YOUNG ACTORS COMPANY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director
- YACtots Director
Abbie has been performing since she was very young in a variety of amateur productions. After leaving school she went on to achieve her Diploma in Musical Theatre and went on to perform professionally. As well as performing, Abbie has over 10 years' experience working with early years children. Abbie has worked teaching and directing for LDC for the past three years. It is here that Abbie discovered her passion for leading workshops and where she made her directorial debut with their first full scale production of Annie JR.
Abbie is thrilled to be joining the YAC as YACtots Director and loves to help our youngest actors build confidence, discover their creativity, learn new skills and most importantly have fun!
Job Titles:
- Creative Director
- Creative Director for Polkadot Pantomimes
Darren has been working in theatre industry straight out of college at the age of 18. He began his career as a actor and has performed in several nationwide theatre tours, Shakespeare, short film and pantomimes, before falling in love with directing and writing. He has since worked as a director on over 200 shows (150 of which being with younger actors) and has worked with The National Theatre, Ophelia Circus Theatre company, Abridge Theatre Company and 20Twenty Theatre Company, of which he was the founding member.
Darren is also a creative director for Polkadot Pantomimes and was nominated for best director in the 2021/22.
As well as directing theatre, Darren is also a published author of six psychological thrillers, signed to HarperCollins under his real name and Audible under a pseudonym BB Thomas. His work has been translated into several languages and has achieve bestseller status in 5 countries.
He has two more novels scheduled to be published in 2023.
He is delighted to now be the Creative Director for The Young Actors Company.
Justine began her acting journey at the age of 9 with the Carlton Junior Television Workshop, attending weekly workshops and learning from some of the top industry professionals. At 19, she completed a one year course at Arts Ed Drama School in London and then went on to work professionally over the last decade. Her TV credits include WPC56 (BBC1), Edge Of Heaven (ITV), Some Girls (BBC3), The Job Lot (ITV2), Doctors (BBC1), Emmerdale (ITV) and Plebs (ITV2) and she has also worked professionally on stage in plays and pantomimes.
Justine has always had a passion for working with young people and developing their creativity, imagination and craft. So whilst continuing her own acting career, she has joined the amazing team at The Young Actors Company to represent the talented youth of the company, and help them to achieve their own acting dreams.
Job Titles:
- Junior Stage & Director YACtots Director
Job Titles:
- Junior Stage Director & YACtots Director
Leigh went to Guildford School of Acting from 1987 to 1990, and then went on to be a jobbing actor working in musical theatre, straight theatre and cabaret for 23 years.
In 2012, during her time at The Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, she decided that treading the boards eight times a week away from home was no longer the way forward. Instead, she now runs her own cabaret act, Mac&Eden, with her friend - singer songwriter Joanna Eden, playing one nighters and a few different Festivals, (winning best cabaret act at the Brighton Festival 2016), alongside working as the Casting and PR Manager at The Young Actors Company. Cabaret and casting are a perfect fit!
Nikki is our Administration Manager, she helps with the day to day running of the company. Nikki worked in school Finance and Administration for many years before joining Young Actors 3 and a half years ago, she is also 1 of our chaperones and takes care of our Young actors when they are performing on stage and screen. When she isn't working for us Nikki is also a freelance 1st aid trainer and she travels all over the county delivering training.
Tony has worked across many creative industries including stage, film and radio production during his 30-year career. As well as working with the fantastic team at YAC he is also currently producing a series of true crime documentaries, and his previous film work includes music videos, interviews and commercials. His passion is to help young people understand how to make any script or performance come alive by using industry methods, production tools and processes and is excited to work with the students of the Young Actors Company to help deliver their work.
Job Titles:
- Principal and YACtots Director
Vanessa trained at the age of 18 on a 3 year scholarship. She went on to work professionally in Theatre and TV and Film. Credits include; Mimi in Guys and Dolls (Cambridge Arts Theatre), Barbara Windsor in Big Time (Stratford East Theatre Royal), Lee Nelson's Well Funny People (BBC3), BBC's Church of Now, Clouds of Grey (Moors Theatre), Show Off (Waterloo East Theatre), H.M.S Pinafore (The Little Opera House) as well as performing in various Pantomimes and voiceovers.
In 2013 she trained at The Salon Collective London, studying the Miesner technique.
Having taught for over 10 years in drama and theatre schools in and around Europe whilst working as an actor herself, she found that her passion lies working with young actors. She loves to spark their imagination and watch their confidence grow each week.
Y.A.C Talent has been representing young actors and creating opportunities to work professionally for over 25 years.