Theatretrain Reading
Get to know us
Our theatre classes take place at The Hill School, Reading, where our students come together every Saturday to connect, learn and create in a safe and inspiring environment. Through the performing arts, we give children and young adults the tools they need, not just to reach their potential on stage, but also to thrive at school and lay the foundations for their future.
About Theatretrain Reading
We were established in 2002 and have created a range of exciting theatre events and productions. Highlights have included: Touring to Edinburgh Festival Fringe, receiving 4 star reviews for our production of ALICE, Performance Tours to Disneyland Paris and New York, performing at the iconic Berklee College of Music and exciting large scale productions at the world famous O2 Arena and Royal Albert Hall.
Meet the Theatretrain Reading team
Learn more about our team and get to know what we’re all about.
Meet Tiffany King, your Centre Director
For the past 13 years, Tiffany has led as Artistic/Centre Director of Theatretrain Reading, offering opportunities to our students to train with incredible industry professionals from Film, Television and Theatre as well as performing in iconic spaces including The Royal Albert Hall, O2 Arena, Sadlers Wells, London Palladium, at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Disneyland Paris and New York!!
Tiffany is a passionate theatre maker! She works professionally as a Director, Choreographer, Movement Director, Playwright and Performer.
Recent credits include directing, choreographing and writing RESPECT: THE ARETHA FRANKLIN SONGBOOK which featured a stellar line-up of artists including Olivier Award winning Actress Amber Riley, Mica Paris, Jaki Graham and Cleopatra Higgins (UK Tour and Arena Tour); PETER PAN (Powderham Castle); AN EVENING WITH MRS TERRELL (British Library); PUNCHY, THE MUSICAL, (Courtyard Theatre), JUNGLE BOOK: THE GAME (Vision Arts), ALICE IN WINTER WONDERLAND (Vision Arts); LOCKS (Finastra).
Tiffany (BA) Hons is also a qualified teacher, currently working as Head of Drama/Resident Director at Reddam House, Berkshire for the past 5 years.
‘It is an honour to work with and inspire our students each week at Theatretrain Reading. We take pride in everything we do and we keep raising the bar whilst having so much fun together! If you are new to us, please contact me as I would love to meet you at Theatretrain Reading’ – Tiffany
Shekinah McFarlane
Singing Teacher
Shekinah McFarlane has returned to Theatretrain Reading, direct from playing Anne of Cleves in the hit musical SIX for the past 2.5 years!!
Shekinah is a singer, dancer, writer, songwriter and teacher. She has an incredible amount of experience and energy and can’t wait to hear you all in SINGING!
Recent Theatre Credits include: SIX (National Tour and West End), National Tours of American Idiot, and Tommy, Hair (50th Anniversary Performance) and Parade both at Hope Mill Theatre.
Other Theatre: The Lion King UK and International Tour, Godspell in Concert (Lyric Theatre) Seussical The Musical (Arts Theatre) and Rent (Tabard Theatre)
Insta :shakasing_lcuk
Michelle Hunkin
Dance Teacher/TT Minis Teacher
Michelle started dancing at an early age of three at Beryl Jarvis School of Dance. Her passion and love for dance blossomed which lead to Michelle studying a Musical Theatre and Dance Diploma at Bird College London, gaining all teaching qualifications.
Michelle has been teaching for over 18 years in various schools in Reading.
Michelle was the Artistic Director and Choreographer at Starmaker Theatre Company, choreographing various shows like Cats, High School Musical, Fame and many many more.
Michelle is extremely excited to work with Theatretrain Reading both as our Dance Teacher and TT Minis teacher
Ben Wilson
TT Minis Assistant
Ben started as a student at Theatretrain Reading about 9 years ago. He is passionate about working with young people to inspire them on their performing arts journey. He is currently studying at Urdang.
Blog and Events
Nostalgia Series: Laura Chesworth tells her Theatretrain story in Hagley
Every single student, parent and Theatretrain centre director or teacher has their own Theatretrain story to tell. For our nostalgia blog series today, we hear from Laura Chesworth who shares her story; from her time as a student, teacher and now centre director at Theatretrain Hagley. Over to you, Laura!
Nostalgia Series: Sheena Janssen’s Theatretrain Story in Braintree
Today we hear from Sheena Janssen who brings us her Theatretrain story, one that brought her right back to become a Centre Director herself and open Theatretrain Huntingdon!
International Summer School: Staying the Course
Our Founder and Artistic Director, Kevin Dowsett, recently went to the beautiful Royal Hospital School in Holbrook, Ipswich to see the end of week performance by the annual Theatretrain International Summer School. Here's his take on the experience.
Nostalgia Series: Paris Austin’s Theatretrain Story in Greenwich
For our nostalgia blog series this week, we hear from Paris Austin who attended Theatretrain Greenwich since 13 and now 17 and finishing a level 1 Diploma in Performing Arts at Canterbury College, moving on to level 2 in the new academic year. Over to you, Paris!
Nostalgia Series: Lauren Keeling’s Theatretrain Story from Coventry
We hope you’ve enjoyed the stories we’ve been sharing from previous students in our nostalgia blog series so far. Today, Lauren Keeling from Coventry is sharing her Theatretrain story. Over to you, Lauren!
The importance of kindness for learning
What do students need to optimise their learning and understanding? How do teachers get the best out of their students? At Theatretrain we believe that…
Ask us anything
Want to know more? Just get in touch.