Stage Academy

Company led by:

• 

  Robyn Holdaway

  Senior Stage Director

  Robyn is a non-binary actor best known for their work as Layla in Netflix’s ‘Sex Education’. Their credits also include: AMC’s ‘Moonhaven’, BBC’s ‘Strike: Lethal White’, and various other stage and screen roles. Their audiobook work includes the award winning ‘Our Wives Under the Sea’, as well as critically acclaimed ‘Sistersong’, ‘How To Understand Your Gender’, and ‘Skin’. They are an active member of the LGBTQ community, and they are passionate about bringing this diversity into the mainstream both as an artist and as an activist. They have been teaching drama to all ages for over fourteen years, at various youth theatres and theatre schools across the country. As a private drama tutor Robyn has helped with auditions, skills development, and assisting their students to land places at Drama School. Robyn is committed to creating a safe and inclusive working environment, and helping each student to reach their full potential.
• 

  Samuel Burke

  Upper Stage Academy Director

  Sam trained in Canterbury before moving back to Cambridgeshire to be Artistic Director of St Ives Youth Theatre where he worked for 5 years. Whilst in this role he directed many shows such as; Legally Blonde, The Dumb Waiter, and The Wizard of Oz.

  Some credits include: Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Anselm Theatre), and Nathan Detroit in Guys & Dolls (Centre Theatre Players).

  Sam has been part of Cambridgeshire theatre groups since 2006, and performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe on 3 occasions.

• 

  Matt Feast

  The Company Director

  Having worked in theatre for many years, across numerous professional venues, Matt developed a strong understanding of the reality of the performance industry. Working at the Young Actors Company provides him with a platform to share his experience, and to help support the future generation of theatre professionals. As an ex-Young Actor, Matt fully recognises the impact that the company can have, and it’s that understanding that inspires him to deliver the best he can. His mission is to ensure that each and every Young Actor has the tools they require to follow their dreams, and to provide them with the confidence they require to make those dreams a reality.

• 

  Emma O'Rouke

  Junior Stage Director

  Emma trained at the Northern Ballet School, and graduated in 2020. Her theatre credits include: Belle in Beauty and the Beast (Charming Entertainment), Cinderella in Cinderella (Charming Entertainment), Belle in Once Upon A Fairytale (Neverland Theatre), and Swing in the Lego Friends live shows at Legoland Windsor Resort.

  Emma is thrilled to step into the role of Director, bringing her experience as an Assistant Director at YAC and her teaching experience from other schools. Passionate about helping students develop their skills, confidence, and creativity, she looks forward to working with the next generation of talented performers.

• 

  Kayeleigh Barnes

  Junior Stage Academy Director

  Kayleigh trained at Stageworks Studios and Liverpool Theatre School where she graduated in 2017.

  Her theatre credits include: The White Rabbit (Alice in Wonderland), Nurse (Sleeping Beauty, Birmingham Royal Ballet, UK Tour), Peter Pan (Peter Pan), Flounder (The Little Mermaid) Princess (Aladdin), Goldilocks (Goldilocks and the 3 Bears), Beauty (Beauty and the Beast, UK Tour), Mowgli (The Jungle Book, London), Lucy (Dracula, Rome) and Marie (The Nutcracker, London & Rome)

  Her TV/Film credits include: Kate (National Pubwatch), Apprentice (UBS Bank Commercial), Cyclist (Greater Cambridge Council Commercial), Aga (North Pole HQ, Thistles Stirling Commercial) Melissa (One Service – Five Meals, Pizza Express Commercial), Caroline (Seven Stages, ITV) and Amy (After Life, SWRC Films).

  Kayleigh has been teaching drama for many years and is really excited to be joining the team at YAC and working with the brilliant young talent here.