About Theatretrain Southampton
Building Confidence & Training The Next Generation Of Performers…
Hi, I'm Viki Theatretrain Southamptons centre director!
As of December 2024 I am the new Company Director here at Theatretrain Southampton.
Since a young age I have always loved to keep busy and active and loved the performing arts. With over 20 years experience in the dance and performing arts industry I was so excited when the opportunity arose to take over Theatretrain Southampton as Company director after, working at the company as a Drama teacher since September 2023.
I truly believe that performing comes from true soul, passion and freedom. I always say that being YOU really is your super power. To me, nothing beats that feeling of being free and bringing your own flair to the performing arts world. Each person has their own aura and I love to discover and nurture this as well as self belief in each of my students.
Theatretrain Southampton is a place where children enjoy their professional theatre training in a fun and creative way, whilst performing in a safe, welcoming and inspiring environment.
MEET THE TEAM
Abi Aveson
Dance teacher and Choreographer
Abi has been dancing since the age of four, studying a variety of genres such as; Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Musical Theatre and Commercial. Abi graduated in 2023 with a First Class BA (hons) degree in dance from the University of Winchester, which focused predominantly in Contemporary and Jazz dance, during which she worked with a number of industry professionals.
Throughout her years as a dancer she has performed with companies such as the English Youth Ballet and Avant Garde Dance Company; she has also had the honour of performing onstage at the O2 arena.
Abi says that being in the industry has taught her just how unique and special every individual is, dance has also shown her the importance of self love and inner belief, these are qualities that Abi wants to inspire and bestow in the upcoming generations of dancers.
Gabby Holloway
Drama teacher and Acting director
Gabby has been performing since the age of 4, training in dancing, singing and acting throughout the entirety of her childhood. After graduating with a BA honours Musical Theatre, Gabby went on to work on some musical theatre tours and new contemporary plays on London’s West End. Gabby left the profession to pursue a career in teaching, and is currently the Curriculum Leader Performing Arts in a secondary school in Southampton. Gabby will be a new addition to the team from January 2025 working alongside Viki to create some new exciting Drama content. We are so excited to have Gabby on board.
Jan Lyon
Singing teacher and vocal coach
Jan is a professional performer having worked as a singer as well as in film and theatre in both America and England.
Jan is a passionate teacher, believing that building confidence should underpin everything she does. Jan is the Founding Principal of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Farnham, running this successful Performing Arts School from 1999 until 2013. Jan was Head of Drama at a prep school in Winchester, Hampshire from 2016 to 2023 and Co-Principal of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Reading West from 2013 to 2022. Jan co-founded MovieMakers!! film-making holiday workshops. She is a great asset to the team and is an experienced singing teacher. Jan has taught for various performing arts schools and successfully prepared numerous students of all ages and abilities for LAMDA Examinations, Auditions, Speeches, Presentations and GCSE and A Level Practical examinations.
We are so excited to welcome Jan to our team from January 2026.
The Minis Company teachers (Teaching students between 3-5 years of age)
Lorna Green
Centre Assistant and Minis Assistant
Lorna has been a part of Theatretrain Southampton for several years. She helps to look after the welfare of our students whilst they are attending the classes and helps to settle in new students. From January 2025 Lorna also became the new Mini’s assistant teacher! She’s also nifty with a glue gun when it comes to making props for show time!
Rachel Bines
Early years and Minis teacher (From March 2026)
Rachel has been dancing singing and acting from a young age and loves sharing her passions through teaching both adults and children. Attending musical theatre sessions since she was a child, Rachel has great experience in the progressions through musical theatre and fantastic, fresh ideas to elevate students training in the performing arts.
Some of Rachel’s experience also includes training in Ballet & freestyle, successfully taking exams, performing in shows and competing across the country. Rachel also did workshops with Junior Jones and Brian Rogers at his performers college as well as Birmingham NEC for the make a wish foundation. In addition to this Rachel has experience in performing in a street dance music video which was created at The Point to be shown in schools as a part of a positive campaign.
When still in school herself, in her GCSE year she ran an after school drama club for the younger year 7 pupils and also taught an after school disco dance class at a local primary school. This is where her love and passion for teaching started.
Rachel has a 1st class BA Honours degree in Media with cultural studies. Rachel chose this course as it covered modules such as script writing, advertising, photoshop graphic design, film production, and the cultural significance of theatre, musicals, literature & film in the 20th century. She has also recently qualified as a Zumba and Zumba gold instructor successfully delivering classes each week as well as attending fitness and dance classes herself. She has been learning to Tap dance since 2023! She attends classes both at Enjoy fitness in Otterbourne and Sarker Danceworks in Winchester.
Some of Rachel’s hobbies include attending Rock Choir where she regularly learns 3 new songs every term & performs at local events.
As a previously painfully shy child herself Rachel strongly believes in the confidence & self esteem building powers of the performing arts & is excited to be joining the Theatretrain Southampton team. She strives to create a safe & welcoming space for our youngest pupils to creatively express themselves, nurturing their self confidence, helping them grow & realise their capabilities.
Cover and Workshop teachers on the Theatretrain Southampton team
Immie Crabtree
Cover teacher for both Main Company and Minis Company
Immie is an acting, singing, and dance teacher and performer. She trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where she graduated in 2022, and has been in a number of films and TV series. Main credits include: Call The Midwife (BBC), Made in Chelsea (Channel 4), Greatest Days (Prime), Never Let Me Go (Disney), and Better Man (Paramount), where she worked with the director of The Greatest Showman! When she’s not performing, Immie is busy running her own business, Imagination Time Studio, where she coaches 1:1 singing, acting, piano and guitar lessons, as well doing parties and events. On top of this, Immie works for 4 different theatre companies as a performing arts facilitator.
Josh Robinson
Cover teacher for Main Company singing & leads vocal coaching workshops
Josh is an enthusiastic voice teacher, performance coach and choir director, working with amateurs and professionals across the country.
Josh studied voice studies & performing arts at the University of Winchester where he looked at practices of voice and arts from different methodologies from around the globe. This has allowed him to work closely with highly recognised voice pedagogues within the field of voice – this ignited a flame in his heart to teach. Singing is a form of expression and communication like no other, and Josh enjoys nothing more than allowing singers to find their vocal freedom and confidence through the power of song and transferring this to both individual singers and choirs.
Josh is thrilled to be working for Theatre Train Southampton and is looking forward to working alongside young performers to help them explore their creative potential.
Performing credits include Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 (Canterbury Cathedral) Gloria! & John Rutter’s Magnificat (Winchester Cathedral), Bob Chilcott’s Salisbury Vespers (Leeds Cathedral), Hector Berlioz: Grande Messe des morts (Birmingham Symphony Hall), Bedfordshire Big Band (Main stage arena Twinwoods Festival) Birdseye advert (2008 TV advert)
Learn Genuine Theatre Principles While You Make Friends At Theatretrain Southampton
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.
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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 Southampton!
See our session times and book your initial taster below…
