About Theatretrain Bromsgrove
Building Confidence & Training The Next Generation Of Performers…
Hi, I'm Melanie!
Hi, I’m Melanie! I’m the Company Director here at Theatretrain Bromsgrove, where my job is to ensure your children are enjoying their professional theatre training in a fun and creative way.
Having taught for Theatretrain Bromsgrove since its launch in 2006, I was thrilled to take over as Company director in January 2013. I graduated from The Birmingham Theatre School with a Higher National Diploma in Theatre Acting /Performing Arts (Distinctio n). Since leaving drama school with the coveted award ‘Best Actor’, I have been working professionally for 20 years, performing and teaching for a variety of high-profile Theatre companies, throughout the UK and overseas.
My theatre credits include G in The Mess Around (The Midlands Arts Centre), Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Unity Theatre Liverpool), Multiple roles in Jim Cartwright’s Two, Multiple roles in Grimm Tales (National Tour) and Anne Frank in the Diary of Anne Frank (Rheindahlen Theatre, Germany) to name but a few.
I began my directing career for The Birmingham Theatre School youth classes. The work was always child-centred, encouraging ownership of the project. Facilitating workshops and supporting the curriculum through provision of dance and drama is a role I undertook for Groundbreaking Theatre. I was the Youth Theatre director for Telford Stage School, directing musical theatre, devising, and scripting plays for gifted and talented children.
For 14 years, I was the proud Director of Artrix Youth Theatre and ran my own production company, Illumination Theatre, for the past 11 years – a company that works to the highest of standards to produce theatre that goes above and beyond what you would expect. I endeavour to offer an array of techniques and genres of work to my students, making each term a new and different challenge.
Incredibly dedicated and passionate about theatre, I strive to impassion the same enthusiasm and determination in all my students. I can readily achieve this by utilising my wealth of experience, discipline, and natural physical theatre flair, whilst imparting fun and humour into her teaching. I am beyond proud to be the Company Director at Theatretrain Bromsgrove and Harborne and can’t wait to continue to give performance opportunities and inspire young people to be the best they can be.
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Learn Genuine Theatre Principles While You Make Friends At Theatretrain Bromsgrove
The Theatretrain Way puts theatre back into the performing arts. Along with technical performance skills in acting, singing and dancing, young people get the chance to release their creativity in a safe and friendly place. Here, in an environment nurturing confidence and empathy, our students can expand to be more than they ever thought they could be. Our aim isn’t just to create better performers, but to help your children reach their full potential.
We Create The Welcoming Environment Where Aspiring Performers Thrive
Gain Skills For All Aspects Of Life, Not Just The Big Stage.
Meet the Theatretrain Bromsgrove team
Learn more about our team and get to know what we’re all about.
Sarah Benfield
Company Manager
Sarah is an experienced Centre Manager, having worked in a number of theatres, including Artrix, Bromsgrove. She has worked with a wide range of performers, including musicians, comedians, actors, performing arts and dance schools. A qualified first aider, Sarah also holds a Level 2 Certificate in Autism and Mental Health first aid. A Theatretrain parent herself, Sarah is always on hand to answer questions and offer support or advice to both parents and students alike.
Eliza Trueman
Theatre Director
When she was younger, Eliza often struggled to find the confidence to do the things she loved to do. When she discovered theatre, she found a place that allowed her to be herself and enjoy being in the spotlight. Theatretrain has taught Eliza that theatre is not just about what happens on the stage, but about the friendships that develop and the ways you interact with the people you share the stage with: that is what’s most important. Eliza wants to pass on the lessons that she has learnt from Theatretrain and wants to continue to help create safe, non-judgemental environments for others to develop their skills and find their confidence.
Skye Hadley
Musical Director
Skye has been the singing teacher at TheatreTrain Bromsgrove since 2018, and she gained her teacher training certification from New York Vocal Coaching in New York City, under well-established vocal coach, Justin Stoney. She has experience teaching ages 4 up to 70 and loves the challenge and journey of helping people discover how to properly use their voice to the best of their abilities. Skye has also been a professional events vocalist since 2016, performing at weddings, parties, pubs, restaurants and just about everything in between. She loves to bring this real-life performance aspect into her teaching to support the technical aspect, in the hope to create well-rounded, confident performers who can carry these skills into their everyday life.
Lucy Eades
Theatre Director
Ever since she was a toddler, Lucy has always managed to find her way onto a stage. From being angel Gabriel in her primary school’s nativity to performing at the Birmingham Symphony Hall with a national youth orchestra; her passion for performing has grown with the years. When Lucy joined Theatretrain in 2018 and performed in her first big show, ‘Special Measures’ in Nottingham, she didn’t realise how much it would change her life. Lucy says her confidence has grown exponentially, that she has made friends which she knows she will have for the rest of her life: she believes that the skills she’s gained from the weekly sessions and shows have prepared her for life in the adult world. Becoming a teacher at Theatretrain feels like a dream come true for Lucy – she aims to encourage each student to step outside of their comfort zones so they can develop their performance skills, and so their confidence and pride can grow as well; just as hers as done.
Jess Buttery
Junior Ensemble Director
Jess has a First-Class degree in Drama and Performance and has trained under several industry professionals, including freelance director Simon Pittman and The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Lyn Darnley. Jess is a classically trained vocalist and during her degree enjoyed managing the University classical choir.
Jess brings with her a wealth of experience, both on stage and off, having performed in countless shows and she even directed an all-female production of Godspell. Jess enjoys all types of theatre, but her true love is for musical theatre and exploring how emotion can be portrayed through song.
Jess has incredibly fond memories of her own time in youth theatre when she was younger; she understands what Theatretrain can mean and bring to each child. After several years teaching at Theatretrain, Jess continues to enjoy having the chance to inspire a love for theatre in her students. After all, theatre is challenging, eye opening and therefore undoubtedly rewarding.
Kate Harris
Volunteer
Kate has been with Theatretrain Bromsgrove since November 2010, she is most definitely a triple threat as, whilst she cannot dance, act or sing, she has been our Centre Manager, a volunteer and a parent of a past pupil/ teaching assistant of the dance discipline. Kate chooses to volunteer at Theatretrain when she can because she loves to see the children progress in each discipline. Some children she has had the pleasure of seeing grow and mature from the 6-9 group right through to 13+! Kate believes that Theatretrain Bromsgrove is not only about drama, dancing or singing – it’s about having a safe space for the children to confide in, make new friends, and builds confidence.
Kates hobbies are running (up to half marathon level, including Florida, Birmingham and Worcester) adult tap dancing and mindfulness meditation: she also volunteered at the Commonwealth Games this year!
Kate holds a BA Hons Degree in Criminology and Social Policy; she is a licenced Chaperone for Worcestershire County Council and is First Aid trained and is D.B.S. checked at enhanced level, for both children and adults. When not volunteering at Theatretrain, Kate works full time in the community as a Reablement Assistant.
Jenny Coldicott
Volunteer
Jenny has been volunteering at Theatretrain Bromsgrove for 10 years, after a career as a travel consultant -which took her all over the world (we’re so pleased it brought her back again!) Helping with prop making for the commonwealth games 2022 was a new learning curve for Jenny, she is incredibly dedicated and committed and always gives 100% to whatever challenge she takes on. Theatre is Jenny’s passion and Jenny feels it is a privilege to make costumes and help with the children on Saturdays. She feels that watching them grow in confidence, as they perform and become respectful adults, is truly a joy.
Jenny is ‘nanna’ to everyone! Alongside adorning us all in her beautiful, handmade costumes – she is always ready with the tissues and wet-wipes to mop up tears and spills and offer boundless amounts of love and encouragement. We’d all be lost without her!
The Theatretrain Story
Theatretrain was founded on the belief that the performing arts should be accessible to everyone, no matter their age, skill or ability. Our large-scale productions are unique to Theatretrain and invite our students to enjoy the learning experience and be a part of something bigger than themselves.
The world’s your stage at Theatretrain Bromsgrove!
See our session times and book your initial taster below…