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.

The drama school is the heart and soul of the company and I get so much joy from watching the children grow and thrive. My favourite parts of the job are watching the public speaking displays, seeing the summer school show come together and visiting the screen acting classes scouting for new talent for the agency.

HANNAH ALLEN

DRAMA SCHOOL MANAGER

Hannah Allen

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.

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.

Siara Illing-Ahmed

Screen acting Tutor

Siara Illing-Ahmed

Hi, I am Siara. My career began as a young performer and has continued into adulthood, during which I have worked across stage and screen, touring nationally and internationally as an actor, singer, and director.

Alongside my work in actor training, I am an arts researcher developing innovative curricula that use drama as a tool for learning across a range of disciplines.

I continue to work as a performer, singer, writer, director, and producer, and I am passionate about actor training, equipping young performers with the self-esteem to perform with skill and confidence. The variety in my work gives me a practical understanding of the industry and the skills needed to sustain a long, varied career, allowing me to share a wealth of current industry knowledge in the studio with Articulate students.

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.

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!

Jessica Broadbent

Singing Teacher

Jessica Broadbent

Hi, I’m Jess! I am a passionate and dedicated singing teacher with a strong background in performance and vocal training.

Alongside my teaching, I have performed extensively within the entertainment industry, working with companies such as Tom Rolfe Productions and appearing as part of show casts at Butlin’s and TUI in Ibiza, Menorca, and Lapland. I have also performed with Motownellas and as part of the Soul Train UK theatre tour, gaining valuable experience in live performance and stage work.

I am passionate about making singing accessible and enjoyable for all, and I am excited to be part of Articulate, supporting students in developing their love of singing.

Natasha Turford

Singing Teacher

Natasha Turford

Hi, I’m Natasha! I began training at 10 on scholarship at the Sylvia Young Theatre School.

My screen work includes appearances in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and as a choir student in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban for Warner Bros. On stage, I’ve performed at the Royal Albert Hall, appeared in West End productions of Whistle Down the Wind and Annie, and toured the UK in The Three Little Pigs and The Railway Children.

I’m passionate about nurturing young performers with empathy and high professional standards, helping them grow in confidence and self-belief.

At home, I’m a proud mum of two wonderfully wild girls who remind me daily why imagination, storytelling and a little bit of magic truly matter.

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!

Maelisa McGuinness

LAMDA & PUBLIC SPEAKING TUTOR

Maelisa McGuinness

Hi, I am Maelisa. I trained in the performing arts from an early age at a local drama school in Bromley, Kent, before going on to study at ArtsEd in London. I have a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary drama, with a passion for creativity and self-expression through performance.

I am a dedicated Speech and Drama teacher with over 25 years’ experience, specialising in preparing students for LAMDA Acting and Public Speaking examinations. I am committed to helping each student build confidence, develop strong communication skills, and foster a love of performance—tools that will stay with them for life. I can honestly say that I love my job and adore all the students I teach.

Monique Ashe-Palmer

Performing Arts Teacher

Monique Ashe-Palmer

Hi, I’m Monique! I am a dynamic West End performer and Associate Choreographer who has spent the past seven years performing across the West End, as well as on UK and international tours.

My theatre credits include: Storyteller 1 in Shucked (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); Standing at the Sky’s Edge (Gillian Lynne Theatre); SIX (Vaudeville Theatre); Madagascar the Musical (UK and International Tour), for which I also served as Associate Choreographer; Dracapella (Park Theatre); Waitress (Adelphi Theatre and UK Tour); and Sleeping Beauty (Camberley Theatre).

Alongside performing, I have worked as an Associate Choreographer, bringing my experience as a performer to the creative process and helping shape movement and staging in professional theatre productions.

Television credits include: Emmerdale (ITV).

Virág Zengő

Performing Arts Teacher

Virág Zengő

Hi, I’m Virág, a theatre creative specialising in choreography, movement direction, and collaborative storytelling.

I have contributed to a range of dynamic projects, including choreographing the opening and closing numbers for the Leeds Fashion Ball and producing Two Worlds Collide for the Leeds Festival of New Work.

Having grown up attending Afternoon Acting School, I understand firsthand the transformative power of the arts on young people. Now, as both a teacher and mentor, I’m committed to creating safe, inspiring environments where children and young artists can thrive, grow in confidence, and find joy in creative expression.

Catharine Smith

Centre Coordinator for Bingley

Catharine 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 & York

Rachael Barnes

Hi, I’m Rachael, the Centre Coordinator at Harrogate and York. 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 and York, 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.

Tanya Elsegood

Centre Coordinator for Horsforth, Birstall & Batley

Tanya Elsegood

Hi, my name is Tanya, and I am a mum of 2 adult children. I have been involved in drama and performing arts for many years and have spent many hours behind the scenes looking after young people rather than performing.

I work at Kirklees High School as the PA to the Management Team during the day and Articulate in my free time.

I have worked for Articulate for many years now and love my time spent with all the young people.