Our tutors are a vital part of delivering our top-notch performance training. They bring with them expert teaching knowledge and industry experience.

Our tutors are all freelance artists with many other commitments. For this reason, we ask that queries and concerns are passed on directly to the Theatre Royal Wakefield Participation team, who are all full-time employees of Theatre Royal Wakefield.

Gavin Leonard is Theatre Royal Wakefield’s Participation Training Manager and handles the day-to-day running of Performance Academy. He is a Deputy Safeguarding Officer and is onsite at all in-person Performance Academy sessions.

Aoibheann Kelly is Theatre Royal Wakefield’s Designated Safeguarding Lead and Theatre Royal Wakefield's Head of Participation.

Louise Denison – Performance Academy Principal

Louise has been our Performance Academy Principal since the very first session back in April 2011. Alongside her creative leadership of our Performance Academy, Louise has worked extensively with Theatre Royal Wakefield, choreographing our hugely popular pantomime and directing Wakefield Youth Music Theatre productions (Evita, School of Rock, West Side Story and many more) and our annual Gala Performance. Louise also has a broad experience of working with other arts organisations across the region, as well as working nationally and internationally as a Choreographer and Director.

Louise trained in Leeds and London in all aspects of dance and the performing arts. As a professional performer she worked throughout the country in musicals, pantomimes and cabaret, before being asked out of the blue to choreograph her first show at York Theatre Royal. This led her to work on their highly successful pantomimes and with York Rep. A freelance dance teacher, Louise is also Artistic Director of YEA and Resident Choreographer at Scala Performing Arts.

Singing

Alison George

Alison is Musical Director for Theatre Royal Performance Academy’s Wakefield group and has worked with Theatre Royal Wakefield since 2014.

Alison is a trained actor, singer and musician, and has been working professionally for many years in theatre, TV and film. She is a singing teacher and vocal coach, teaching children and adults privately.

Ben Bickley

Ben is Musical Director for Theatre Royal Performance Academy's Pontefract group and has worked with Performance Academy since 2019.

Ben is a graduate of Leeds College of Music, and has trained extensively in vocals with a number of industry professionals. Ben works as a professional musician and tutor and is also co-lead artist for our Chime group which provides musical theatre training for young people with learning disabilities and Stepping Out, our musical theatre appreciation group for older people.

Dancing

Lynette Leigh

Lynette is our lead dance tutor across our Pontefract and Wakefield groups and has worked with Performance Academy since 2017.

Lynette trained at Bird College, where she graduated with a First Class (BA Hons) in 2015. She has since spent her time as a freelance choreographer and teacher, creating and working for colleges, schools and theatre companies across England.

She has recently choreographed for Performers College, has been a movement director for the John Godber Company and still occasionally performs on stage.

Acting

Shelley Firth

Shelley is our lead acting tutor across our Pontefract and Wakefield groups and has worked with Performance Academy since 2023. She was previously a participant in our In on the Act training and performance programme for adults.

Shelley studied English Literature and Theatre at the University of Sheffield from 2007 – 2010. Since graduating, Shelley has worked in various roles in the arts industry; previously working for the learning department at Northern Ballet, leading her to a career in education. Shelley is a qualified English teacher and has worked in alternative provision as well as pursuing her love of all things theatrical.

PA Kids and PA1 Wakefield pastoral

Dance (PA1 Wakefield)

Staci Foley-Hall

Staci is our main point of contact in-person on a Saturday for our PA Kids and PA1 groups. She is also the Wakefield PA1 Dance tutor and has worked with Performance Academy since 2019.

Staci trained locally and performed on the Theatre Royal Wakefield stage throughout her childhood. She graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) in Performance Industries with a specialism in dance. Staci is a qualified teacher working in SEND provision.

PA Kids tutor

Acting and Singing (PA1 Wakefield)

Meg Elsegood

Although new to the Performance Academy delivery team in 2025, Meg has a long history with Performance Academy going back to being one of our original participants when the group started in 2011. She has been a featured performer in Theatre Royal Wakefield’s pantomime cast since 2021, most recently playing ‘Fairy Godmother’ and ‘Ms. Van Dini’ in Cinderella (2024/25).

Meg has a deep passion for teaching, mentoring students across the UK in dance, musical theatre, and singing. With real-life industry knowledge as a working actress, Meg brings a wealth of professional experience into the classroom, helping students develop the skills needed for the stage and beyond.

In-Session Support

Rachel Baker (Pontefract) and Leoni Fadzilah (Wakefield)

Rachel and Leoni provide support to our young people and delivery team, supporting with taking registers, passing on questions and concerns, and ensuring the wellbeing of our participants is addressed as a priority.

Rachel also provides support to our Chime company for young people with Learning Disabilities and has extensive experience working in SEND environments.

Leoni is a former Performance Academy participant and has performed in numerous Wakefield Youth Music Theatre productions and Performance Academy showcases.