James Westphal
Course Leader
James is a neurodiverse Actor, Writer and Coach originally from Portsmouth and based in London. He trained in Acting at ArtsEd as the Leverhulme Scholar and graduated with a first-class degree. He also holds a Masters in Psychological Sciences from Brunel University. As well as running the Part-Time Foundation Acting course at ArtsEd, James is an associate lecturer at University of the Arts London and a visiting lecturer and project director at Performers College. He has worked at a host of other drama schools and institutions, such as Identity School of Acting, where he was the Part-Time Resident Acting Tutor. He also runs his own public speaking and acting coaching company, James Westphal Creative Development, working with CEO’s, business leaders and actors from Theatre, TV and Film. He is passionate about helping others achieve their full potential, creating safe and creatively fulfilling spaces in which people can grow, thrive and excel.
Theatre credits include: Dead Low(Chichester Festival Theatre), Driftwood (ThickSkin&Pentabus, UK Tour – Chichester Festival Theatre, Lowry, Traverse, 2025) The Band Back Together (Arcola, London), A-Typical Rainbow (Turbine Theatre, London, Aria Entertainment), Other Hands (Bridewell Theatre, TuffLuv Theatre), The Sam Wanamaker Festival (The Globe), A Wake In Progress (Edinburgh Fringe, Underbelly, Fine Mess Theatre), A Child of Science (Bush Theatre, R&D).
Film and TV credits include: Code Of Silence (ITV), NOMAD (TXL Films), The Paramedics, You Got A Face On (Liftoff, Pinewood), Sweetheart (MetFilm School) and Murphy’s Law (Short).
James’ play Better Yet? was shortlisted for the Original Theatre Playwrighting Award in 2022 and is currently being developed. And his shortfall PLAYM8 is currently in production.
Polly Jordan
Classical
Polly trained as an actor at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London. As an actor, Polly’s theatre credits include Trespass (UK Tour), Blithe Spirit (Swansea Grand Theatre), Blood + Chocolate (York Theatre Royal/Pilot Theatre) and Beacons (Devonshire Park Theatre). Polly’s work as an assistant director includes UK Tours of Invincible (Original Theatre Company) and Not about Heroes (Blackeyed Theatre).
Polly is an associate lecturer across several of the UK’s top drama schools including Central, Mountview and ArtsEd. Her pedagogical approach is person-centred and rooted in exploration and play. She is co-founder of Ace Audition Coaching where she works as an audition coach and mentor to emerging actors pursuing actor training.
James Cooney
Classical
James trained as an actor at LIPA and has an MA in Actor training and coaching from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, London.
James has worked across a range of media. He was nominated for Best Actor at the Off West End Awards for Bottleneck by Luke Barnes. In 2016, James began working with The Royal Shakespeare Company. His credits include Hamlet, King Lear and The Taming of the Shrew amongst others. His most recent theatre work was Hamlet Hail to the Thief, a co-production between The RSC and Factory International, fusing Hamlet with the 2003 Radiohead album. James has worked for The Old Vic, Almeida Theatre, National Theatre, Shakespeare’s Globe, Headlong and more.
TV credits include the Disney+ Star Wars spin-off series Andor, as well Casualty, The ABC Murders and Silent Witness for The BBC. James has also worked in radio and voice over for commercials and video games.
As an acting tutor, James is the acting for screen tutor at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama for the BA Acting course. He is also a visiting lecturer for Arts Ed, Performers College, Rose Bruford and Italia Conti amongst others. James has ran workshops for New Earth Theatre, Almeida For Free and The Royal Exchange Youth Theatre. He is a trustee for Theatre Centre and a Rising Waves mentor.
Skye Hallam
Meisner
Skye is an Anglo-Indian actress, writer, director and acting tutor from Kingston Upon-Thames. Skye trained at RADA, graduating in 2016 and made her stage debut with TARA Theatre in ‘Paradise of the Assassins’. Her acting credits include ‘The Crown’ (Netflix) and ‘The Alienist’ (Netflix) and Sarah Ruhl’s ‘Orlando’, at the Jermyn Street Theatre. As a director Skye’s directing credits include, Offie Nominated ‘Heads or Tails’ for the Living Record Festival and Brighton Fringe Online, ‘Hamlet’and ‘The Tempest’ at LAMDA and ‘Phantasmagoria’ as assistant director with Kali theatre. Skye is an associate acting tutor specialising in Meisner technique at various drama schools including RADA, LAMDA and Arts Ed. Skye also sits on the audition panel for the Foundation, BA and MFA courses at LAMDA.
Ben Castle-Gibb
Screen Acting
Ben trained at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before graduating from The Arts Educational Schools London (ArtsEd) BA Acting Course.
Most recently, Ben starred as series lead PC Adam Watson in The Hairdresser Mysteries on BBC One. He also features in Aidan Zamiri’s A24 film The Moment, starring alongside Charli XCX, Alexander Skarsgård, and Patricia Arquette.
His other television credits include The Witcher (Netflix), YOU (Netflix), House of The Dragon (HBO), Hollyoaks (Channel 4), and Doctors (BBC). He will also be guest-starring in the new ITV show Winter in September 2026.
Ben made his professional stage debut starring as Victor Frankenstein in the UK tour of Rona Munro’s Frankenstein. His stage work also includes Gareth Farr’s Biscuits for Breakfast at the Hampstead Theatre and FOLK at the Frinton Summer Theatre. Radio Credits include: Turning Points: First Folio for BBC Radio 4.
Kiren Virdee
Movement
Kiren Virdee is a Movement and Dance Tutor and Lecturer, Movement Director, Choreographer, Theatre-Maker, Devisor, and Performer. She is interested in both professional and community contexts and regularly works in teaching and facilitation in a variety of setting. Her approach is one of empowerment, agency, accessibility, and rigour. She has worked with a variety of organisations including The Place, Trinity Laban, Siobhan Davies, Central School of Speech and Drama, Fourth Monkey, and London School of Dramatic Art. Kiren has an MA in Movement Directing and Teaching from Central School of Speech and Drama (with distinction); and previous training at Trinity Laban (with distinction, the Audrey Wethered Award, and the Choreography Prize).
Credits for movement direction include: Brown Girl Noise, Riverside Studios (movement and choreography); Wish You Weren’t Here, Theatre Centre: UK Tour including Sheffield Theatres and Soho Theatre; Seize the Cheese, New Wimbledon Theatre Studio (movement, choreography, and intimacy); Breeding, Grey Area, King’s Head Theatre (movement and intimacy); Raya, Hampstead Theatre. Associate work includes: The Jungle Book, Chichester Festival Theatre; Two Billion Beats, Orange Tree Theatre.
Performance credits include: Feel Me, The Paper Birds Theatre Company: National Tour (Performer and Devisor); Does Anyone Else Smell Curry?, Omnibus Theatre, Bread & Roses Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe Festival (performer, devisor and writer).
Robine Landi
Voice
Robine’s work includes collaborations with leading artists from film, theatre, opera and dance and she enjoys a varied career as an actress, singer and animateur. An experienced coach and workshop leader, Robine has worked with Sonia Friedman Productions, the National Theatre, The Birmingham Stage Company, Soho Theatre, Opera Holland Park and Pegasus Opera. As a lecturer of voice and acting she has taught for the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Mountview, the Urdang Academy, Arts Ed, Italia Conti and Trinity Laban. She has been Head of Musical Theatre for Urdang International in Dubai and the Dang Collective in London.
Performance credits include:
Theatre: Songs from Sondheim (The Lowry, Manchester), Masterclass (English Theatre Frankfurt), Sweeney Todd (West End and Chichester Festival Theatre), Laugh and Be Happy (Minerva Theatre, Chichester), Coco (Sadlers Wells), The Vaudevillains (Charing Cross Theatre and The Lowry), State Fair (Finborough and Trafalgar Studios), First Lady Suite (Union Theatre), Me and My Girl (London Palladium), Back to Broadway (UK and Mexico tour), Dust (Tricycle Theatre), Tiny Shows (The Copenhagen Interpretation), The Dots (Touring Cabaret).
Opera: La Rondine, Le Nozze di Figaro (Opera Holland Park), The Clothesburger (Southbank Centre), Dancing on Armistice Day (UK/France tour), Hear Them Roar, Walk Out of Yourself (The Voicings Collective for Opera Harmony-final shortlist)
Film/Television: Hope and Glory (BBC), Interference (Short Film)
Workshops: The Hills of California, Hallowed Ground, The Miller’s Wife, The Ruby Necklace, The Man in the Room.
Voice artist work: Tubby and Enid (BBC), Sweeney Todd (West End Cast Recording), Cool Rider (West End Cast Recording), Singleton Whiskey (Advert), Ronseal (Advert), Astronaut (Short Film), TAMED or It’s Hard to Get a Real Horse (Flight of the Escales)
Jack Dickon
Improvisation
Jack is an actor, director and facilitator who has training from ArtsEd and LAMDA. He has mentored actors across a variety of settings, helping them secure top agent representation, successful admission to leading UK and US drama schools and book professional work across the West End, National Theatre and major Film & TV productions. Most recently, Jack directed and produced a performance at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre.
In his teaching, Jack creates a safe and playful space for actors to explore their craft. His approach encourages students to release their inhibitions, trust their impulses and take creative risks. With a primary focus on uplifting and championing the actor, Jack ensures every artist feels comfortable and confident about their ability and work.
Shanice Sewell
Audition Technique & Devising
Shanice is a theatre director and creative facilitator with a background in collaborative and devised theatre. She trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, developing her practice across acting, performance and ensemble-led creation and has also spent time on audition panels at Central. Alongside her creative work, Shanice has extensive experience facilitating workshops and supporting performers to build confidence, make bold choices and develop their individual voice. Her audition technique sessions combine practical industry insight with a fun, supportive and actor centred approach.
Steven Kavuma
Project Director
Visiting Industry Professionals Include:
Rikki Beadle-Blair MBE
Becky Rossmaur (CDG)
Ben Castle Gibb
Marcus Ellard
Paris Hoxton (Nicholas Hockaday Casting)
