in the corporate sector, as well as representing Special Action Artists in the industry.