Meet three of Perform's amazingly talented teachers who are currently appearing in West End shows SIX the Musical, Heathers and Hairspray.

Rachel Rawlinson: Heathers

I've worked for Perform since 2018, starting as a teacher and then moving on to producing classes five days a week in Battersea, Pimlico, Chelsea, Kings Hill and Dulwich.

What is your background/training?

I've always been a theatrical child (had I gone to Perform myself, I would have been desperate to play PF!). I was forutnate enough to perform in West End shows such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and Billy Elliot. I knew I had to pursue performing and since graduating Musical Theatre college I've played Rizzo in Grease a Diva and Shirley in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and have sung in the country's biggest Christmas show, Thursford Christmas Spectacular.

How did you feel when you were offered the part in Heathers?

Landing the role of Ensemble and Understudy for Martha and Miss Fleming in Heathers was a total whirlwind and I cried a lot of happy tears!

What are you loving most about your West End experience?

As any actor will tell you, our profession is extremely tough and after a devastating fifteen months for the Arts where theatres have been dark, I truly could not be more grateful to be back on stage and sharing the joy that is live theatre.

Do you have a message for the Perform children you teach?

I absolutely adore teaching Perform's inspiring children and I can't wait to see them on my return!

Rachel is starring in Heathers at Theatre Royal Haymarket until 12th September heathersthemusical.com

 

Hana Stewart: SIX The Musical

I worked at Perform Wimbledon, Kingston, Hammersmith and I ran an after school club in Stratford.

What is your background/training?

I started dancing at the age of 2 at a local dance school and joined a children's amateur theatre group when I was 10. I went to senior school and joined a reputable local amateur dramatic group where I got to play some great parts - Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street and Mina Harker in Dracula! I then did a year's pre-vocational course at Performers College in Essex and went on to study Musical Theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London for 3 years.

How did you feel when you were offered the part in SIX?

I felt absolutely overwhelmed! it was always my aim to be in the West End so to know my dream was going to be a reality was the best and more surreal feeling

What are you loving most about your West End experience?

Getting to earn a living from doing what I trained to do for so long is such a great feeling! Also, the audience are just incredible - they love the show so much and it just spreads so much joy!

Do you feel your work at Perform has helped you on stage?

I think teaching at Perform helped me generally with my confidence - knowing you're having such a positive impact on children's lives is such a lovely thing.

Do you have a message for the Perform children you have taught?

Good luck! Believe in yourself and be yourself - you're wonderful.

Hana is starring in SIX The Musical as the alternate for Jane Seymour and Catherine Parr at The Lyric Theatre sixthemusical.com

 

Rachel Warrick-Clarke: Hairspray

I've worked at Perform for about four and a half years, at Wokingham, Reading (Earley), Twyford, and Goring.

What is your background/training?

I trained for 3 years at the University of Chichester on the triple threat course and then did a year at the London School of Musical Theatre.

How did you feel when you were offered the part in Hairspray?

I felt ecstatic. I'd done panto and other smaller shows but to be offered my West End debut was truly an incomparable feeling.

What are you loving most about your West End experience?

I'm loving working with other creatives and performers after such a long time off. It feels magical to be back with people who love theatre as much as I do.

Do you feel your work at Perform has helped you on stage?

Of course. I feel very lucky to have a job that not only pays my bills but also allows me to share my knowledge and skills to the children of today. Perform allows us Teachers and Producers to hopefully inspire them to take these lessons through their lives whatever path they chose. Not only do I teach them but I also learn a lot from them too!

Do you have a message for the Perform children you have taught?

Just that I miss them all dearly and I hope they enjoyed their end of term shows - and learnt their lines!

Rachel is starring in Hairspray as Tammy/Ensemble at the London Coliseum hairspraythemusical.com