Expert Teaching staff – The college is extremely proud of its experienced and dynamic teachers, who have over 70 years’ combined experience as examiners and moderators for leading exam boards, and with the British Academy of Dramatic Combat. Five have Masters’ Degrees in Performing Arts Practice, from the likes of RADA, LIPA and the University of Sheffield, and their links provide unique opportunities for their students.
Our Wonderful Team …
Gideon Clear – Acting Teacher
Gideon trained at the Mountview Theatre School graduating with a First Class Honours Degree in Acting. He has had an extensive career working professionally as an actor in theatre, television and radio, most notably with United Productions for the BBC, the British Film Services, Really Useful
Theatres and Oneword Radio.
Gideon also worked as an Associate Director, casting for, directing and producing bespoke theatre presentations and training workshops for the likes of the BBC, Channel 4, London Underground and the Ministry of Defence.
He has worked at Pendleton Sixth Form College for over 10-years.
Nicoloa Hazeldine – Acting Teacher
Nicola is not only a part of our outstanding and experienced teaching staff, but she is also part of the college’s incredible alumni. In fact, Nicola was one of the students studying on the first ever BTEC Performing Arts Course at Pendleton.
She has come a long way since then. Following her time at Pendleton, Nicola went on to study BA Hons Contemporary Theatre and Performance at Manchester Metropolitan University and then for her Professional Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Bolton. She is also a LAMDA trained professional.
As a professional actor, she has made countless TV, fi lm and theatre appearances including appearances in Shameless and BBC drama Doctors.
Emma Lingard – Dance Teacher
Emma trained professionally at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), and upon graduating she worked as a freelance dance artist,
teacher and choreographer.
Emma’s career highlight has been creating her own company in 2011
called ‘The Master Class Experience’ (TMCE) a pre-Vocational training
experience for young people, led by professional dancers within the
industry. This ran successfully for four years and saw students progress into conservatoire training and professional work. After the success of TMCE Emma followed her passion for teaching and undertook a PGCE specialising in Further Education and training. She has a range of performance experience and has worked as a dancer in music videos, fashion shows and even a feature film.
Kevin Rowntree – Curriculum Leader
Kevin trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and the University of Leeds, and has since worked with a number of prominent theatre companies including Trestle Theatre Company and English Touring Theatre. His work as a fight director, and the fact he is a qualified instructor of stage combat, has meant Kevin has had the opportunity to work within the film industry as a special action performer. On top of this, he has taught acting, movement and stage combat at colleges, universities and drama schools across the UK including E15, Mountview and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. He has even set up his own theatre company specialising in contemporary productions of world
theatre.
Les Williams – Acting Teacher
After graduating from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Les worked professionally as an actor and director. He was part of two UK tours and even lived and
worked in Louisiana, USA, to work with Le Petit Theatre Company on the musical production ‘The King and I’, as an associate director.
On his return, Les turned to teaching and found a new passion. In his time teaching acting and drama, he has worked in Italy, for Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts and now Pendleton Sixth Form College. He has a Master’s Degree and two PGCE teaching qualifications.
Graham Wilkins – Technical Theatre Teacher
Graham completed a BA Honours Degree in 3D Design back in 1987 while he worked at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, which was his first introduction to contemporary performance. Graham then went on to work as a freelance designer working on theatre, interior and retail projects, which eventually developed into him having his own design and manufacturing company.
Throughout his career he has worked as a designer alongside teaching. He has worked throughout the UK and Europe on theatre productions and trade exhibitions. Clients have included Hewlett Packard, Harrods, British Gas and Clarins.