Faculty

Phillip Short - Principal, Musical Theatre Course Director

Phillip trained at LSMT at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London (Diploma in Musical Theatre, Distinction). He has extensive experience of the performing arts, as a performer, director, producer, head of music, vocal coach, singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and composer. Phillip’s theatre and television credits include: The Sixties (tour); One Step Beyond (national tour); Pinocchio (national tour); Brighton Cares (Brighton Centre); Elegies (Bridewell Theatre, London & Komedia Theatre, Brighton); The Spy Next Door (Sky One).

His directing credits include: Star For A Night (Harlequin Theatre, Redhill) and his recording credits include: Limehouse Nights (Warner/Chappell); Moby Dick (Warner Chappell).

As a singer/songwriter, Phillip’s works have been performed on television and radio and at Her Majesty’s Theatre (West End) and his composing credits include: The Legacy (Leicester Square Theatre, West End); Secrets (Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, West End, Leicester Square Theatre, West End & Bridewell Theatre, West End); Hotel S.A.L.I.G.I.A. (Bloomsbury Theatre, West End ,Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, West End & Leicester Square Theatre, West End).

He has also been a vocal coach for Diablo Records and a Head of Music. Phillip firmly believes that training in Musical Theatre is the most effective way of combining the three main disciplines of dance, drama and singing, to produce highly-skilled, versatile performers, able to cope with the ever-increasing demands of the profession.

Elaine Gray - Senior Partner

Elaine is a trained teacher in the adult education sector and has designed and managed training programmes across a wide range of vocational areas.

Having previously trained as a dancer, Elaine is now a successful scriptwriter and her performed works include: The Legacy (Leicester Square Theatre, West End); Secrets (Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, West End, Leicester Square Theatre, West End & Bridewell Theatre, West End); Hotel S.A.L.I.G.I.A. (Bloomsbury Theatre, West End, Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, West End & Leicester Square Theatre, West End); The Wytch Cross Mystery (Fairfield Halls, Croydon & Shaftesbury Theatre, West End); Hero (Leatherhead Theatre, Surrey).

Elaine passionately believes that the combination of high-quality vocational training plus the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification means that our students leave us fully prepared to excel in this industry.

Amanda-Jane Short - Acting Course Director, Acting

Amanda-Jane trained at London School of Musical Theatre. She works extensively in the industry as an actress, singer, director & choreographer.

Amanda-Jane’s Theatre credits include: The Sixties (tour); April in Paris (Kenton Theatre, Henley); Sing While You're Swimming (Battersea Barge); Scooby Doo and the Pirate Ghost Live (UK & Ireland tour); Thomas & Friends (UK & Asia tour); Rumplestiltskin (regional tour); Legal Weapon (regional tour). She has performed as a vocalist all over the UK, with recording credits including sessions for Universal Records.

Amanda-Jane’s Directing & Choreography credits include: Hotel S.A.L.I.G.I.A. (Leicester Square Theatre, West End); The Legacy (Leicester Square Theatre, West End); Secrets (Leicester Square Theatre, West End & Bridewell Theatre, West End); Elegies for Angels, Punks & Raging Queens (Epsom Playhouse); The Wiz (Epsom Playhouse); Just So (Charles Cryer Theatre, Carshalton & Tramshed Theatre, Woolwich); Return To The Forbidden Planet (Studio Theatre, Salisbury); Bugsy Malone (Adrian Mann Theatre); Annie (Adrian Mann Theatre).

Emma Trowell - Dance

Emma Trained at Italia Conti (Diploma in Performing Arts, Trinity College London) and The Royal Ballet (Junior Associate). She is a highly regarded, very experienced performer and a respected choreographer.

Emma’s theatre credits include: Babes In The Wood (Pomegranate Theatre, Chesterfield); The Little Mermaid (Courtyard Theatre, Hereford); Dick Whittington (New Theatre, Cardiff); Masonic Charity Performance (London Palladium); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (regional tour); A Chorus Line (Avondale Theatre, Clapham); West (Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Fringe Festival). Other performance work includes: Dancer/Singer/Dance Captain (P&O Cruises); Lady Godiva’s Dance Troupe (Cafe de Paris, Emporium). Emma’s television credits include: The Basil Brush Show (BBC Television); Nintendo Wii advert; FM (Channel 4 Productions).

Her Choreography credits include: The Legacy (Leicester Square Theatre, West End); Hotel S.A.L.I.G.I.A. (Bloomsbury Theatre, West End, Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, West End & Leicester Square Theatre, West End); Secrets (Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, West End, Leicester Square Theatre, West End & Bridewell Theatre, West End); Italia Conti Production Shows (Her Majesty’s Theatre, London; Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon; Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon).

Marcos White - Dance

Marcos trained at Laine Theatre Arts. He is a highly experienced and respected performer and choreographer, with experience of stage, film & television and international choreography credits to many well-known names.

Marcos’s theatre credits include: Miss Saigon (Theatre Royal, West End); Closer To Heaven (Arts Theatre, London & Really Useful Group); Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 50th Birthday Celebration (Royal Albert Hall). His film & television credits include: Kinky Boots (Disney); Pink ‘Get The Party Started’ (Brit Awards); Ronan Keating 'I Love It When We Do' (music video); S Club 7 ‘Don’t Stop Moving’ (Record of the Year); Geri Halliwell ‘It’s Raining Men’ (music video); Billie Piper (Smash Hits Poll Winners’ Party); Fragma ‘Tocas Miracle’ (Christmas Top of the Pops); Kylie Minogue (TV promotions); Geri Halliwell (Brit Awards); Geri Halliwell ‘Bag It Up’ (music video); Dina Carroll ‘Without Love’ (music video and TV appearances); Tamperer ft. Maya 'Feel It' (Britannia Record of the Year); Peter Andre (Smash Hits Poll Winners’ Party); MTV (Europe Music Awards); BBC Royal Variety Performance.

Marcos’s choreography credits include: Kylie Minogue (Barcelona, Paris, BBC and London Astoria); Visage (UK arena tour); MTV Europe/Volkswagen ‘Mondo Club’; Paul Keating and ensemble (BBC Showtime at the Stadium); Terry de Havilland Shoes/AD Hair Solutions (London Fashion Week); Pussy Clothing catwalk show (Fashion Cafe, London): Fool Boona ‘Popped’ (music video).

Melissa McKeigue - Dance

Melissa trained at KSA Academy of Performing Arts (Diploma in Musical Theatre, Distinction & ATCL Diploma in Musical Theatre). She works extensively as a dancer, choreographer and singer.

As a youth, Melissa was a competitive dancer with major successes including ISTD National Set Dance Champion and ISTD Rock and Roll Champion.

Melissa’s theatre credits include: The Sixties (tour);  S4K’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (UK and international tour) and Willy Wonka The Musical (Centrepoint Theatre, Dubai). Her dance credits include Main Dancer in C’mon Everybody - The Musical feature film trailer and she is a regular Principal Dancer at Miss Chief Variety Cabaret.

As a dancer Melissa has appeared in corporate bookings all over London and the South East. She is a founder member of OMG Entertainment, with appearances including Koko, London and numerous corporate appearances. Her choreography has featured at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London, Sadler’s Wells, London and Disneyland, Paris.

Gemma Arrowsmith - Acting

Gemma trained at GSA Conservatoire (1st Class BA hons in Musical Theatre) and LAMDA (Associate Diploma in Acting). She has extensive, award-winning acting experience (Best Artiste - Fringe Report Awards; GSA Conservatoire Principal’s Award; Finalist in the BBC Carleton Hobbs Radio Award).

Gemma’s theatre credits include: Little Shop of Horrors (Crescent Theatre); Little Voice (Crescent Theatre); The Importance of Being Earnest (Wimbledon New Theatre & touring); Side By Side By Sondheim (Crescent Theatre); The Plan B Show (C Central); Newsrevue (C Main). TV credits include: Hustle (BBC), Merlin (BBC), Home Time (Baby Cow, BBC), Dead Boss (BBC), Vic Reeves' Ministry of Curious Stuff (BBC), Spy (Sky), Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (BBC), Charlie Brooker's How TV Ruined Your Life (BBC), Relic: Guardians of the Museum (BBC), and film credits include: The Magic Flute (Magic Flute Productions/Kenneth Branagh). Gemma’s directing credits include: Hotel S.A.L.I.G.I.A. (Bloomsbury Theatre); Newsrevue (Canal Café Theatre); Anton In Showbusiness (Bellairs Playhouse).

As a comedian and writer Gemma runs and comperes Comedy Sleepover, a monthly sketch and character night in London. She has also been half of double act Mould & Arrowsmith for the last four years, taking a trilogy of shows to the Edinburgh Fringe. Her first solo hour Gemma Arrowsmith: Defender of Earth was at EdFringe 2012.

Adam Rhys-Davies – Acting

Adam trained at London School of Musical Theatre. He works extensively in musicals, straight plays, musical reviews, improvised comedy and sketch comedy. Adam also has a wealth of directing experience. He has recently finished filming for BBC3's Live at the Electric as part of his comedy act The Twins Macabre, which will be screened later this year.

Theatre credits include: Joe in the critically acclaimed musical Therapy (Edinburgh Festival); John in John & Jen (Landor Theatre); Michael in tick, tick...Boom! (Union Theatre, London); The Improvised Musical (Edinburgh Festival); Newsrevue (Canal Cafe, London); Loving Art (Landor Theatre); Edward in When Midnight Strikes (Finborough Theatre & Chelsea Theatre); Peter in Pinkalaicious (Waterloo East) Last One Picked (Battersea Barge); Anthony & Cleopatra (Polesden Lacey); Buttons in Cinderella (Kenneth More Theatre); Rapunzel (The Theatre, Chipping Norton); Touchstone in As You Like It (Borough Studios); The Mad Hatter in Alice In Wonderland (Borough Studios); Peter Pan in Peter Pan (UK tour); Christmas In New York (Apollo Theatre, London); Godspell (Theatre Royal, Waterford). He is also part of Sunday Night Singers, a monthly cabaret show featuring new and upcoming composers and also founded the comedy improvisation group The Invention Cycle which performs across London.

Directing credits include: NewsRevue (Canal Cafe Theatre) Hotel S.A.L.I.G.I.A. (Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre); Secrets (Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre); Honk! (Charles Cryer Theatre, Carshalton); Godspell (Churchill Theatre, Bromley & Tramshed Theatre, Woolwich); Elegies For Angels, Punks & Raging Queens (Churchill Theatre, Bromley).

Jonathan Niton - Acting

Jonathan Niton BA (Hons) is a writer, tutor and actor. He trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and The Central School of Speech and Drama and joined the KSA faculty in 2012.

Jonathan's Theatre credits include: Out Of Order (The Mill at Sonning); The Sixties (tour); Frankenstein: the Prometheus Project (Catford Broadway); April in Paris (Kenton Theatre, Henley); Spring and Port Wine (The Mill at Sonning); Dad's Army Marches On (tour); Far From The Madding Crowd (tour), Northanger Abbey (tour), The Heiress. The world premier of That's Love; Plaza Suite; That Old Feeling; Double Death and Write Me a Murder (all for The Mill at Sonning).  His Filming credits include: The £45 Zombie feature ‘Colin’ (Nowherefast Productions) and he played Charles Dickens in a documentary at 48 Doughty Street (gogglebox). 

Other credits include: Rehearsed readings of Red Channels (So & So Arts), Presentation Difficulties (Battersea Arts Centre & the Southwark Playhouse); Royal Theatrical Fund Christmas Festival (Actors' Church, Covent Garden); Sing While You're Swimming (Battersea Barge).  

As a writer Jonathan recently co-wrote Frankenstein: the Prometheus Project (Catford Broadway) and a series of cabarets: A Rose Between Two Thorns and A Night Before Christmas. 

James Beal - Singing

James has been playing piano for 25 years and is a highly regarded musical director and pianist.

His Musical Directing credits include: The Sixties (tour); The Legacy (Leicester Square Theatre); Hotel S.A.L.I.G.I.A. (Bloomsbury Theatre, West End, Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, West End & Leicester Square Theatre, West End); Secrets (Jerwood Vanbrugh Theatre, West End, Leicester Square Theatre, West End & Bridewell Theatre, West End); Honk! (Charles Cryer Theatre, Carshalton); Shakespeare 4 Kidz (UK tour); The Wiz (Chelsea Theatre & Epsom Playhouse); Just So (Charles Cryer Theatre, Carshalton & Tramshed Theatre, Woolwich); Godspell (Churchill Theatre, Bromley & Tramshed Theatre, Woolwich); Elegies for Angels, Punks and Raging Queens (Churchill Theatre, Bromley & Epsom Playhouse); The Wedding Singer; Footloose; Little Shop of Horrors; The Wiz; Copacabana; Return to the Forbidden Planet; Back to the 80s.

Rhona McGregor - Singing

Rhona trained at Guildford School of Acting (Postgraduate Diploma in Musical Theatre), University of Southampton (MA in Music Performance, BA Hons Music) and Weymouth College (CFET - Certificate in Further Education Teaching). She is a highly qualified singer, dancer and multi-instrumentalist, with a vast amount of teaching experience in both further and higher education.

Rhona’s theatre credits include: Legally Blonde (UK tour); Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace Theatre, West End); Beauty and the Beast (New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich); Pirates of Penzance (Kilworth House Theatre); Chess (Oslo Spektrum, Norway); The Apple Tree (The Electric Theatre, Guildford); Sweet Charity (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford); 42nd Street (The Nuffield Theatre, Southampton).

Her television credits include: Harbour Lights (BBC Television) and musical directing and choreography credits include University of Southampton Musical Theatre Society. Rhona has worked extensively as a teacher of singing, music and performing arts, with experience including: Singing Tutor (University of Southampton); Lecturer in Music (Weymouth College); Lecturer in Performing Arts (Weymouth College), plus many years’ experience of working as a private singing tutor.

Richard Hartley Wilson - Singing

Richard Hartley Wilson gained a First Class BA (Hons) in Performing Arts at Middlesex University before training at the Royal Academy of Music on the musical theatre course receiving a scholarship and the Mary Hammond Masterclass Award for acting through song. He works extensively as a singer, and vocal coach.

Theatre Credits include: Warchild (NYMT); The Firebird (Barons Court Theatre); 16 Gobs (Kings Head Theatre); Notes Across a Small Pond (Bridewell/Carol Metcalfe); An Enchanted Evening (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane); Nelson (SoHo Theatre/David Gilmore); Terry Pratchett's Only You Can Save Mankind (Pleasance/Christian Durham); Drive Ride Walk (Riverside Studios Tour/Greenwich Theatre/Tour); Aladdin (Broadway Theatre, Peterborough); Thursford Xmas Spectacular (Thursford); Stage To Screen/Can't Stop The Rock (Royal Caribbean Cruises); Guys and Dolls (Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man); Fiddlers on the Hoof (Tours of India and Zambia); Scrapbook Live (Leicester Square Theatre).

TV Credits include: Songs Of Praise Soloist (BBC); MTV Airwaves Commercial (Footballer); An Enchanted Evening (BBC3); Golden Jubilee Celebrations (Buckingham Palace). Session work includes: the Ridley Scott produced “Life in a Day” and Patrick Moore’s “Space”.

He also regularly performs with the Orchestral Fusion band ‘Tonic Fold’ and as a singer/songwriter.