FACULTY
Our team of dedicated professionals who are all fully insured and DBS checked prepare pupils for exams, auditions and performances. We are proud of our fantastic team of teachers most of whom have grown up through the school and strive to offer an exceptional standard of professional teaching.
PRINCIPAL
CAROLINE BLACK AISTD, LISTD, FISTD
Caroline has been working in the industry for over 40 years and is the owner of Stages Performing Arts. Caroline started dancing at the age of 3, teaching at 16 and by 18 had her own school. Currently a Fellow member of the ISTD Caroline has worked tirelessly to ensure that the standards within the studio are exceptional and that every student who attends achieves their maximum learning potential. Thoroughly committed to the development of performing arts Caroline has trained thousands of students, produced and choreographed many shows, promotes events and co-owns the highly successful talent agency Stages Management with her son James. Caroline provides students with many performance opportunities including Disneyland Paris, Sadler's Wells, Her Majesty's, The Palladium and The Royal Albert Hall. Television credits include Barrymore's 'My Kind of People', BBC1's National Association of Youth Club's Disco Dancing Championships, Britains Got Talent and Sky 1's Got to Dance. Theatre credits for choreography include Bugsy Malone, Annie, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz, Copacabana, Singing in the Rain, Smokey Joes Cafe, Disco Inferno, Spamalot, High School Musical, Raising the Standards, Junior Pop Sensation, Cinderella, Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White and Aladdin. Caroline also co-owns SCA Productions who have produced Bugsy Malone and The Wiz. Caroline has been honoured by NODA for outstanding choreography for Disco Inferno and Copacabana, twice been the recipient of the ADFP Southern Area Award and three times nominee for a prestigious Carl Allen Award for choreography.
HEAD OF DANCE
CLARE FENTON DDE
Clare began her career at a young age at Stages Performing Arts studying all genres, she continued at Stages whilst attending The College of Richard Collyer studying A levels and then furthered her training at Laban graduating with a BA Hons in dance theatre. Clare completed her DDE tap and modern at Anthony Clifford Studios and proceeded to continue and increase her teaching practise including Stages where after many years of teaching became Head of Dance. Clare is responsible for teaching Stages ISTD examination syllabus classes in ballet, modern and tap as well as pointe, singing, musical theatre, jazz and Adult tap. Choreographically Clare produces many of the numbers in Stages annual production at the Hawth as well as assisting in the directing and production of the Christmas Pantomime.
JAMES BLACK DIP
James studied all disciplines in dance and musical theatre as a former student at Stages Performing Arts before attending The Urdang Academy on a full scholarship where he graduated in 2015 with a level 6 diploma in musical theatre and dance. James teaches all styles of jazz including commercial, lyrical, contemporary, singing, freestyle, street, Acro, tricks, technique, stretch and conditioning and drama. Coupled with his performing James also runs workshops at Stages and regularly lectures and teaches for other studios and professional organisations. As a choreographer James contributes many of the numbers in Stages annual show as well as assisting with the production.
DANIELLE CASLING AISTD, DIP
Danielle began dancing at the age of 3 taking examinations in ISTD and RAD she then trained at Bird College of Performing Arts graduating with a level 6 diploma and an ISTD modern associate. Initially following a career as a performer Danielle having competed in national competitions, festivals, shows and pantomimes worked as a dancer and dance captain for 11 years for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line maintaining and teaching the shows on board. Danielle joined Stages with a vast experience of teaching in modern, jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, Partner Work, Showgirl, Ballroom and Latin and is currently teaching ISTD syllabus in Modern, Adult Tap and Jazz.
MARK PARTON BA HONS, PGCE, DIP, LTCL, DDI, MA
Since graduating from The Urdang Academy, and fulfilling a Performing career for a period of time, Mark realised his real vocation lived in teaching. Having been a student teacher at Stages during his training, he then went on to peruse specific training. Mark gained a First Class Honours degree in theatre (GSA), as well as an LTCL in teaching theatre (Distinction with Trinity College, London), DDI (ISTD) and his PGCE (University of Buckingham). Having been Head of Dance at Knightsbridge School and then Head of Drama at Great Walstead School, Mark will assume the role of Director of Performing Arts and St. Hilary’s, Godalming in September.
LILY COWARD
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SALLY HARTLEY GLCM HONS, LLCM, ALCM, PGCE
Sally teaches singing at Stages and prepares our students for Trinity singing exams. After attending Hazelwick School and on completion of her GCSE's Sally studied Woodwind, Voice and Piano at the London College of Music where she graduated with GLCM Hons, LLCM, ALCM and PGCE. From 1995 - 2001 as former member of the Six til Midnite Showband Sally performed vocals, keyboards and saxophone across many leading venues in the South of England. Sally boasts many credits as Musical Director for local operatic and theatre societies as well as being the Musical Director for Crawley Millennium Concert Band from 1999 - 2011. Sally also currently works for West Sussex Music as Lead Teacher for Woodwind as well as Instrumental teaching (clarinet, saxophone, flute), Classroom teaching and Music Centre ensemble direction.
MOLLIE BRACKPOOL
Mollie has been training at Stages since she was 2 years old in all disciplines taking examinations with the ISTD in Ballet, Modern, Tap and Freestyle. Mollie has taken part in the Stages annual summer shows and Christmas Pantomimes achieving many lead roles. assisted Caroline in choreographing for pantomimes, been involved in shows like Sound of Music, Annie and Fiddler on the roof. I have travelled around the country doing competitions with Stages and I’ve also taken part in the professional pantomime ‘Cinderella’ at the Hawth. I love working with the kids to improve their skills but also to have some fun in what they love to do! Mollie teaches our specialist Saturday class specifically designed for students aged 3 - 8 years in freestyle disco dancing, singing, social drama games and Acro mat work.
CLASS ASSISTANTS
RUBY COWARD
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