At Passion Academy we attract the most passionate and promising actors around. We believe that whilst success is all about hard work it’s also a labour of love.
Here, you'll find an environment with facilities and staff who take the success of every student personally. We know that you're entrusting us with your dream and take that responsibility seriously. We invite you to discover a blend of advantages unmatched anywhere in Manchester.
Focusing on your success
Our staff and teachers are all genuine working professionals who are truly plugged in to the current industry. They are completely focused on your success, getting to know your personality, strengths and areas most in need of development. You also rehearse and perform in class with peers who are motivated, talented and as serious about learning as you are.
Genuine working professionals
If actors aren't involved, they fall behind. So we believe it's important that all our teachers also be working professionals - pros who bring their energy, up-to-the-minute insights and wisdom to class every day. That means their real-life experience one day can be part of what you learn the very next.
In the right place
Every day, top casting directors audition professional actors for feature films, TV shows and commercials right here at the Passion Studios Casting Facilities, the very same place where you go to class! So as a member of Passion Academy you are exposed to the process, the inner workings of the business and the casting directors themselves. This kind of exposure is invaluable and not always available anywhere else.
The heart of the city
We are based in the heart of Manchester, a city respected for its dynamic creative scene. In any street, at any time of year you can stumble on something or someone to inspire you.
Join Us
Directors - Meet the creative team with Passion
Debbie Pine - Artistic Director
Debbie Pine has enjoyed an enviable reputation within the entertainment industry for well over twenty years. Her career began in the casting department of Yorkshire Television and from this launch pad Debbie directed and co-owned several highly successful agencies before independently forming Pure Management one of the industry’s leading theatrical management companies.
Her name has become synonymous with the discovery and management of some of the best talent to emerge in recent years and during her career to date she had the pleasure in representing numerous name actors who have enjoyed huge success both in this country and the USA.
Whilst remaining the Managing Director of Pure Management Debbie formed partnerships with a group of equally talented professionals to launch the Pure Media Group.
Suzanne Hall - Academy Director
Suzanne Hall has worked as a professional actress for over twenty-five years.
Her career began at the tender age of twelve playing the part of "Linda Croxley" in the hit musical production of Willy Russell’s "Our Day Out" at the Octagon Theatre in Bolton, she then went on to play "Opal" In the BBC 1980’s children’s classic "Jossy’s Giants". Suzanne has had a very successful and varied career in TV, Film and Theatre and has appeared in various TV productions, most famously playing "Colleen Collins" in the hit police drama "The Cops", "Kimberly Taylor" in "Coronation street", "Dr Vaughn" in "Cold Feet" and currently "Suzanne Ashworth" in "Hollyoaks".
Suzanne trained in performing arts at Bolton and furthered her education at Preston gaining a certification in education in teaching, she continued at Preston teaching performing arts. Suzanne has been a qualified teacher for eighteen years and in that time has taught at some of the countries leading performing arts universities and schools.
She has also worked coaching many young actors that have gone on to gain great success in the industry. Suzanne still enjoys an active role in education and has been Artist in Residence at Our Lady’s School in Blackburn for eight years and is an Arts Award Advisor for the borough.
Dean Barlow - Director Of Communications
Dean Barlow can boast a highly successful career spanning over twenty years in all aspects of the creative communications arena, working as Studio Manager and Creative Director at some of the top advertising agencies, studios and management companies producing work for numerous global brands. Marketing, advertising and PR are at the core of his experience and his portfolio of work includes: Disney, Warner Brothers, BBC, Motorola, ITV, Sony and MTV to name but a few.
Dean’s work has run parallel with his role of Managing Director of his own events company which has been responsible for staging numerous high profile productions including concerts for Girls Aloud and Manchester Camerata.
Teamed with an enviable proven track record in business, a contacts list to die for, organisational and people skills that are second to none, Dean is perfectly placed to deliver his strengths, skills and energy to keep Passion Academy the leading number one centre for creativity and performing arts in Manchester.
Tutors - Meet some of the industry professionals with Passion
Joanne Adamson Parker - Casting Director
Joanne Adamson Parker is a Leeds based Casting Director with over 15 years experience casting for a range of projects including Theatre, Television and Feature and short film.
After leaving the West Yorkshire Playhouse, where she was the casting assistant for three years, she embarked on a freelance career working on such projects as diverse 'The Red Riding Trilogy' to 'Chucklevision'. She has cast over 20 episodes of 'The Bill' and is a strong advocate of new talent, particularly in the North.
Her theatre includes projects for Pilot Theatre Company, Hull Truck, Rollem and Manhattan Children's Theatre.
Website:www.northernspiritcreative.co.uk
Kieran Buckeridge - Actor/Composer
Kieran has worked as a professional actor, musical director and composer for more than
a decade. His experience spans theatre, TV and radio and he has lectured for leading London and Northern drama schools. He is a multi-instrumentalist and accomplished singer.
He trained at Rose Bruford College on the acclaimed Actor - Musician course which prepared him for working with such companies as the Watermill Theatre, (under the direction of Tony award winning John Doyle), Northern Broadsides as both composer and actor, and Keswick Theatre by the Lake amongst many others.
Most recently his work at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough garnered rave reviews from national and local press, gaining 4 stars from the Guardian for "The Hunt For The Scroobious Pip" for which he wrote the music.
Visit Kieran's website at www.kieranbuckeridge.co.uk for more details and examples of his compositions for theatre.
Anji Carroll - Casting Director
Anji trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and her 'modest' acting career had her treading the boards at theatres including Derby Playhouse, Oldham Coliseum and Bolton Octagon before 'sidestepping' into the wonderful world of casting! Her casting credits include:
Theatre: "The Rivals" "Proof", "Spring And Port Wine", "The Admirable Crichton", "Bus Stop", "Peter Pan", "Desire Under The Elms", "Copenhagen", "Dumb Show", "Honeymoon Suite" for the New Vic ,"Othello" and "Richard III" Ludlow Festival, "The Ladykillers", "Twelfth Night", "The Deep Blue Sea", "Macbeth", "Notebook of Trigorin", - Northcott Theatre and "The Wizard of Oz", "Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?", "Antigone", "The Beggar"s Opera", "Chorus of Disapproval", "Henry IV parts 1 & 2", "Wind In The Willows", "Betrayal" for the Bristol Old Vic.
TV: "Titanic: Flesh & Steel Vs Nature", BBC 2's comedy drama series "The Cup", "The Bill" – (over 50 episodes), "The Sarah Jane Adventures" – "Invasion Of The Bane", 2 series of "London"s Burning" (32 x 60 minute episodes) and "The Knock" (4 x 90 minute episodes).
Feature films: "West Is West" due for release February/March 2011, "Mrs. Ratcliffe's Revolution", "Out Of Depth", "The Jolly Boys' Last Stand" and the BBC Radio 4 political drama series - "Number Ten".
Jonathan Eckersley - Assistant Director
Jonathan Eckersley has over 15 years experience as a 1st Assistant Director in Film and Television Drama. His credits include numerous high profile hit dramas ranging from "Spooks", "Hustle", "Lewis", "Bad Girls", "Lost In Austen", "Cracker", "Casualty", "Tracy Beaker" to feature films and major television commercial campaigns.
The screen skills he teaches have developed from working with artistes such as Gemma Arterton, Martin Shaw, Hugh Bonneville, Alex Kingston, Peter Firth, Robson Green, Robbie Coltrane, Ruth Jones, Annette Crosbie, Stephanie Beecham, Ann-Marie Duff to name but a few.
Jonathan is really committed to exploring all the relevant tools and techniques actors need when communicating on screen.
Samantha Edwards - Actor
Samantha is a Lancashire born actress, voice over artist and teacher with a flair for comedy and an enthusiasm for all aspects of the theatre. She can be found on many a day wielding sock puppets and playing the ukulele for children around the northwest through her work with Gambolling Arena Theatre Company where she works as both a performer, teacher and puppet maker.
Since graduating with a first class degree in Acting from UCLAN in 2008 Samantha has played all manner of different roles ranging from Lady Anne in "Richard III", to shouting obscenely in the "Vagina Monologues" at the Unity Theatre Liverpool to working with Dramatically Healthy at the Bolton Octagon Theatre in "Mines A Pint".
She is also an active member of Badapple Theatre Company as both actor and puppet maker, most notably playing the role of Buff in their sell out tour of "Back to the Land Girls" at the York Theatre Royal.
David Innes-Edwards - Director
David joined The BBC Drama Dept. in 1983, as a runner, then progressed through the various production jobs as Assistant Floor Manager, Location Manager and 1st AD/ Production Manager, working on shows such as "Lovejoy", "Big Deal", "Campion", and "Spender", amongst others. He completed the Drama Directors Course in 1990.
His first break into directing was on "EastEnders", after which he went freelance in 1992, joined "Brookside" for 18 months, including directing the notorious 'Jordache' murder episodes, and then returned to the BBC to direct several episodes of "Casualty". His first film job was "Pie In The Sky" in 1995, and continued with film series such as "Wycliffe", "Band of Gold", "Daylight Robbery", "Liverpool 1", "Playing The Field", "At Home With The Braithwaites", "Born & Bred", "Murder In Mind", and series four of "Auf Wiedersehen, Pet", in Cuba.
Since productions moved to digital, David has worked on series such as "The Bill", "Waterloo Road", "Holby City", "Minder" (C5), and "Larkrise to Candleford".
He lives in Cheshire with his family, where he spends his spare time walking his black Labrador, Obi, keeping chickens, tinkering with his old SAAB and KTM, and is a big Apple Mac fan. He is also writing a children's book called "Ned and the Windbaggers".
Martin Gibbons - Casting & Theatre Director
Martin Gibbons has worked with Emma Stafford Casting for the past 4 years and having gained valuable experience and skills with the company he is now a freelance casting director. He has experience of casting many productions including feature films, TV dramas, theatre and numerous for major companies including Hovis, Boots, Vodafone, Nike and Volkswagen. He is also credited on the Chris Morris feature film "Four Lions".
He is also Artistic Director of Monkeywood Theatre Company a 'new writing' producing Theatre Company based in Manchester and has recently directed the Arts Council funded production "Once in a House on Fire". The show was a sell out and attracted 5 star reviews.
During his time involved in casting he has developed excellent relationships with actors' agents throughout the country and has good knowledge, experience and passion for his work. He has a vast knowledge of actors based in the North and beyond, and can often be seen at the theatre checking out new work and new talent.
Sue Jackson - Casting Director
Sue Jackson has enjoyed a career spanning well over thirty years as a casting director and casting associate. She began working in the business at ATS Casting, one of the foremost agencies in the North enjoying a great reputation for providing the talent for numerous iconic dramas and films including "Kes" with director Ken Loach and "Ready When You Are Mr McGill".
Having worked as both casting assistant and later casting director at Granada Television her experience spans all aspects of the industry including television, theatre, children’s drama and commercials. In the early 1990’s Sue moved over to Yorkshire Television as Casting Director and worked setting up and casting numerous flagship productions including "Emmerdale", "Heartbeat", "The Royal", "The Royal Today" and "At Home with the Braithwaites". Sue is now a freelance casting director.
Ian Kershaw - Writer
Ian Kershaw was born in Oldham and trained as an actor at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and working as an actor in theatre and television before becoming a writer.
His theatre plays include "Candyland" (Royal Exchange/Bruntwood North-West prize winner), "Union Street" (2007, Oldham Coliseum) and "Get Ken Barlow" (2005, Watford Palace Theatre). His work for television includes "Shameless" (2010-2011, series 6, 7, 8 & 9), "Holby City", "Casualty", "Doctors" and "Eastenders". His writing for radio includes two series of "Pick Ups" (2008-9, BBC Radio 4), "Raft To Bondi" (2009, BBC Radio 4), "Alan And Jean’s Incredible Journey" (2008, BBC Radio 4) and "The Autobiography Of A Nobody" (2006, BBC Radio 4).
Rebecca King - Dance Coach
Rebecca King is a highly experienced and full trained dance teacher. She is fully qualified in IDTA tap, ballet & modern and vocational training in dance, drama and musical theatre as well as IALS Danza Roma training in jazz and street.
Her teaching experience includes: Pendleton College BTEC Level dance guest teacher and commercial jazz, Red Ice Agency Commercial jazz classes, intermediate/professional level, Dance Education Workshops - Workshop’s for primary and secondary schools. Manchester University - All levels- adult keep fit and street jazz. Pro Excel - Dance and education workshops all ages including adult beginners. She regularly teaches ballet, modern, tap ages, street and commercial jazz and is a workshop leader.
Her professional choreography experience includes the "I Wanna Have Some Fun" tour at the Pepsi Arena Quebec City, Canada, Showstoppers Worldwide Productions The Vegas Showgirls and Showbiz Works, "Circus Freak show".
Karl Lucas - Actor
Karl Lucas is a comedian, actor and writer who has written for and appeared in a number of television, music videos and radio comedy programmes, as well as various theatre productions. Karl worked on Galaxy 102's "Breakfast show" which collectively won three Sony Awards for Best Breakfast Show and he was also awarded his own Sony Award (Bronze) for his part of the "Sticker Vicar" in 1999.
Karl is a graduate of Salford University,with a B.A. Honours and HND in Performing Arts. He is one of a handful of performers who have graduated from Salford University with distinction and is entered in their '"Hall of Fame".
Karl played "Richard", a member of the fictional Pop group "2 Up, 2 Down" on Peter Kay's "Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly On Ice", a spoof on the talent show genre. Some of the shows most memorable moments saw "2 Up 2 Down" singing a duet with Rick Astley, getting Hip-Hop dance lessons from Lionel Blair and "Richard's Rap" in the middle of "The Winner's Song" , which was co-written by Gary Barlow.
Jakki Perkins - Singing Coach
Jakki is an ex-head girl of Chetham’s School Of Music, who continued her studies at The Royal Northern College Of Music. West End credits include "Showboat" - a joint production with Opera North and The Royal Shakespeare Company. In the North West she has worked at Opera North, Oldham Coliseum Theatre in "Little Shop Of Horrors" and in "The Human Voice" - a one woman opera with Music Theatre Manchester.
As an international session singer she has toured as a backing vocalist and recorded on EMI and Universal for artists including Russell Watson and Anthony Newley.
Television credits include "Coronation Street", "Emmerdale", "Phoenix Nights", "All The Small Things" and "Prime Suspect II".
Jakki has eighteen years' experience as a singing and piano teacher and has worked as a Musical Director for Community Arts Northwest, and continues that role with three choirs.
Marcus Romer - Director
Marcus Romer is the Artistic Director of Pilot Theatre. He works as a director, writer and actor. He is a published playwright whose work includes "Rumble Fish", "Out Of Their Heads", "Taken Without Consent", "Looking For JJ", "Fungus The Bogeyman" and "Bloodtide".
As an actor he has appeared in "Prime Suspect", "GBH", "Hillsborough", "This Is Personal", "Shipman", "Emmerdale", "Coronation Street", "Heartbeat", "Dalziel And Pascoe", "The Bill", "The Cops", "Micky Love", and "City Central".
As a director he has directed and won three M.E.N awards for "Lord Of The Flies", adapted by Nigel Williams, and "Beautiful Thing". Other directing work includes "Sing Yer Heart Out For The Lads", "Road", "Bloodtide", "The Beauty Queen Of Leenane", "Kiss Of The Spiderwoman", "Mirad, A Boy From Bosnia", "Rumble Fish", "Look Back In Anger", "The Elephant Man", "Fungus The Bogeyman", "The Twits" and "Looking For JJ" which won the TMA award in 2008 for best production for young people.
He created the opening event at the 2007 IIFA Bollywood Oscars at Sheffield Arena, for a live audience of 15,000 and a TV audience of 500 million with KMA with whom he also made the promo movie for the getintotheatre website.
He studied at Leeds University and received a B.Ch.D in 1983. He is on the Management Committee for Magic-Net a seven year Culture 2000 European Theatre Programme.
Melissa Sinden - Actor
Since leaving Manchester Metropolitan University in 1988, after studying Drama, Melissa Sinden has worked not only as a professional actor but also as a voice actor and commercial voice over for more than 20 years, working for studios and radio stations all over the country.
Her versatility has enabled her to work in many fields where the spoken - and sometimes sung recorded voice is needed, from poetry, book readings and radio drama for the BBC, to radio and television commercials; from corporate training videos to "Cashier Number 4, Please" in the bank! From Background Clucker in "Chicken Run", to flatulent dragon "Margot" in the recently screened animation "Muddle Earth" for CBBC, she's been there, done it and gained several T-Shirts in the voice world.
Adam Sutherland - Director
Adam has been acting professionally since the age of five and his directorial debut was a new adaptation of Charles Kingsley’s "The Water Babies" for Northern Broadsides in 2007.
He has developed a rehearsal process based on his experience as a professional actor, working with directors such as Nicholas Hytner, Michael Grandage, Barrie Rutter and Lee Beagley. One of his biggest influences is the internationally acclaimed director David Glass who gave him the opportunity to assistant-direct his flagship piece, "Gormenghast" and since then has mentored his move into direction. In 2008, he directed "Heidi, A Goats Tale" for Northern Broadsides. The show was wonderfully received across the country, made its way into the best pick lists of The Guardian, Independent and Times and was nominated for the T.M.A. Best Play For Children and Young People Award. Other credits include: "Treasure Island" for Northern Broadsides. In 2010 "Knife Edge" (Hardgraft Theatre Company) at the Lowry, Manchester and was invited to direct "A Number and Twenty:20" for the Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, Summer Season "The Hunt for the Scroobious Pip". (**** Guardian review) and also remounted "Heidi, A Goats Tale" for the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield.
In April 2010, Adam was made artistic director of Imove’s "Don’t Just Sit There" project. A Cultural Olympiad project with partners as diverse as Northern Ballet, Phoenix Dance and the Rugby Football League.
Adam has taught at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, ALRA North, Colne Valley High School and led workshops from York to London, Singapore to Seattle.
Ella Vale - Choreographer
Ella is a professional movement director, choreographer and performer. She trained with the N.A.T.D as a dancer before attending the Manchester Metropolitan School of Theatre.
She has worked all over the country at theatres such as the West Yorkshire Playhouse, the Library Theatre Manchester and the Colchester Mercury Theatre and has worked with prestigious movement directors such as Liam Steel and Georgina Lamb (Frantic Assembly).
She specialises in physical and devised theatre taking inspiration from Alexander Technique, Five Rhythms and European companies such as Song of the Goat Theatre. Recent work includes movement director for "A Clockwork Orange" at the Glasgow Citizen’s Theatre and "The Snow Queen" at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. She is also a talented musician and professional singer and has taught and lectured in all areas of the arts.
June West - Casting Director
Having enjoyed an illustrious career as casting director at ITV Granada June has worked on numerous prestigious award-winning dramas, comedy series, drama-documentaries and, of course, the longest running soap in history – "Coronation Street".
June is now a freelance casting director and with the benefit of over 30 years experience working with some of the most celebrated talent in our industry there is nothing that June doesn’t know about the business of television casting. She can boost a list of credits second to non including "Coronation Street" (1997-2003), "The Road To Coronation Street", "Cold Blood", "The Royal Family", "The Street", "Boy Meets Girl", "The Grand" and "Blue Murder" to name but a few!
Philip Wood - Director
Philip Wood is a television drama director with over twenty five years experience in the broadcast industry. His directing credits include "Brookside", "Coronation Street" and "Emmerdale". He has taught throughout his career demystifying the craft of acting and directing for screen, enabling and empowering students to own the skills required to look and sound good on screen and so get work.
Institutions Philip has taught for include; Universities, The BBC, Granada and Yorkshire Television. He produced and programmed "Television and Young People", the educational arm of the Edinburgh International TV Festival.
Philip believes the only wrong question is the question that isn’t asked. So come and ask…
Rachel Wrigley - Dance Coach
As a child Rachel trained locally at the Gwyneth Hare school in Urmston, after which she went on to full time dance/musical theatre training at Laine Theatre Arts, Epsom.
Her career as a performer has taken her all over the world; the roles of dance captain for Royal Caribbean International's onboard productions, soloist/assistant choreographer for numerous theatre shows in Portugal, Italy, Norway and most recently as a backing dancer/assistant choreographer on a worldwide 1980's Nostalgia tour.
She has worked extensively over the past sixteen years as a dancer and choreographer in commercial/corporate and musical theatre fields. Clients include Adidas, Seven Seas, Manchester United, Wahl, Mercedes, Hoopers and Selfridges.
Rachel has appeared over recent years at the Opera House, Manchester in three pantomines for First Family Entertainment as dance captain/actress/understudy for leading roles. She now enjoys being based in Manchester as a freelance teacher and seeing her pupils achieve the best they can.