MADE IN YORK, FOR THE PEOPLE OF YORK
York Stage School exists to develop confidence and technique in performers of all ages and abilities. Specialising in Acting, Singing and Musical Theatre dance techniques, the school is taught by fully trained industry professionals, lead by Principal Nik Briggs.
Through weekly term-time classes, short courses, master classes and holiday workshops, we aim to provide the training children and young adults need to develop as actors, singers and overall performers.
We believe it is never too early, or late, to start training and therefore have opportunities for all ages to support the performer's journey. Whether it is a young child who shows a natural aptitude for 'putting on a show', someone who has developed a love or interest in performing, a teenager who is wanting to apply to drama school or university to study performance or an adult performer who wishes they had had the chance to explore technique and their talent earlier in life; York Stage School have classes and workshops for all.
Principal, teacher, and founder of York Stage School, Nik Briggs, has a wealth of experience in the fields of Acting, Singing and Musical Theatre. Nik trained at both Bretton Hall and the prestigious Royal Academy of Music obtaining degrees in Acting and Musical Theatre. He has worked professionally as an actor and singer across the UK in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, York Theatre Royal and Grand Opera House York. For the past decade, Nik has worked predominantly as a director and producer leading York Stage, one of the cities biggest producing theatre companies. During this time, he has worked with performers from a range of backgrounds and has been acclaimed for bringing together untrained community talent with leading West End performers to create seamless results. Through sharing and using established training techniques, used in leading London theatre schools, with young and community performers alike, he has been able to raise individual's performing standards and has given many the tools to move their performance journey forward. Nik loves being able to train performers, alongside his brilliant team of teachers, on a regular basis through York Stage School, where the emphasis and drive is solely on the development of the individual.
YORK'S AWARD-WINNING TEAM
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
NIK BRIGGS
PRINCIPAL
Principal teacher and founder of York Stage School, Nik Briggs, has a wealth of experience in the fields of Acting, Singing and Musical Theatre. Nik trained at both Bretton Hall and the prestigious Royal Academy of Music, obtaining degrees in Acting and Musical Theatre. Nik has worked professionally as an actor and singer across the UK in venues such as The Royal Albert Hall, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, York Theatre Royal and Grand Opera House York. For the past decade, Nik has worked predominantly as a Director and Producer, leading York Stage, one of the cities biggest producing theatre companies.
DANIELLE MULLAN-HILL
DANCE, MUSICAL THEATRE, YORKIE PUDS
Danielle was awarded a scholarship at the prestigious stage school Laine Theatre Arts in London were she received a National Diploma in Musical Theatre. Danielle has worked professionally all around the world, singing, dancing and presenting, building her a wealth of knowledge within the industry. Working in theatres such as the Dutchess Theatre in the West End to York's very own Theatre Royal where she has been part of the pantomime for over a decade which was where she first found her love of the city and people. Danielle loves every second of working with York Stage and sharing her knowledge with the students, so much in fact that after her first child, Myla, she wanted to start them young and so Yorkie Puds was born.
JOANNE THEAKER
ACTING / MUSICAL THEATRE
Jo is a professional Actor, Singer, Voice-over Artist and a qualified LAMDA teacher. Working in all aspects of film, television, Theatre and Musical Theatre. Including working at the Arts Theatre London's West End, Sheffield Crucible and The Oxford Shakespeare Company. Jo is a regular Voice-over Artist for Dogeatcat, cbeebies, and Blow your own trumpet films. She loves working with York Stage developing the students skills and confidence in all aspects of the industry as she has first hand one to one experience with her own son who is also a professional Actor.
JAMES ROBERT BALL
ACTING / MUSICAL THEATRE
James teaches singing at York Stage School, specialising in vocal technique and acting through song. He has taught Musical Theatre at Goldsmiths, City University, and the University of York; as well as at drama schools including Arts Ed, Urdang and Central School of Speech and Drama.
James is a professional musical director, and has conducted shows in London, Manchester, York, Edinburgh, Sardinia, and the Seychelles.
JESSICA VINER
SINGING / MUSICAL THEATRE
Jessica is an OFFIE-nominated musical director, pianist and string player working across Yorkshire and beyond. She has most recently been working as assistant MD on the Annie UK & Ireland tour, and cover MD for the Royal Shakespeare Company, while in 2015 she was awarded 'Best Musical Director' at the Harrogate International Gilbert and Sullivan Festival (Unifest). Her work in education has included teaching for Ampleforth College and for musical theatre university courses in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester. Since day one, Jess has loved seeing students grow in confidence, ability and creativity while at York Stage School.
SAM ROBERTS
TEACHING ASSISTANT
Sam is a professional Actor, who has worked specifically in television. Having worked with Stagebox Agency for 9 years, he has had the opportunity to work with many professionals within the industry of performing arts and screen acting, such as Cary Fukunaga, Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan.
Sam has participated in many York Stage productions since he was a child and has continued to take part in them alongside training to teach at York Stage School. He loves working for York Stage School as he gets to pass on all the things he has learned while working with industry professionals on to our students so that they can grow and develop their skills.
DESTINY SPARKES
DANCE
Destiny commenced her dance training at the age of 11, honing her skills across a spectrum of styles.
Over the years, she has showcased her talents in competitive stages, both locally and internationally, while concurrently teaching for the past five years.
Destiny has graced the stage in touring pantomimes and enchanted audiences in renowned theme parks like Alton Towers. Beyond her performance and teaching knowledge, Destiny is undergoing specialised training to support individuals with diverse needs and health conditions, aiming to excel in the realm of dance and movement psychotherapy.
LANA DAVIES
ACTING / MUSICAL THEATRE
Lana teaches Acting and Musical Theatre at York Stage School and is a professionally trained singer and musician having trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, gaining a first class honours degree in Actor Musicianship.
Lana has performed in various theatres across the UK and accompanied on the piano for the BBC podcast 'Orbit' and session singing for film soundtracks at Abbey Road Studios with Hans Zimmer. Lana plays piano, saxophone and clarinet.
ALANA BLACKER
MUSICAL THEATRE
Alana was awarded a scholarship for Musical Theatre at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow where she studied for 3 years. She has a wide variety of professional experience including television commercials, voice-over projects and as a backing vocalist for the BBC.
Alana's biggest passion is nurturing young people and she has a wealth of experience doing this both in and out of the arts.
KEVIN COUNDON
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Working alongside Nik, running York Stage School, Kevin primarily operates behind the scenes at York Stage School. As the Director of Operations, he takes on various roles, from welcoming new students to creating marketing content, ensuring smooth operations across the board.
HOW TO JOIN US
With no obligation your child can join us for their first class and then decide
whether York Stage School is the right fit for them, although we're confident that they will love our classes.
Joining us couldn't be easier and here's how...
1
Take a look at our variety of classes within our menu bar at the top of this page and select the classes you wish to enrol your child on.
2
Click the 'Sign up now' button, complete the registration form and you will then receive an automatic email confirming that your registration has been successful.
3
Once a place becomes available for your child (if there isn't one available straight away) we will be in touch via email to confirm a start date and instructions for payment will follow.
4
On the day of your child's first class we ask that you drop them at the front door of our studios within Theatre @ 41 Monkgate where a York Stage School Tutor will welcome them and sign them in for class. We ask that students bring a water bottle and wear plain black, grey or purple clothing.
5
Following your child's first class, we will contact you via email to which you can confirm their place for the full term.
We look forward to welcoming you!
