About Theatretrain Colchester
Building Confidence & Training The Next Generation Of Performers…
Hi I'm Sue...
I first became involved in Theatretrain in 2008 when my daughter Lissy joined as a student and, after a few years of being part of the audience, I took on the role of Centre Manager in 2012. Following redundancy from my full-time job as an IT Project Manager in 2017, I seized the opportunity to purchase the Colchester centre and have been Company Director since January 2018.
Although not a performer myself, I have spent many years watching my daughter progress through dance school, Theatretrain and a Musical Theatre degree and I consider this an education in itself which leaves me very well qualified for the role of Company Director! My project management and IT skills also come in very useful at show time as there’s always a need for a spreadsheet.
I have also gained a lot of extra experience volunteering a a local theatre and amateur theatre group. I take on various roles such as working as an usher, on the bar, making and sourcing costumes and other backstage roles.
At theatretrain, I endeavour to ensure that every student gets the opportunity to not only develop their talents in dance, acting and singing, but also to increase their confidence and self-esteem and make new friends with similar interests within the Theatretrain family.
Learn Genuine Theatre Principles While You Make Friends At Theatretrain Colchester
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 Colchester team
Learn more about our team and get to know what we’re all about.
David James
Director of Acting
David trained as an actor at Middlesex University and also has a Diploma in Musical Theatre Performance. These two qualifications plus 15 years of teaching experience mean that he is very well placed to teach at Theatretrain as he can focus both on acting and the important skill of acting through song.
David has also worked for over 20 years within the entertainment industry as a singer and a director. He is the lead singer in a band and also works as a solo artist. He regularly directs for local musical theatre societies, and most recently directed The Sound of Music at the Civic Theatre in Chelmsford.
In David’s directing and teaching, he has always given time to developing characterisation and an understanding of narrative. A performer needs to understand their character to be able to communicate with an audience. As a teacher, David has always given time to help students to be able to audition well and many of his students have gone on to study at drama or musical theatre schools and work within the industry.
David always encourages students to feel confident and to express themselves and more importantly to support each other. He believes that the success of any performance is the teamwork of everyone involved, bringing out the best in all students and providing opportunities for everyone to shine.
Becky Curtis
Choreographer
Becky studied Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap as a child before taking a BA Honours Degree in Dance at the University of Surrey and King Alfred’s College in Winchester where she specialised in choreography and added Contemporary, Kathak, African and Urban to her list of dance styles.
Becky has been teaching since she was 18, offering summer school workshops and festival tuition at her former dance school (Quay School of Dance in Sudbury). She started her formal teaching career in 2006 and is currently Head of Dance at Ipswich High School where she teaches GCSE and A Level Dance as well as curriculum and enrichment dance lessons, musical theatre and trampolining.
Becky has been teaching at Theatretrain since 2010 and has choreographed for many local and national Theatretrain shows including the 25th Anniversary show at the Royal Albert Hall and Oliver! Jr and our more recent shows at the Lakeside Theatre in Colchester. Along with Lissy Campbell (dance teacher at Theatretrain Sudbury) she has choregraphed the choir moves for several national Theatretrain shows, most recently We’re Going To Change The World at the Royal Albert Hall and Once Upon A Time at Sadlers Well .
Becky really looks forward to Theatretrain on Saturdays. She feels very lucky that she gets to do what she loves pretty much every day. Her top tips for success are ‘Smile’, ‘do what you love’, ‘find your core and use it every day’ and finally ‘You are only as good as your last class, routine and show, so bring your ‘A’ game every time’!
Leah Harding-Payne
Musical Director
Leah moved to Colchester in 2015 to study Musical Theatre at University Centre Colchester and after graduating decided to continue living there. She grew up in a very musical family who taught her pretty much everything she knows about music and blessed her with a love and appreciation from a young age.
She has always had a passion for performing but especially for singing, and a love for harmonies. During university she belonged to a harmony singing group called Singdicate Vocal Ensemble and frequently performed pieces with a 12 part harmony.
Leah also works with KYDS youth drama society as Musical Director and has worked on many shows, most recently Seussical and Elf.
Leah has a daughter, Robyn aged three, and fits in one-to-one singing lessons alongside caring for her. She has developed an absolute love of teaching and seeing the improvements children make each week and how their confidence grows.
Grace Grisby
Minis Teacher and Company Manager
Grace is joining us in September 2024. Her photograph and resume will be added in due course.
Sydney Thayer
Minis Assistant
Sydney is an ex-Theatretrain student. She joined Theatretrain with her sister when they were aged approximately 11 and 12 and stayed for around six years. Sydney started covering occasionally in our minis class before taking on the role permanently.
Sydney helps out in our main school at show time, backstage and at extra rehearsals. It’s useful for the children to have someone backstage who understands and has experienced what it’s like to be in a show. She also enjoys watching her younger sister, currently in Group 2 (10-12 year-olds) participating in classes and growing as a performer.
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 Colchester!
See our session times and book your initial taster below…
