Faculty
Going above and beyond
All Guildford Theatre School teachers are passionate and approachable. They have been specially selected because they are experts in their field and in education.
Ongoing development is encouraged in many ways, including...
Expectation of achievement of relevant nationally recognised qualifications.
Engaging our staff in regular formal and informal reflective practices and skill sharing opportunities.
Encouraging our staff to enjoy ongoing training opportunities that benefit learning and teaching of theatre practice.
DBS checked, first aid qualified, committed to safeguarding
All of our staff are registered Chaperones, DBS Enhanced checked. All venues will be staffed with a qualified first aider and mental health first aider. The school Principal is the school’s Designated Safeguard Lead. All our staff are committed to the protection and safeguarding of young people.
Principal and Founder
Anna McNamara
BA MA Ed phd ATCL AISTD (DDE) FRSA PFHEA NTF
Anna has a BA Theatre Studies from Rose Bruford College following her training in musical theatre at the Guildford School of Acting (GSA), an MA in Education and a PhD in Actor Training from GSA. Anna has achieved Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) from the University of Gloucestershire, is a member of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and holds an Associate Diploma from Trinity College London in Principles of Instrumental/Vocal Teaching. She is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE (PFHEA) in recognition of her sustained record of effective strategic leadership and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). Anna is a qualified first aider, a qualified mental health first aider and a registered chaperone. In 2023, she was named as a finalist for Creative Businesswoman in the Great British Businesswoman Awards.
As a performer she appeared in numerous commercials, voiceovers and photographic shoots, performed in ten pantomimes, taking leading roles in many, and in concerts, galas and cabarets at venues including the Royal Festival Hall and Sadler’s Wells. She has directed and choreographed for numerous fringe venues in London, regional venues and as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. As a writer, her plays for children have been performed across the UK and as far afield as South Africa.
Proudly teaching since 1999, she has been a teacher of acting, dance, drama, theatre and singing. An award winning teacher, Anna has been awarded National Teaching Fellow (NTF) for her impact and innovation work across the creative industries and education sector. Anna was also recipient of the University of Surrey Vice-Chancellor’s award for the University of Surrey Teacher of the Year. A much published academic and speaker, Anna has published and presented internationally on performance and education and is editor of the books Be The Change: Learning and Teaching for the Creative Industries, Inspire: Learning for Teaching in Higher Education, Actor Trainers on Acting: For the Twenty-First Century, The Women Who Shaped UK Actor Training.
For 13 years, Anna worked at the Guildford School of Acting, where she was a Professor and served as Head of School, Director of Learning and Teaching, Director of Student Experience and Director of Internationalisation, Partnerships and Outreach. Anna has also taught at Arts Educational School London, Battersea Arts Centre, London Academy of Performing Arts, Pinnacle Academy Overseas Workshops (Italy, Spain and Greece), Polka Children’s Theatre, PPAcademy, Redroofs Theatre School, Stagecoach Theatre Arts (in the UK and in Majorca, as well as serving as a teacher trainer both in the UK and in Germany) and St. Mary’s School, Ascot, where she was Teaching and Learning Coordinator and she has been an examiner for AQA GCSE Drama. She has been an external advisor for the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Goldsmiths University, University Arts Bournemouth, Colchester Institute and Drama Studio London. Anna has been an adjudicator for the UK Rock Challenge and the IAPS Surrey Drama Festival and has served as a school governor across primary, secondary and Further Education settings in both the state and independent sector across the country.
Anna produced the annual Easter and Summer Theatre Schools at The Theatre at the Mill, Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland from 2010 to 2020. She is also the founder of the Guildford Summer Youth Project, running put on a show workshops since 2008.
“Saturday is without a doubt my favourite day of the week. Each and every class brings so much joy. I founded GTS in 2010 as I wished to enable an environment where young people could aspire to excellence through fun and fulfilling stretch and challenge. I love watching the young people of GTS achieve extraordinary things through collaboration, hard work and playfulness. I am so proud that my own two children grew up through the school too!”
Deputy Principal and Senior Teacher
Louise Clayton
BA (Hons)
Louise’s introduction to acting was through the National Youth Music Theatre which she joined at a young age and performed in many of their productions in various venues around the UK including The Edinburgh Festival, Glyndebourne and Buckingham Palace. She was also invited by them to perform at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 50th Birthday Celebrations at The Royal Albert Hall. She graduated from Mountview Theatre School with a BA Hons in Performing Arts. Louise is a qualified first aider and registered chaperone and is currently completing her Licentiate qualification in teaching with Trinity College London.
Since leaving Mountview, she has played the role of Linda in Blood Brothers in both the West End and on tour. Other professional performance credits include, Popcorn by Ben Elton at The Liverpool Playhouse, The Emperor and the Nightingale at The Watermill Theatre, Dick Whittington (Alice) and Jack and the Beanstalk (Princess), both at Exeter’s Northcott Theatre and Aladdin (Princess Jasmine) at The Gaiety Theatre, Isle of Man. Louise has also performed in various concerts throughout the UK.
Louise works full time in a primary school setting, but Louise’s greatest achievement by far however, was the birth of her two children. Louise joined the Guildford Theatre School team in 2015.
“I love GTS because every Saturday I get to share my love of musical theatre with amazing and inspiring people. Every one of those stars shine brightly in their own special way and there is no limit to what they can achieve.”
Teachers
Hollie Bloomfield
Dip Tcl
Hollie trained at Bodywork Cambridge, graduating with a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance. Hollie is a registered chaperone and a qualified first aider.
As a professional dancer, Hollie has enjoyed contracts with Legoland Windsor and Chessington World of Adventures and has performed as a dancer for Ellen Kent Opera and Move It!. She has also enjoyed working as a choreographer, most recently for Godalming College’s production of Spring Awakening.
Hollie is a former student of the Guildford Theatre School, having attended for many years, and is thrilled to have come home to GTS in 2022, this time on the faculty.
“I love GTS because it is like one big family which, when I was a student at GTS, gave me the confidence to follow my dreams and pursue a professional career in dance. I enjoy being able to see the students with the same smiles I had on my face walking into GTS every Saturday.”
Lauren Pascolutti
dip tcl BA (Hons)
Lauren trained as a professional performer at Bird College and Bodywork, Cambridge. She graduated with a BA (Hons) Theatre from the Guildford School of Acting and holds a Level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre. Lauren is a registered chaperone, a qualified first aider and mental health first aider and is currently studying for her Diploma in Dance Education in Tap and Modern with the ISTD.
As a professional dancer and model, Lauren has gained a wealth of experience in modelling and corporate entrainment. As a teacher, she has taught for Perform and for Greenfield Prep School teaching musical theatre, drama and dance.
Lauren began as a student at the Guildford Theatre School and Guildford Summer Youth Projects in 2009, and taught on the school’s Easter and Summer workshops in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland and Guildford Summer Youth Projects from 2015. Lauren joined the Guildford Theatre School faculty in 2019 and is delighted to return home to her former school as a teacher.
“What I love most about GTS is it’s supportive, family feel. I joined GTS as a student when it opened in 2010. GTS felt like one big family that supported me in the lead up and throughout my professional training and 13 years later I am still here, having progressed to teaching for GTS and I still see the incredible sense of community across the whole school each week!”
Amie Shipley
Amie is currently in her final year at the Guildford School of Acting studying a BA Hons in Musical Theatre. Prior to this she competed an Extended Diploma in Musical Theatre at Birmingham Ormiston Academy, alongside qualifications in Musical Theatre Singing, Speech and Drama, and Professional Shakespeare. Amie is a qualified chaperone and is working towards her Mental Health First aider qualification.
Professionally, she has performed in various regional pantomimes and is also a current member of the National Youth Music Theatre as both a performer and a member of the ‘Readers Panel’ working closely with current industry professionals to workshop new musicals and create theatre. Within this year’s NYMT season Amie performed at the Student Sondheim Performer Of The Year Award and completed a sold out run of Into The Woods at the Southwark Playhouse. Alongside NYMT, Amie is a member of the Young Vic Genesis Project, where she is really enjoying getting to work with and learn from current creatives and teachers in the industry.
Amie has choreographed and served as Assistant Director for numerous youth productions. As a teacher Amie has taught both classes and a variety of workshops in singing and acting at venues around her home base in the West Midlands, seeing children from the ages of 4-18 successfully through examinations, festivals, competitions and performances. She is thrilled to have become part of the GTS faculty in 2023.
“I am so excited to have joined the GTS family and see everyone each Saturday! GTS is such a warm and inviting place and I love being a part of that team!”
“The level of care and expertise at GTS is simply outstanding. I know my son is learning in a safe, supportive and happy atmosphere and that is all down to the GTS team.”
HAPPY GTS PARENT
School Administrators
Chloe Coombes
CERT HE
Chloe is currently studying on the BA (Hons) Applied and Contemporary Theatre programme at the Guildford School of Acting, where she has also enjoyed professional placements working on outreach and marketing. Previously, she completed a Foundation course in Acting at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts where she discovered her love for writing and a budding interest in theatre making. Her writing was part of the 2020 Make It SO festival with Nuffield Southampton Theatres, where she previously performed as a member of the chorus in The Shadow Factory in 2018 and 2019. In 2024, she wrote and staged her play Tea, at the Bread and Roses Theatre, previously performed at the Baron’s Court Theatre in 2023. Chloe joined GTS in 2022.
“I love GTS because of the joy classes bring to students and staff every Saturday.”
Josie Flack
Josie is currently studying in her first year at Laine Theatre Arts on the Musical Theatre Diploma and is very excited to have started her professional training. Josie has been studying ballet, jazz, tap, singing and drama from a very young age. Throughout her life she has been a part of many college and theatre school productions with leading parts and dance captain roles, with shows including, Six, Betty Blue Eyes, Soho Cinders, 9to5 and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Alongside this experience, she has enjoyed assisting children through many successful performances at stage schools. Josie is so excited to have joined the GTS team in 2024.