Meet the Drama School Team

Get to know the teachers and staff that make Articulate Drama School an amazing training ground for talent.

Stacey Burrows

Managing Director & Founder

Stacey Burrows

Hi, I’m Stacey and I founded Articulate in 2013 with the sole aim of empowering young people across the country.

I have a few strings to my bow – I’m an ex-lawyer, I’ve played semi-pro rugby and I run the busy Articulate offices alongside being a mum to a cheeky toddler!

I love traveling, hiking, and I’m a total foodie who loves to find new exciting restaurants.

HANNAH FOUASSIER

DRAMA SCHOOL MANAGER

Hannah Fouassier

Hi, I’m Hannah, and I manage the drama school. My love of the arts started as a child where I attended drama school and took part in numerous stage shows.

My passion for performing led me to Disneyland Paris as a young adult, where I spent several years dancing in parades and portraying beloved Disney characters! I love seeing the Articulate children grow in confidence and forming strong friendships.

Outside of work, you’ll catch me at a theatre, in a spa or spending time with my two wonderful children.

Kirsty Armstrong

SCREEN ACTING TUTOR

Kirsty Armstrong

Hi, I’m Kirsty! I started acting professionally as a child before going on to study Theatre and Performance at Leeds University – Bretton Hall College. Since graduating in 2009 I have worked extensively as a television actress, enjoying a wide variety of roles in shows such as Ashes to Ashes, Waterloo Road, The Moorside, Casualty, and My Mad Fat Diary.

Alongside my own acting career, I’ve proudly taught screen acting at Articulate since 2013. I love developing new talent, sharing industry insights, and above all seeing children’s confidence, and self esteem flourish.Articulate students past and present mean the world to me, and I get so much pride from seeing them use the skills they have learnt in classes either out in the performance industry, or in other fields of life and work. Aside from work I am a busy mum of two girls, enjoy fitness, holidays, and family time!

Lee Otway

SCREEN ACTING TUTOR

Lee Otway

Hi, I’m Lee! I started acting at the age of 12 when I was cast as Mickey Randall in ITV’s Heartbeat. As a child, I performed in productions like the national tour of Evita and Wozzeck with Opera North. I won ‘Most Promising Young Actor’ at 13 and went on to play Bombhead in Hollyoaks for four and a half years.

After taking a break to focus on education, I earned a master’s in film production, and later a PG Dip in Education and Training. Recently, I’ve appeared in Doctors (BBC), The Crown (Netflix), and Meet the Richardsons (Dave).

I’ve been teaching at Articulate Drama School for five years now, and I love working with such talented students!

Michelle Whelan

exams officer

Michelle Whelan

Hi, I’m Michelle and I manage LAMDA exams, Festival entries and Celebration events at Articulate. I was a Business and Maths teacher for many years but always had a keen interest in the theatre and so this role is perfect for me! Outside of work I enjoy going to gigs and seeing shows. My favourite parts of the job are seeing our fantastic students showcasing their talents at the Celebration Events, and sending out our (always fantastic) exam results.

Edie Newman

Screen acting Tutor

Edie Newman

Hi, I’m Edie! I have worked in both theatre and screen, appearing opposite David Tennant & Elliot Levey in ‘Good’ in the West End. My credits include Nachtland (Young Vic West End), Good (The Harold Pinter West End), Leopoldstadt (Wyndham’s Theatre West End), JEW…ish (Gilded Balloon Edinburgh Fringe), Broken (The Old Red Lion) – Offie Nominated for Best Actress. Hard Cell (Netflix), Doctors (BBC),The Distant Sea (BFI, Film London).

I like to think I have as a wealth of industry knowledge and love to help students with focused scene work for screen, audition prep, drama school auditions and general acting fun!

Amy Battle

Screen Acting Tutor

Amy Battle

Hi, I’m Amy! I teach Screen Acting at Articulate. My background is in TV and I have been a professional actress since I was 15, navigating the ups and downs of the entertainment industry. I trained at the Manchester School of Acting and studied Performing Arts at Newcastle University. My passion is to nurture the talent of the children I teach, helping them to grow in confidence, self love / belief and be the best that they can be.

I adore the children at Articulate and love helping them develop and grow their talent. It makes my heart sing to see such talent succeeding in and out of the industry.

At home I am the proud mum of my two teenage children and love walking our two dogs with my husband when we get free time. As a family we love to travel and spend quality time together.

Gillian Rea

LAMDA & Public Speaking Tutor

Gillian Rea

Hi, I am Gillian. Originally from Northern Ireland, I have been teaching LAMDA Acting and Public Speaking with Articulate for 5 years. Previously, I was Head of Drama at an independent school where I directed many school productions including: ‘Our House’, ‘Grease’, ‘Oliver’ and ‘Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

Whenever I can, I love outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking and open swimming.

I love being part of the Articulate team and it is a privilege to be able to use creative and imaginative teaching methods, to enable our talented students to develop their performance skills and to flourish and succeed in life generally but also in the professional world of acting.

Chris Chilton

LAMDA & Public Speaking Tutor

Chris Chilton

Hi, I’m Chris. I’m an actor and writer who has worked in TV and Theatre for over 25 years and my credits include Emmerdale, Coronation Street and the RSC. I teach LAMDA Drama & Public Speaking at Articulate.

I am very passionate about developing skills for young people and seeing them thrive. I truly believe that the process of gaining qualifications through LAMDA examinations, equips young people with skills for life. Outside of work, I love to travel and eat cakes baked by my daughter!

Meg Elsegood

Performing Arts & Singing Teacher

Meg Elsegood

Hi, I’m Meg and I teach Performing Arts and 1-1 Singing at Articulate. I have been teaching here for four years. I graduated from Performing Arts College in 2019 and I currently undertake a range of work alongside my work at Articulate, including performing in professional theatre productions and directing youth musicals.

I love the enthusiasm, dedication and camaraderie in the Articulate Performing Arts classes and love to see our students shine on stage.

Outside of work I enjoy running and enter marathons as often as I can.

Catherine Smith

Centre Coordinator for Bingley

Catherine Smith

Hi, I’m Catharine and I’m the Centre Coordinator at Bingley. I’m a mother of two grown up sons and a 9 year old daughter who is a pupil at Articulate, so I’ve seen first hand the confidence and creativity our classes inspire. I also work in a local primary school as a Teaching Assistant, where I support children’s learning and development – experience that fits directly with my role at Articulate and helps me create a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for our students.

At the centre, I work closely with our wonderful teachers to ensure everything runs smoothly, with safeguarding at the heart of everything we do.

Outside of work, I love visits to the theatre, watching live music, cooking, and exploring new places with my family.

Julie Newton

Centre Coordinator for Baildon & Ilkley

Julie Newton

Hi, I’m Julie and I work as the Centre Coordinator at both the Ilkley and Baildon venues.

I love seeing the passion and enthusiasm of the children each week and enjoy seeing their confidence grow and how they develop as young people.

Outside of work I am a keen runner and a big animal lover, especially dogs and horses. I love eating out, holidays and spending time with my three wonderful step children.

Rachael Barnes

Centre Coordinator for Harrogate

Rachael Barnes

Hi, I’m Rachael the Centre Coordinator at Harrogate. My love of drama started in my teens, when I became very involved in the local theatre in Knaresborough, the Frazer Theatre – I even met my husband there! As the centre coordinator for Harrogate I assist the teacher each week, carry out the register, answer any questions, and take care of any safeguarding issues or first aid if the need arises.

I’m a 1:1 Teaching Assistant by day, so I love working with the larger groups at Articulate and seeing their skills develop and confidence grow.

Leah walls

Centre Coordinator for Rotherham

Leah walls

Hi, I’m Leah and Centre Coordinator in Rotherham. I have been a primary school teacher for 17 years and love working with children.

I have a 13 year old son, Freddie who I share a love of both the theatre and Articulate with. I am dog mad and have a miniature schnauzer named Ted who I genuinely adore and am soon to be welcoming a new pup to the family.

The best part of my job is seeing the growth of confidence and skills in our students and seeing just how much they support and encourage one another.