Educate. Inspire. Empower
"Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience"
~ Paulo Coelho ~
Our Alumni
Where the Passion Began
Our faculty members are highly influential players in the industry. In every course they teach, they bring their rich experience, knowledge and passion to the classroom. Get to know our talented team below, and feel free to reach out with questions.
Reuben Bainbridge
TV & Film Actor
Online profile: https://www.spotlight.com/0536-7836-2963
Charlotte Bradshaw
International Film, Theatre & TV actor
Theatre:
Contemporary Composers Concert (Bobby Cronin)
Arrowhead: The Musical (Role of Stephanie) – Reading @ NYFA
3 Cabarets @ The Duplex NYC
Fucked Up Fairytales, I Hate Shakespeare, Christmas Carol @ The Producers Club NYC
Broadway Blue Wave – Concert Singer @ Lincoln Center NYC
The Crucible – Abigail Williams @ The Moss Mansion, Billings MT
Lion in Winter
TV/Film:
Dead Drop – Susan Zauer (Short Film) being released Oct 2022.
Kaya: A Taste of Paradise – Sky (Short Film)
Nuclear Knack Knacks – Patron (Short Film)
Triple Threat – Party Girl (Short Film)
Three Minutes to Go – Bar Couple (Short)
Trial of the Chicago 7 – Courtroom Opposer (Feature Film)
Mon Heroine – Julia Roberts Fan (Feature Film)
Background, Action! – Theater Audience Member (TV Series)
Halston – Studio 54 Club Goer (TV Mini Series)
The Big Time – Dr. Dominatrix (TV Series) release date Nov 7th 2022.
Katy Keene – Human Rights Activist (TV Show)
Legendary – Audience Member (TV Show)
The Politician – Movie Goer (TV Show)
Gossip Girl (2021) – S1: Gala Attendee, Real Couple, S2: Photographer, UES Pedestrian (TV Show)
Love Life – Ice Skater (TV Show)
Only Murders in the Building – S1: Pedestria, S2: Brazzo’s PA (TV Show)
Younger – Compost Activist (TV Show)
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel – Waitress, Kissing Couple (TV Show)
Inventing Anna – Prisoner (TV Show)
Hit and Run – Club Goer (TV Show)
We Crashed – Camp Attendee (TV Show)
New Amsterdam – Cashier (TV Show)
Evil Lives Here: Shadows of Death – Emma’s Friend (TV Show)
Violent in Black: Where is my MTV? – Concert Goer (Music Video)
Lucas Byrne
Film Actor
I’ve been with applause since I was 6 years old and I have done so much since I first joined. Along with doing so many shows over the years with applause, I have had opportunities to be in a movie, perform in different types of venues, I’ve been apart of other projects that have been televised and streamed online like passion play Bishop Auckland. I have been doing Kynren since it’s first year and applause gave me the skills to, firstly, get into Level 3 performing arts course at college and now the University of West London, studying performing arts once again. I think applause has given me confidence I wouldn’t have otherwise had, and has lead me into so many of these opportunities that have helped be grow even more and I can’t imagine a more comfortable and positive environment.
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In addition to all this, I won the best youth actor award in the Berlin film festival for my work on The August Club. The movie has won many awards all over the world, featuring on Amazon Prime. I hope to continue pursuing performing arts and look forward to taking the next steps in my career while away at university.
Chris Chapman
Cameraman and Consultant on ITV's Emerdale
Since Chris' time at Applause, he has gone on to work in YV, Film and Photography. Most notably, Chris is part of Emmerdale's BAFTA award-winning team, where he is a key member of the small post-production department. Although he doesn't act anymore, he regularly uses his acting experience when working as a director of photography, such as on projects with production company Knock & Nash.
Chris is also a guest lecturer at Salford University.
Hannah Davis
Stage Actor
Hannah is an actor from County Durham and graduated from Guildford School of Acting in 2018. She is also an associate artist with London based company "Nothing to Perform" where she regularly collaborates with London Film School screenwriters on the actors' readings.
Her credits include:
Helen (Vault Festival)
Cinderellas SnapTok (Gala Theatre)
Yarns From Hyem (Blowin' A Hooley)
Fire & Water (The Exchange)
Peggy Pearpot (The Customs House)
Ugly (Tristan Bates Theatre)
Othello (Cockpit Theatre)
Petroleuse (Lyric Hammersmith)
Hannah is also thrilled to be playing the role of Vicky in The Bench alongside a wonderfully talented cast and creative team.
Ella Lee Green
Actor
Ella has worked on many different roles recently she has been working on:
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Still in production filming lead role of Grace in indie horror feature film "Somebodies Home"
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Filmed silly cameo in indie comedy feature film "Secrets of a Wallaby Boy" coming out later this year, also starring Mark Benton and Dr. Who's Colin Baker
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Filmed an online ad for FireChief playing the Mum
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Continuing to develop puppetry skills and just understudied for Tatwood Puppets "The Squid and the Sea" this was my first time doing that style of puppetry (bunraku)
Sara Hird
Stage & Screen Actor
Sara moved over to NYC where she was awarded an Assistant Scholarship to attend the Stella Adler Studio of Acting. During her time at Stella she was one of 20 actors chosen out of 100 to be part of the industry showcase and performed in front of casting offices including Disney, ABC, Fox and Netflix. After completing her training and graduating during the pandemic she wrote and starred in her first short film ‘Just Between Us’ which will be released later this year with 5:15 Productions. She originated the role of Logan in new play Digging Up Daddy directed by Christa Kimlicko Jones. A few of the short films she has been in include; The Fish Exchange, Foreplay, The Family Key. Sara is currently living back in the UK and signed with Vella-Wozniak Talent. She is rehearsing for two new plays ‘Bunker’ and ‘Adrift’ with Upstage Lights Theatre Company
Work Since NYFA
Theatre:
Contemporary Composers Concert (Bobby Cronin)
Arrowhead: The Musical (Role of Stephanie) - Reading @ NYFA
3 Cabarets @, The Duplex NYC
Fucked Up Fairytales, I Hate Shakespeare, Christmas Carol @ The
Producers Club NYC
Broadway Blue Wave - Concert Singer @ Lincoln Center NYC
The Crucible - Abigail Williams @ The Moss Mansion, Billings MT
TV/Film:
Dead Drop - Susan Zauer (Short Film) being released Oct 2022.
Kaya: A Taste of Paradise - Sky (Short Film)
Nuclear Knack Knacks - Patron (Short Film)
Triple Threat - Party Girl (Short Film)
Three Minutes to Go - Bar Couple (Short)
Trial of the Chicago 7 - Courtroom Opposer (Feature Film)
Mon Heroine - Julia Roberts Fan (Feature Film)
Background, Action! - Theater Audience Member (TV Series)
Halston - Studio 54 Club Goer (TV Mini Series)
The Big Time - Dr. Dominatrix (TV Series) release date Nov 7' 2022
Katy Keene - Human Rights Activist (TV Show)
Legendary - Audience Member (TV Show)
The Politician - Movie Goer (TV Show)
Gossip Girl (2021) - S1: Gala Attendee, Real Couple, S2:
Photographer, UES Pedestrian (TV Show)
Love Life - Ice Skater (TV Show)
Only Murders in the Building - S1: Pedestria, S2: Brazzo's PA (TV
Show)
Younger - Compost Activist (TV Show)
Marvelous Mrs. Maisel - Waitress, Kissing Couple (TV Show)
Inventing Anna - Prisoner (TV Show)
Hit and Run - Club Goer (TV Show)
We Crashed - Camp Attendee (TV Show)
New Amsterdam - Cashier (TV Show)
Evil Lives Here: Shadows of Death - Emma's Friend (TV Show)
Violent in Black: Where is my MTV? - Concert Goer (Music Video)
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Stan Hodgson
Theatre Director, Devisor & Musician
Stan Hodgson is a Theatre Director, Deviser and Musician. He trained at LAMDA, and became Co-Artistic Director of The Letter Room, which creates new musicals with actor-musicians. They have worked with The RSC, Northern Stage & are currently Associate Artists of The Lowry.
As a Director, he has worked with the National Youth Theatre, Northern Stage, Curious Monkey and Live Theatre. His new Audio Feature, 'Obit.' has just been released on BBC Sounds.
Matthew Lewis
Director of the SPACE London
Through my Applause attendance I had the experience and confidence to apply for East 15 Acting School. I attended the 3 years World Performance BA, which helped me discover my own creativity and self determination.
Upon graduating. I made my own work, taking productions to the Edinburgh and Prague fringes.
I've since become Management in a theatre, which offers me great opportunities to support new work and new companies creating new work. My time with applause offered me critical faculties and the level of support I've needed to write my own shows, go on to study a masters in theatre studies and shape and create my beloved industry.
Sally Messham
Film Actor
Applause Theatre arts is a fantastic institution, somewhere where your individual creativity is honed but also where you are able to work with like-minded people, regardless of experience and, (most importantly) you are encouraged to have fun! It really gave me valuable experiences of performing in various places with new challenges facing us each time that we dealt with as a team. There was never a dull moment! Sam really does build a safe space and an inspiring atmosphere in which to let your imagination run wild and to just give things a go. I’ll remember my time with them very very fondly!
Christian Potter
Videographer
Applause helped me so much with my confidence when it came to all aspects of my life, I went to uni to study filmmaking and proceeded to become a freelance videographer
filming everything from adverts to music videos. I now work at LADbible and help run social media channels with, over 10 million followers as well as interviewing music artists behind the scenes at music festivals!
Sophie Ruddick
Actor for Disney Cruises
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Beth Salt
Stage & Screen Actor
See Beth's Spotlight profile: https://www.spotlight.com/7015-6752-3836
Livy Thompson
Stage & Screen Actor
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Oliver Wellham
Freelance Writer
Applause Theatre School gave me the confidence to get on stage and act, sing and dance. Studying there gave me the courage to study Drama and Scriptwriting at Northumbria University followed by a masters in Screenwriting at the Screen Academy Scotland. I use the skills I learnt at applause everyday in my job promoting university to sixth form students. I keep creative by regularly performing stand up comedy throughout the north east and writing scripts and screenplays
Connor McCready
Stage & Screen Actor
I studied with Sam Bradshaw for several years! The teaching from Sam inspired me to take up acting as a professional career. She helped me prepare to audition for Manchester School of Theatre too, and the training I received from her decidedly counted towards the 2:1 I achieved at the end of my course! Forever grateful for Sam and she’s always available to help when you need her.