The Theatretrain Creative Team
Theatretrain has helped thousands of young people find their voice, find joy in movement and discover a passion for performing. What makes Theatretrain stand apart from other performing arts groups is that we have an Artistic Director with decades of experience in all aspects of theatre, and he leads a like-minded team of creatives. At its heart, Theatretrain is based on our core values of striving to make performing arts accessible and exciting for everyone.
Our Values
The Theatretrain Way focuses on transforming the lives of children and young people through professional performing arts training. Everything we teach and organise starts with our core values.
- As professionals, we expect high standards of ourselves and those around us.
- The work is student-focused, interactive and alive.
- We are a community, and we respect each other.
- Our students, parents, our creatives and company directors (franchisees) are participants, and we try to involve them all in the process of what we do.
- We constantly evolve, reevaluate and refresh the work we do.
Meet The Team
Kevin Dowsett
Artistic Director
Kevin has 50 years of experience in two key areas that benefit the development of Theatretrain – education and the theatre. Using this combined knowledge, Kevin has created a unique performing arts tutoring experience for young people.
Kevin has written plays and published books about theatre training. He has taught theatre and stagecraft at all levels to the likes of Catherine Tate and Denise Gough. He has also produced and directed a wide range of productions.
Kevin has become a leader in the field of educational theatre for children and young people by showing how space, storytelling, sound, movement and atmosphere come together in theatre. He also leads the national productions that showcase the work and progress of both the students and the team.
Theatretrain’s stage is an oasis that young people return to every week, eager to learn a range of theatre and performance skills.
Robert Hyman
Musical Director
Since 1993, Robert has conducted and arranged the music for every large-scale production.
He is a conductor, composer, lyricist, musical director and performer.
As a composer, he has written music and lyrics for Theatre Royal Stratford East for the last 24 years, including Cinderella (Olivier Award nominee 2007) and Rapunzel (Olivier Award nominee 2017), for which he won a Great British Pantomime award. He is also company composer for Image Musical Theatre Co. with 20 musical adaptations of classic stories.
In the West End, he has been Musical Director for the hit musicals The Big Life, Come Dancing and Reasons To Be Cheerful, from which he performed at the Paralympics Opening Ceremony in 2012.
Sue Colgrave
Creative Consultant
Sue has been a Theatre Practitioner for over 30 years and has worked extensively in Theatre, TV and Radio.
For over 12 years, Sue has premiered and revived shows for the Edinburgh Fringe. She has a passion for inspiring performers of all ages to find their voices and become the next generation of expressive artists.
She continues to work at many of the UK’s leading Drama Schools as both Acting Coach and Director. Sue has worked on a number of Theatretrain productions dating back to 2006.
Owen Smith
Director of Dance and Movement
Owen leads the respected Post 16 Full Time Performing Arts course at the Redbridge Drama Centre.
Owen Smith began his career in the arts as a dancer and performer, and as a director, he has gained many credits, including; The Magic of Eurovision, P and O Cruises, Summer Season in the Isle of Man, the Kenneth More Theatre, The Arts Theatre London and Sadler’s Wells.
As an instructor, Owen has taught in schools and colleges around the country, including Italia Conti, just as Kevin did. Owen has taught at Theatretrain for many years.
Tamsin Dowsett
Assistant Artistic Director
Tamsin trained at the Royal Academy of Music and is an Actor and Director.
She is an associate artist of the National Youth Theatre and regularly teaches at Drama Schools in London and around the UK.
Tamsin’s performing credits include Hex (National Theatre), Bat Out of Hell (International Tour), and Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre). Tamsin has taught at Theatretrain for many years.
Jason Kew
Stage and Technical Manager
Jason is currently the Acting Technical Manager and Head of Lighting at the Barbican Concert Hall. Alongside his work at Barbican, he has freelanced as a lighting designer including acts such as Take That, Little Mix, S Club 7, Westlife, Kylie and Elton John.
He has also worked on TV and Film from Ant and Dec, Big Brother, Harry Potter, Marvel Films and James Bond. He is currently working on a number of Netflix productions.
Our Centre Directors
Our Centre Directors are the heart of Theatretrain, and they do an amazing job of coordinating teachers, parents, students and end of year performances, while ensuring that the core values and ethos of Theatretrain are at the forefront of everything they do. If you have any questions or queries, your Centre Director is the person in the know.
Our Teachers
The catalyst for change
Learn More About Our Companies…
Discover the magic of the big stage and let your little one step into the spotlight. Want to learn more about our session times, dates and Theatretrain companies near you? Find out all the details below.