The Bournemouth Youth Theatre
Classes and Opportunities
Professional & affordable training in the performing arts
The Bournemouth Youth Theatre
Classes and Opportunities
Professional & affordable training in the performing arts
The Bournemouth Youth Theatre
Classes and Opportunities
Professional & affordable training in the performing arts
Meet The BYT Team
At The Bournemouth Youth Theatre our team are industry professionals with many years experience in their specialist field.
Nicky Ashford
Principal
BA (Hons). ALAM
Nicky has more than 20 year’s experience in the entertainment industry, performing shows such as: ‘The Sound of Music’, ‘Grease’, ‘Rent’, ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and ‘Into the Woods’ to name but a few.
She trained at Laine Theatre Arts, and was awarded ‘Head Girl’.
She graduated with their Professional Dance and Musical Theatre Diploma, her A.L.A.M and National Degree awarded by Trinity College London.
Nicky has been fortunate to work in West End Theatre, TV, Film, Theatre in Education and for several years with Royal Caribbean International as one of their Lead Production Vocalists. Performing a variety of show styles from Big band swing shows to 70’s Disco through to Musical theatre, she soon became Vocal Captain and Company Manager.​
Nicky is the school’s principal, dance teacher/choreographer, vocal and performance coach.
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She also offers private vocal and performance lessons, Trinity Rock and Pop vocal exams and works as a freelance choreographer. ​
www.nickyashford.co.uk
Nicky Ashford
Principal
BA (Hons) ALAM
Emma Henderson
Acting Coach
and Creative Director
BA (Hons)
Emma Co-owns The Bournemouth Youth Theatre with Nicky, and is an Acting and LAMDA Coach - with many years experience in teaching exam classes with a 100% pass rate.
Emma trained at Arts University Bournemouth BA (Hons) as an Actor specialising in theatre, film and voice over. Further training: The Shakespeare Institute.
Projects and professional credits include:
Stage - Twelfth Night, Daisy Pulls it Off, The Man of Mode, Lady Macbeth (Physical Theatre Stage Production), A view from the bridge, Poison Tree - (Devised Project). Film - What about us, Crossroads, Nathan and Sam. Writing - T.I.E and Workshop - Mind Games (Devised Project)
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Emma is also responsible for Photography, Graphic Design, Marketing, Advertising, HR and all things "creatively" business.
She is a professional headshot photographer for Actors and Musical Theatre performers.
Emma Henderson
Acting Coach
and Creative Director
BA (Hons)
Lauren is a Level 3 qualified childcare practitioner and is paediatric first aid trained and holds her
Level 4 SENCO.
Lauren is currently working for the NHS as a
Health Care Assistant and has previously worked as a Deputy Manager of a local pre-school and a fully trained child contact supervisor. Lauren has dedicated many years to working with young people in the local area and is passionate about helping them to grow in confidence and encourages them to achieve their full potential.
Lauren enjoys going to the theatre and reading various novels in her spare time.
Lauren Ford
Pastoral Care and Student Welfare
Bryony has been an active member of The BYT for over 12 years. She has a passion for the arts and helping others discover their own potential.
Bryony has taken part in countless shows, productions and events over the south west of england. She is currently continuing her training alongside The BYT at Brockenhurst College and is also part of our Advanced MTC programme. Bryony's main responsibilities at The BYT are to support the younger students during their dance classes and shadowing Nicky Ashford in lessons as well as helping keep our spaces Covid-19 safe. Bryony would love to continue working within the arts and supporting future young people and performers.
Bryony Nicole
Student Teacher
in Training
Guest Teachers include: West End Performers past and present, professionals in their specialist field, local talent, masterclasses,
London choreographers and performers and many more wonderful artists.
To name a few: Lucy Jane Adcock (West End performer), Stuart Rogers (Dancer and Choreographer), Bernadette Bangura (West End performer, TV Star and Singer), Amy Whittle (World Wide Performer, and Workshop leader), Taylor Walker (Performer and Creative), Laura Hicks (Professional Singer), Hannah Soulsby-Phillips (Actor and Teacher), Lauren CL (Drama Specialist), Steven Wood (Drama Specialist - Physical Theatre and Movement)
The BYT regularly have in
Guest Workshop leaders and Teachers
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To inspire and advance the students training
The Bournemouth Youth Theatre
School Patron
The Overtones - Timmy Matley
The Bournemouth Youth Theatre will forever be proud to have the talented and inspiring Timmy Matley as our school Patron and his memory will continue to inspire our students for years to come.
It was wonderful to have him visit our school and meet the students in 2016. The students were able to perform a small showcase for Timmy who was "blown away by the talent and the support they had for each other's performances" and described the showcase as, "amazing group singing, fab dancing and some wonderful acting too". As mentioned within 'Dorset Eye' (2016) he was particularly impressed by the culture of support within The BYT and commented "the way these kids supported each other and clapped for each other was so moving. They were all so excited to have me there which was so sweet. Brought me right back to how I was when I started. It was great to see so many talented boys too in the school. I'm giving these boys and girls and this fab theatre school a big thumbs up."