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Stage Academy

The Stage Academy is one of the most respected production companies of its kind. The Stage Academy meets on Saturdays and is broken into 4 groups:

  • Juniors AM (10:00-13:30)
  • Juniors PM (13:30- 17:00)
  • Uppers (10:00- 17:00)
  • Seniors (10:00- 17:00)
  • The Company (10:00- 17:00)

The Stage Academy takes on at least one major production a year that is performed in a professional theatre space. As well as the production focused terms, students will also take on a programme of workshops and masterclasses covering a wide variety of stage, screen, stage combat, voice-over, and radio skills.

(Fees per 12 week term: Juniors: £359, Uppers and Seniors: £499)

Company led by:

  • Libby Thornton

    Junior Stage Academy Director

    Libby trained with the National Youth Theatre and then joined the University of Cambridge  to study English, Education, Drama, and the Arts. Throughout her three years there she was a member of the Cambridge Footlights and ran workshops for the University at a variety of local youth groups and with university members. She has written a variety of shows such as the Cambridge Footlights Pantomime: Rapunzel, and is now studying a part-time masters in Writing for Performance at Cambridge. Having worked as a director, actor, performer, and comic, Libby has a variety of styles and techniques to share with her young actors.

  • Darren O'Sullivan

    Upper Stage Academy Director

    Darren has been working in theatre industry straight out of college at the age of 18. He began his career as a actor and has performed in several nationwide theatre tours, Shakespeare, short film and pantomimes, before falling in love with directing and writing. He has since worked as a director on over 200 shows (150 of which being with younger actors) and has worked with The National Theatre, Ophelia Circus Theatre company, Abridge Theatre Company and 20Twenty Theatre Company, of which he was the founding member.

    Darren is also a creative director for Polkadot Pantomimes and was nominated for best director in the 2021/22.

    As well as directing theatre, Darren is also a published author of six psychological thrillers, signed to HarperCollins under his real name and Audible under a pseudonym BB Thomas. His work has been translated into several languages and has achieve bestseller status in 5 countries.

    He has two more novels scheduled to be published in 2023.

    He is delighted to now be the Creative Director for The Young Actors Company.

  • Josh Cavendish

    Senior Stage Academy Director

    Josh Cavendish was an actor at YAC in Cambridge for 8 years, before training at East 15 Acting School. He has worked as an actor and fight performer on stage and screen, most notably working at the Royal Opera House on several productions. He now works as a professional fight choreographer for theatre and film.

  • 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.