My Journey in Film, Acting, and Supporting Young Performers Across Yorkshire

 

Growing Up in a Creative Yorkshire Home

Growing up in Yorkshire, I never imagined that film, acting and youth coaching would become the heart of my career. Yet every step of my childhood quietly guided me toward the work I now love—helping young performers find their voice, confidence and creativity. Young acting classes proved to be an important part of nurturing talent and creativity. Creativity filled my home from the very beginning. My mother, a passionate school teacher, believed deeply in imagination and self‑expression. Because of her encouragement, I began writing poems and stories at just six years old. Those early moments didn’t feel significant at the time, but they laid the foundation for everything that followed.

🎬Discovering Acting and Early On‑Camera Experience

Throughout my childhood, I threw myself into ballet, tap, singing, piano and drama lessons. Although I enjoyed each one, acting captured my heart more than anything else. By joining young acting classes in Bradford Yorkshire, I was able to meet other passionate students and learn new skills. I loved stepping into different characters and exploring new stories.

When I was eight, I began appearing in Fisher‑Price television commercials. That experience introduced me to cameras, scripts and film sets. I still remember the bright lights, the busy crew and the excitement of being part of something creative.

 

🎭Youth Theatre Training for Young Performers in Leeds and Bradford

As I moved into my teenage years, my passion for acting only grew stronger. I joined the West Riding Youth Theatre and the Bradford Youth Players, and those communities became essential to my development. Being surrounded by other young performers helped me build confidence and a sense of belonging.

 Opening Stage 84 Performing Arts School

At eighteen, my mother and I took a bold step and opened Stage 84 Performing Arts School in Yorkshire. I became Head of Drama and spent the next decade teaching speech and drama, preparing students for Trinity College London exams, and coaching young performers for festivals and competitions.

Those years were filled with talented young people discovering their abilities. Many went on to build successful careers in theatre and television, and watching their growth remains one of the greatest joys of my work.

🎥 Founding Northern Film and Drama

In 1994, I founded Northern Film and Drama (NFD) to combine my love of filmmaking with my passion for mentoring young actors. I wanted young performers to experience real film sets and understand the full process of creating a story on camera. For those interested, young acting classes Yorkshire offer opportunities to develop both stage and screen skills.

Our first film, Victim, explored the impact of school bullying. It won Best Newcomer at the Scarborough Film Festival and later aired on Channel 4. Seeing the young cast recognised for their work was unforgettable.

Since then, we’ve created films such as Past Memoirs, Becoming 8, Julia Juliet, Sweet Sam and Risk Takers, which was shown on Amazon. Each project has given young actors valuable on‑camera experience and a deeper understanding of the industry.

🎬 Supporting Young Actors as an Agent

Alongside teaching and filmmaking, I also worked as an actor’s agent. I had the privilege of supporting talented young performers including Jessica Barden, Sam Jackson, Daniel Pearson and Colson Smith. Watching them grow into confident professionals has been incredibly rewarding.

 

💬 Why Confidence Matters

Acting isn’t only about talent. It requires resilience, self‑belief and the ability to communicate truthfully on screen. That’s why so much of my work focuses on helping young people trust their individuality and express themselves with confidence.

I believe every young person has a story inside them. With the right guidance, they can learn to share it boldly and authentically.

 Continuing the Journey Today

Today, my passion remains exactly the same as when I first stepped onto a set as a child. I want young people across Leeds, Bradford, Yorkshire and beyond to feel inspired, to explore their creativity and to realise that their voice truly matters.

If you have a young performer who loves acting, filmmaking or simply needs a confidence boost, I’d love to welcome them into our community at Northern Film and Drama. Additionally, young acting classes in Yorkshire can be the perfect place for them to begin their creative journey.

 

A Personal Invitation

If your child loves acting, storytelling, film or simply enjoys using their imagination, I would love to welcome them to one of my workshops.

Starting something new can feel a little daunting. I understand that completely. Many of the young people who first walk through the door are not sure what to expect. Some arrive bursting with confidence. Others come in quietly and stay very close to their parent for the first few minutes. Both are absolutely fine.

My workshops are designed to be a warm and encouraging space where young people can relax, explore their creativity and discover abilities they may not even realise they have yet.

Over the years I have watched so many young people grow in confidence through acting. A child who once spoke very softly suddenly finds their voice. A shy teenager begins to express their ideas with confidence. Those moments are always very special to witness.

Through my work with Northern Film and Drama students also experience the exciting world of film making. They learn what it feels like to perform in front of a camera, work as part of a creative team and see how stories are brought to life on screen.

Some of the young people I have worked with have gone on to successful careers in television and film, including actors such as Jessica Barden and Colson Smith. But what matters most to me is not fame. It is helping every young person develop confidence, creativity and belief in themselves.

And I promise we do have a lot of fun along the way. Acting should be joyful. There is usually plenty of laughter in my workshops and occasionally a few forgotten lines. That is all part of the process.

If your child would like to explore acting, build confidence and experience the magic of storytelling, I would be delighted to welcome them.

Sometimes all it takes is one class, one moment on stage or one scene in front of a camera for a young person to discover something wonderful about themselves.

And that is where the journey begins.