Previous Volunteers' Biogs

Class of 2010-11

After gaining a place on the National Youth Theatre 

summer course of 2009, Gemma Aked-Priestley (18) 

wanted to pursue her love of performing arts.  Theatre 

in Education has always played a key role in Gemma's 

experience, and from a young age she has been 

member of the Oasis Youth Theatre (current winner of 

the All English Theatre Festival).  Throughout this year 

Gemma wants to develop her theatre skills and is 

excited about starting her Arts Award Gold, in which 

she plans to write, direct and choreograph her own 

production.  Next year Gemma plans to obtain a place

at drama school and continue to create and perform. 

Rebecca Alloway (18) returned to Peer Productions after completing her work experience with the company.  She has recently achieved A Levels in English Literature, Drama and Theatre Studies, and Psychology.  By joining Peer Productions Rebecca hopes to develop and enhance her skills.  Next year she will be attending Kent University to study an MDrama for four years.   

After achieving A Levels in Performing Arts,

Maths and Geography, Lauren Edwards (18) has

joined the Peer Productions full time course after being part of the youth theatre since it started in 2006.  With previous additional training in tap dancing and musical theatre, Lauren hopes to discover new skills which will enable her to choose the most appropriate path to follow. 

Rob England (18) has been performing in public for several years as part of Camberley Youth Theatre and STAX performing arts group in Basingstoke.  He is a member of the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat and has just passed his Unarmed Combat and Rapier and Dagger training.  After finishing college with Bs in English Literature, Drama and History, Rob has joined Peer Productions to improve and focus his skills in order to go to drama school next year.  

Alex Maude (19) is an aspiring actor and writer,

and a generally creative individual.  Having been

pointed to Peer Productions by his Alexander 

Technique teacher, Alex is pleased to discover 

such a vibrant, talented group with which to work. He is looking forward to the challenges ahead, whereby he may develop as an actor and as a human being.  He is applying to drama school for next year, and hopes to one day publish a sci-fi or fantasy novel (he currently has three unpublished complete works under his belt). 

  

Simon Overington-Hickford (18) currently lives in

Hertfordshire.  He has wanted to be a performer 

from a young age.  Simon joined Peer Productions after leaving college with a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts.  He is looking forward to developing his performance skills during the coming year.  Simon hopes to go to drama school next year and wants to run his own theatre company in the future. 

Rachel Smith (18), an aspiring actress from Paisley

in Scotland, has had a great passion for acting from 

a young age.  After completing an HNC in Acting and Performance and spending the last year working for a theatre company, she decided to join Peer Productions to enhance her skills as an actress and gain more life experience.  Rachel aims to gain a place at drama school next year to train as a professional actress.  

Anna-Louise Vincent (18) left Farnborough Hill Sixth

Form with A Levels in Music, Drama and Economics, and she was previously part of Peer Productions Youth Theatre.  Anna decided to apply to join the full time course to enhance her acting and theatre skills before applying to drama school next year.

  

Molly Waters (18) has, from a very young age, aspired to pursue a career in the arts.  Following her A Levels, she applied to various drama schools, where she was told she was too young at 17 years old. Peer Productions is the perfect opportunity for her to gain the life experience she needs to follow her dream.  Molly was thrilled to be accepted onto the full time course and cannot wait for the new and exciting opportunities Peer Productions will bring.

Hope Whitchurch (18) is an aspiring musical

theatre actress, who after leaving college came to 

Peer Productions to broaden her skills in different 

disciplines within the creatives industries.  Hope is 

applying to drama schools, with the aim of achieving a place for 

September 2011.   

Class of 2009-10

Shaun Adegbaju (19) has always enjoyed performing arts but has never known how to go about it so decided to take a couple of courses in Business Admin until he found the path to take. Shaun has also enjoyed dance from a young age and would one day love to perform in a musical theatre show.  In the future he would like to go to drama school to study performing  arts, but before seeking higher education he may choose to travel to learn about performing arts in different cultures. 

Tony Chessman (18) is an aspiring actor with a passion for performing arts and theatre. After completing the BTEC Acting National Diploma with straight distinctions and obtaining skills in dance and literature, Tony is keen to pursue a career as a professional actor in the realms of theatre and television. Alternatively he would like to pursuit a career in education, teaching drama and acting to young people. After numerous shows and spending time in various youth theatres including that of The Yvonne Arnaud (Guildford), Tony became inspired to audition for Peer Productions and continue his knowledge of the industry. He believes the training he will receive will prepare him for the next level - drama school. 
   

Matt Collins (18) aims to make films, produce scripts and get  into either LAMDA or RADA to do a BA (Hons) in Drama to then pursue a career in acting and somehow change the face of the world. To a smile.  Matt applied for Peer Productions hoping to  learn new skills and broaden his experience to help him get into drama school.   

Scott Freeman (18) is a young singer/songwriter who has played several venues and recorded in the last six years.  Some of those venues include the Birmingham NEC as well as the city's Carling Academy. Scott has joined Peer Productions in order to build on past acting experience while picking up new skills. He hopes to go forwards with his music, and hopes to gain a better understanding of what career he may want to pursue if he chooses the acting industry.  

Sarah Gibbons (18) has always had an interest in theatre and drama. Sarah finished college with A Levels in Drama,  Photography, English Literature and Geography. She felt that she needed to enhance her skills before going to drama school. She was pointed in the direction of Peer Productions by her drama teacher. She is very much looking forward to the challenges of touring this year. Sarah intends to apply for drama school next year having successfully acquired the skills she needs from this course.  

 

Kirsten Hill (18) moved from Essex to join Peer Productions to expand her knowledge of drama and film skills.  She has performed in a professional theatre in Essex for many years and hopes that the opportunity of performing for and being taught by Peer Productions will help her gain a place at a drama school in the future.  

  

Over the last couple of years Nell King (20) has been working in a part time in a gym as well as auditioning for drama schools.  She is a member of the National Youth Theatre and has  recently done shoots for a pilot show and a music video, but found she wanted to be doing more full on and intensive acting. She wants to gain more theatre experience and training. Working as part of a professional touring company in Peer Productions will give her this experience. When Nell leaves Peer Productions she will continue to pursue a career as an actress.

   

Katherine Morgan (21) has joined Peer Productions to develop her skills across the board in the performing arts, especially behind the scenes.  Katherine has recently relocated from Stratford-upon-Avon after spending a year training in acting, singing and dance.  Katherine aspires to go to drama  school and eventually establish her own theatre company.    

Annabel Morley (18) has recently completed her A Levels in Drama, Art, Music and English Literature. She has performed, directed and produced a variety of productions whilst studying and has recently achieved her Grade 8 in Flute.  Annabel has also toured Europe and played concerts for a number of years with a youth wind orchestra.  She hopes to gain the experience, skills and training she needs with Peer Productions in order to pursue drama and acting further at drama school.   

  

Loren Saunders (17) had been a member of several various youth theatre groups from the age of six putting on many different  productions for the public.  Loren joined Peer Productions to further her knowledge and skills in the arts and to prepare herself for drama school and ultimately a career in acting.  

Vicky Shillingford (19) has long had the intention to be a performer. Having started dance lessons at a young age, she soon went on to explore both singing and acting, taking part in a number of school productions. Vicky wanted to broaden her performance and production skills before applying for drama school and had heard of Peer Productions through one of last year's volunteers. She looks forward to all the opportunities and new experiences Peer Productions has to offer.   

  

Nathan Trapnell (19) left Andover College with a

 BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts. After

 working full time for a year to save up for his gap year, Nathan has joined Peer Productions to further

 his skills as an actor and learn more about other key disciplines.  

Siobhan Wallis (19) came to Peer Productions this year, having been trained in Musical Theatre and been told by Drama Schools she needed more life experience. Peer Productions is giving her just that, as well as professional acting experience and the opportunity to learn a range of new skills that will help her to be more successful in future auditions.  

 Class of 2008-09 

 

Paul Baverstock joined Peer Productions in 2008 having previously studied Drama at Brunel University. He has taken part in many theatre productions and short films in his career. Paul joined Peer Productions to expand his drama skills and working with children in the community. Next year Paul wants to attend drama school to further his career as an actor.  

 

Jack Everson is a trained dancer reaching a top qualification in R.A.D Classical Ballet. He has had the chance to be part of both professional shows and films. Jack's love for the arts brought him to Peer Productions as a perfect Gap Year opportunity. The training that he will receive at Peer Productions will help him gain the skills and understanding for drama school. 

 

Bethan Francis is an aspiring actor and singer/songwriter. After completing a Diploma in both Performing Arts and Music Theatre (both with distinctions) Bethan took six months travelling round South East Asia. On returning she was keen to continue her training and jumped at the  chance to join Peer Productions. She is loving the opportunities now available to her and hopes the experience gained will provide her with the skills that will enable her to be accepted into drama school.

 

Lydia Fraser aged 19 has always been interested in drama and took A level Performing Arts at Farnborough Sixth Form. Lydia felt that a gap year would help before auditioning for drama school (Musical Theatre degree). Lydia felt that more direction was needed for auditions, heard of Peer Productions through a family friend and felt it would be a good chance to improve and grow before drama school.

 

Emma Mitchell decided to join Peer  Productions to advance her career as an actress. Having studied Drama, English Literature and Psychology at A level and wanting to go to drama school she was unsure what to do. Peer Productions is giving her the advice, training and experience she needed. Emma is now looking forward to touring 3 plays with Peer Productions this year and the other opportunities around the corner. 

Robin Rathbone has been involved in Youth Theatre since he was 14, and hasn't stopped acting since. He came out of college in July 2008 with A levels in Drama and Performing Arts. He seeks to further his skills and experience with Peer Productions for a year then hopes to move onto drama school.

 

Dan Reeves was born in Southampton and has been part of Eastleigh Borough Youth Theatre since the age of 8. Last year, he set up his own theatre company called 'Contemposcape' and put on a productions of 'Sucking Dublin' by Erda Walsh. He was part of the original West End cast of 'Citizenship' by Mark Ravenhill and studied Performing Arts and Art: Film and Video at Barton Peveril College. Dan joined Peer Productions to gain more experience in drama skills. Dan hopes to do a BA in Theatre at drama school.

Chris Russell graduated from ACS Cobham in June 2008 with an IB certificate in Theatre Arts, and he had no plans for the next year other than apply to Drama school and work to save money. Thankfully in October he was given the chance to join Peer Productions, he now has a pretty good idea of what he wants to do for a career. 

 

 Class of 2007-08 

  

Chris Aukett has been involved with Peer Productions since January 2007. He was involved in raising the funds to set up the course. He has joined the full time course in September 2007 and is sure the course will give him the experience needed to get into drama school. As an aspiring actor it is the performance opportunities which most appeal to him however he is keen to learn about all aspects of the performing arts. 

    Margarita was born in Russia and grew up in Latvia moving to the UK in her teens. She has always been interested in the arts and on leaving college worked in fashion for two years. She decided to audition for Peer Productions because she wanted to develop her performing arts skills and was excited by the opportunity of working with children. After the course Margarita hopes to pursue a career in acting. 

  

    Dan (18) previously completed a 1st Diploma in Acting at BrooklandsCollege before taking a year out to undertake professional voice over work with 20th Century Fox, BBC and Disney. He decided to join the course because in addition to the acting opportunities he was keen to work with disadvantaged groups and use his skills to make a difference in his community. He is enjoying the arts award gold work and is working with Anthony Springall to create a new musical called Young at War (Link). Next year Dan will be studying at The American Academy of Drama Arts. 

    Michelle AKA Pingu first worked with Peer Productions when she took part in their holiday workshop last February. Despite initially lacking confidence, Michelle worked extremely hard to prepare an audition and was delighted to be offered a place. She decided to join Peer Productions for her GAP year because she wanted to work with children and to prove, to herself above all others, that she can do it. 

    Matt (18) first discovered his love for he arts when he joined a youth theatre group at 13. Through a tour of The Laramie Project around schools in Surrey and Berkshire, he realised the full potential of the arts as an opportunity to present political arguments and make a difference in or society. When he was involved in setting up the Peer Productions course, he decided this was something he wanted to join, as it gave him a brilliant opportunity to make a difference and develop his passion for drama. Next year Matt will be studying Drama and Education at Central School of Speech and Drama. 

    Leah (17) decided to join the course after the company toured to her college last year and she was delighted to be offered a place. She is a keen dancer and is about to take her final dance exams at the end of this year. She was attracted to the course as she hopes to pursue a career as a performer and wanted the opportunity to get some real experience working with like minded, hard working individuals. Next year Leah will be studying at The American Academy of Drama Arts. 

 Kirsty joined Peer Productions in January 2007. She is 20 years old and before joining Peer Productions she studied English Literature, Media Studies, Film Studies, Music Technology and Theology at A-Level and spent some time taking Jazz, Singing and Acting classes at the G.S.A. Saturday school. She has a great interest in music and films; sings in a band and made her own short film as part of her Arts award Gold Certificate. She also has an interest in Circus skills. 

    Felicity Murdoch joined Peer Productions in January 2007 having taken part in raising funds to set up the course. She has A levels in Drama, Sociology and Media and during 2006 she was a member of the cast of The Laramie Project playing Reggie Fluty and toured schools raising awareness about homophobia. Last year she completed her Gold Arts Award and is now working within Peer Productions and producing The Homophobia Project feature film. 

    Denis joined Peer Productions in January 2007, He played a key role in the making of the video that raised money for the course to go ahead. He has performed in 'War of the Worlds' with a company called Chicken-Shed, in Woking Rhoda McGraw theatre. He Has recently played Lord Asriel in 'His Dark Materials part 1' and had a technical role as well. He had a major role in the 2 plays that toured around all the schools in surrey. Denis has learnt so much so quickly after being out of education for 4 years. Denis is also a drummer in a band, a footballer and loves the technical side of theatre as well. Denis hopes in the future to become a youth worker heavily involving drama activities. In 2007 he toured two productions to schools across Surrey and now the The Homophobia Project is being made in to a film he is going to be involved in pre and post production as well as filming. 

 Sian (18) has always been interested in the arts and felt that this course will be able to give her a good opportunity to gain experience in many of its forms, as it offers a wide range of skills and performance opportunities. The course has a lot of variety and this allows its students to follow their interests and passions. 

 Anthony (18) is an aspiring actor, singer and musician. He was previously a member of Peer Productions' youth theatre where he created two original scores for their double bill of His Dark Materials Part1 and 2. He joined the full time course in September 2007 and is enjoying the wide range of performance opportunities available to him. He is currently working towards his Arts award Gold and for his leadership project he is working with Dan Brewerton to create a new musical called Young at War (Link) which will debut in May 2007. Next year Anthony will be studying at East 15. 

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