About us

Crafting Tomorrow’s Stars, Today.

Showcase and develop your talent

From a humble dream to a trailblazing institution, Star Theatre Academy began with a passion for the performing arts. We believe in the power of theatre, music, dance, and film to not only entertain but to enlighten, educate, and inspire. Over the years, we’ve stayed committed to nurturing young talents, allowing them to find their voice and stage to shine.

 

Our vision

At Star Theatre Academy, our vision is clear: to impact one million children each year, and set the gold standard in performing arts education. Through our unique franchise model, we aim to bring world-class training to every corner of the globe, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, gets an opportunity to embrace and excel in the performing arts.

Our mission

We’re not just any performing arts school. We stand apart with our child-led approach, ensuring every learner leads their journey, fosters their creativity, and develops a holistic understanding of the arts. Every lesson, every stage, every applause is crafted to empower our students to lead, innovate, and inspire.

Our community

At the heart of Star Theatre Academy is our vibrant community. A blend of passionate educators, eager learners, supportive parents, and alumni who’ve made their mark in the performing arts world. Together, we celebrate successes, learn from challenges, and continuously evolve to reach new heights.

why star theatre academy

Our commitment to excellence, a forward-thinking curriculum, an environment that fosters creativity and confidence, and a legacy of producing stars are just a few reasons. But beyond all, it’s our unwavering belief in every student’s potential that makes us the premier choice for performing arts education.

our team

Behind the magic of Star Theatre Academy stands a dedicated and passionate team of professionals. Our instructors hail from diverse backgrounds in theatre, dance, music, and film, bringing with them a wealth of experience and a shared passion for teaching. Each member is committed to creating an enriching environment, fostering the unique talents of every student, and guiding them on their path to success in the performing arts. Beneath each portrait or in a drop-down style, brief bios can be added to provide more personal insights into the instructors’ experiences and qualifications.

daniel Hatton

principle and joint founder

After dancing since the age of 8 years old, Daniel trained in Bradford, West Yorkshire until having the opportunity to train at the prestigious stage school, Urdang Academy in London. At the start of his third year he had a successful audition for Andrew Lloyd Webbers musical, Starlight Express with the choreographer Arlene Phillips. Upon completion Daniel was lucky enough to then travel on board Royal Caribbean cruise liners in the Bahamas as a lead vocalist. During the Covid pandemic Daniel has undertaken his Teacher Training and now shares his passion of musical theatre with students in Leeds.

emma macfayden

principle and joint founder

Emma has always had a passion for the arts and has been performing on stage since the age of 6.
She attended Scala school of performing arts and performed in various shows whilst there.
She then went on to graduate with a degree in Acting from the Performance Academy at Newcastle College.
Since then Emma has worked all over the UK in theatre, tv and theatre in education.
When asked to create the performing arts programme at United Education, Emma  knew it would be the perfect place to continue encouraging the next generation of kids to develop their confidence, learn new skills and embrace their passion for the arts.

Emma is also a trained makeup, hair, theatrical and special effects artist- working in theatre, tv and film.

sonia wrightson

theatre teacher

Sonia has always had a passion for performing. She has competed in dance completions whilst in high school. She then professionally trained as an actor and attended Anglia Ruskin university from 2012-2015. She graduated with a BA honours degree in performing arts. Since graduating she has had a variation of different acting roles from theatre to tv. She thoroughly enjoys being a leader in the star programme. Teaching and encouraging children to gain new skills and confidence.

josh hemmingway

theatre teacher

emily and oli

administrator

On the lookout for new talented instructors

At Star Theatre Academy, we’re always on the lookout for vibrant, talented instructors who can join our mission to sculpt the next generation of performing artists. If you’re passionate about the arts and have a knack for teaching, we would love to hear from you. Be a part of our dynamic team and play a pivotal role in shaping dreams and inspiring young talents.

Contact us