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As local educators, Claire and Kate are passionate about the positive impact of drama in young people's lives.
We wanted to create opportunities for young people who share this passion, to explore a range forms of theatre and performance experiences in their local town.
Hearing feedback from local students and parents we felt it was time to offer a alternative youth theatre group opportunity that explores other areas than Musical Theatre.
Claire started her performing arts journey by studying A Level Theatre Studies, many moons ago, where she focused on performance and costume design. She continued on to complete a Bachelor of Education degree in English and Drama. Through her studies, Claire looked at all elements of performing arts. Her favourite moment was falling flat on her face at the very opening of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors whilst playing the leading lady!
Claire has been a teacher for over 22 years and currently teaches drama lessons to a range of year groups. She has been involved in directing and writing various performances with different age ranges. She loves nothing more than visiting a theatre to watch a show.
Kate is also qualified teacher with many years of drama teaching and directing experience. As a young person herself, Kate enjoyed lots of community theatre work and was involved with a drugs awareness project with the Gwent Constabulary that produced a n awareness film that is still shown in Welsh Secondary schools today! She has performed in the National Theatre in London, as well as in the Czech Republic and Germany.
Kate completed a BA in Theatre and Performance/Music at University of Plymouth in Exmouth, and has lived in in the town since 1999. Kate is passionate about helping young people use drama to explore themselves and to be creative. She is very excited to be leading PoleSand Youth Theatres Summer School.
Both leaders are fully qualified drama teachers, both hold enhanced DBS checks and have professional indemnity insurance. Blackmore theatre holds public liability cover for hire bookings. Kate Hurley is qualified in Paediatric First Aid, and Claire Wellington Smith is a L3 Safeguarding Lead.
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