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Previous Volunteers' Biogs

Each year Peer Productions recruits a team of young actors. In the main actors work with Peer Productions for one year but occasionally, in special circumstances, volunteers continue to work with the company as graduates.

 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 
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 Birnika
    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 Brewerton 
    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 Carter
    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 Cuzner 
    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 Haysom-Oates
    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 Lane
 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.

Fliss Murdoch
    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 Sewell
    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 Smith
 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 Stephen Springall
 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.

Feedback on Previous Shows

• "...Thanks very much for arranging a great performance..."
• "...I think it was really good...."
• "...I felt that the exclusions project is very sympathetic and understanding..."
• "...an education for young people..."
• "...I learnt a lot..."
• "...I will take away the methods you can use..."