ABOUT KIRKHAM HENRY PERFORMING ARTS
Alumni & Archive
Elizabeth Armstrong
Training: Kirkham Henry Performing Arts / The Urdang Academy
Theatre includes: Hamilton (Ensemble / u/s Peggy Schuyler / Maria Reynolds - Victoria Palace Theatre); Hairspray (Tammy / u/s Amber Von Tussle; Penny Pingleton; Female Authority Figure - UK Tour); Jack & The Beanstalk (Princess Jill - Parkwood Theatres); Broadway to Hollywood (Festival Jardins Pedralbes, Barcelona); West End Does (Fortune Theatre & Cadogan Hall)
Television includes: Blue Peter (Hairspray), Boots (Commercial)
Other credits: The Lobster Ball (Cece Penniston, Crystal Waters, Julie McKnight & Robin S); Tropic Skincare (NEC Birmingham); Colour and Light (The Tellers Company); The After School Death Day Club (Evans & Ives - R&D)
Instagram/TikTok: @elizabethgracearmstrong
Beth is leaving Hamilton in June 2025 to start rehearsals for an exciting revival production opening in the renowned Open Air Theatre in Regents Park over summer. 2025
Elizabeth Boag
Elizabeth is a stage and screen actress based in North Yorkshire, working across the UK, the US and Europe. Since being selected from over 10,000 applicants to perform in the inaugural Old Vic New Voices 24 hour plays back in 2005, she has specialised in collaborating on new writing. She has worked extensively with living legend, Sir Alan Ayckbourn, premiering his new plays in the UK and the US and she continues to collaborate with writers and directors of new work for both stage and screen.
Danielle Delys (Brown)
Danielle began her theatre & dance training at Kirkham Henry Performing Arts Centre in North Yorkshire. Following the completion of her A Levels, at age 18 she took up her first professional position as a dancer/vocalist for Déja Vu on Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, enjoying two years of exploring the world, refining her skills & gaining incredible life experiences. She furthered her training at Doreen Bird College, Kent, graduating in 2012 with a First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Dance & Musical Theatre Studies. Since, Danielle has enjoyed success as a performer, creative & teacher both internationally & here at home in the U.K.
Danielle is currently Resident Children’s Director for Cameron Mackintosh & Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins’ musical. She also heads a successful LAMDA department for The Anglo European School, Essex.
“Kirkham Henry was absolutely the foundation for everything I now do professionally. I will be forever grateful for my time in that building, in those studios, with all of those wonderful people.”
Credits include; MARY POPPINS - Children’s Director / Assistant Dance Captain / Cross Swing / Cover Miss Lark / Mrs Corry - London, Germany, International tour. CATS - Sillabub / Onstage Swing - Thunerseespiele Switzerland. CHICAGO - Hunyak - Stage Entertainment Germany. ICH WAR NOCH NIEMALS IN NEW YORK - Ensemble - Thunerseespiele Switzerland. ROYAL CARIBBEAN PRODUCTIONS - dancer/vocalist. A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Choreographer - Antic Disposition. DICK WHITTINGTON - Children’s director / Dance Captain /Cover Fairy Godmother - Oxford Playhouse. FRED OLSEN CRUISE LINES - dancer/vocalist.
Hannah Richardson
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Laurie Scarth
Laurie is originally from North Yorkshire joining Kirkham Henry Performing Arts School at the age of 3. Here she learnt Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Singing , Acting and many other elements of performing arts. Laurie moved to London at 18 to train at Arts Educational Chiswick graduating in 2007 with a 1st BA Hons Degree in Musical Theatre.
Acting credits include : Jan, Grease, London Piccadilly, David Ian Productions.
Martha "High School Musical", Hammersmith Apollo, Stage Entertainment/Disney.
Martha/ 1st cover Ms Darbus HighSchool Musical Uk Tour.
Tracy Turnblad, 1st Uk Tour, Hairspray, Stage Entertainment.
Sister Mary Patrick, Sister Act UK Tour, Stage Entertainment.
Alice Fitzwarren, Dick Whittington, Oxford Playhouse.
Hannah, The WindRoad Boys, Durham Gala Theatre.
Laurie is extremely proud to have worked with Dame Gillian Lyne, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sir Trevor Nunn and Bill Deamer to create the new version of the Gumbie “Jenny any-dots” in the London revival of Cats, London Palladium along Nicole Scherzinger and Kerry Ellis.
Teaching Experience :
Laurie has been lucky enough to teach up and down the UK and Ireland delivering guest teaching and guest masterclasses at various schools and colleges such as Arts Educational, Laine Theatre Arts, Leeds Conservatoire, Performers, Emil Dale Academy and many more.
Laurie was head of dance and Gap course leader at Emil Dale Academy, Hitchin, Hertfordshire. This was a position she created and held from 2016 - 2023.
An integral member of senior managment helping to build, shape and establish 3 incredibly successful courses.
Including helping to write the BA Hons degree in Musical Theatre course which is now in its 7thyear. Seeing an extremely high number of our students go onto further training at top colleges, dance schools and training facilities over the UK as well as graduates in the West End/ International Touring circuit and Television has been a privilege.
With over 20 years of professional experience within the world of Musical Theatre 10 of those years of experience in Further and Higher Musical Theatre Education. Laurie has honed her pre vocational knowledge and specialises in preparation for young artists who seek to progress to higher level training.
Laurie was recently assistant director Hayes Panto of Aladdin at the Beck Theatre for Imagine Theatre Company.
Laurie is currently a member of the Acting Department at Laine Theatre Arts specialising in Acting through Song and guiding all year groups in preparation for the industry. She is a Lecturer of Technical Jazz Dance at Leeds Conservatoire and Musical Theatre Coach for Forte Dance Studio, Little Hadham.
Laurie has also just been announced as the new creative director of Spirit Young Performers a position she is thrilled to be part of helping to grow an already extremely successful school in London designed for young artists Age 8-20.
Éilish Coady
My time at Kirkham Henry was a huge part of my life, with Miss Angela helping me train for my major RAD ballet examinations, and all the team there helping me with my dance college audition prep. Upon leaving Kirkham Henry I gained places at 4 major dance colleges and in the end took a scholarship place at Bird College of Dance and Musical Theatre, London.
After graduating in 2009, I spent many years working for The Walt Disney Company, as a Dancer & Face Character Performer in Disneyland Paris, France and Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan, which was such an incredible experience!
Upon ‘retiring’ from Disney, I returned home to Ireland, where my family are originally from, and I soon realised that I wanted to train to become a ballet teacher to be able to pass on the wonderful teaching techniques that had been taught to me over the years.
In 2021 I qualified with the Royal Academy of Dance, gaining my Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies, and I now work at the Wexford School of Ballet & Performing Arts in the South East of Ireland.
I am so grateful to Miss Angela for her continued friendship over the years, and she even provided wonderful help & guidance throughout my RAD teaching studies via zoom!
I continue to perform in musical productions every year, and my love of performing will stay with me for life.
Thank you Kirkham Henry for everything.
Scott Garnham
Scott Garnham is an acclaimed performer and producer based in London, UK. A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Kirkham Henry Performing Arts, Scott has built a dynamic career across theatre, film, and television, earning recognition for both his on-stage talent and his leadership in entertainment production.
As an actor, Scott is best known for starring as Matt Cunningham in the global Netflix hit Christmas on Mistletoe Farm, which ranked in the Top 10 most-watched films in 42 countries and quickly became a beloved festive favourite. His stage credits include standout roles in numerous West End productions, most notably Les Misérables (Queen’s Theatre and the 25th Anniversary O2 Arena concert), where he performed as both Marius and Enjolras, earning a BroadwayWorld UK Award. Other notable roles include Tony in Billy Elliot the Musical, Mr Maddens in Nativity! The Musical at the Eventim Apollo, and originating parts in I Can’t Sing (London Palladium), Made in Dagenham (Adelphi Theatre), and Eurobeat (Novello Theatre).
Scott’s international credits span Broadway (Jason and the Argonauts, Make Believe Gala), South Africa, Korea, New Zealand, Dubai, Germany, and Canada, where he starred as Edgar Beane in Titanic The Musical at Toronto’s Princess of Wales Theatre. He is also the co-creator and founding member of The Barricade Boys, a vocal harmony group that has toured globally to critical acclaim.
In addition to his work on stage and screen, Scott is the founder and co-owner of Sisco Entertainment, a London-based production company renowned for creating exceptional and bespoke entertainment for theatre and corporate audiences worldwide. Under his joint leadership with Simon Schofield, Sisco has produced acclaimed productions including Avenue Q in Concert (Sondheim Theatre), Made in Dagenham in Concert (London Palladium), Rose (Ambassadors Theatre), and The Best of Frankie Valli starring Peter Andre (Dominion Theatre & UK Tour). The company has also made a mark internationally with productions in the US, Monte Carlo, Dubai, New Zealand, and at sea, where their show Arte – A Moving Masterpiece for Celebrity Cruises won “Best Contemporary Entertainment at Sea” at the Magellan Awards.
Whether on stage or behind the scenes, Scott continues to bring bold, original storytelling to audiences around the world.
Hannah Grant
Having started training at Kirkham Henry at the age of 10 I took a range of classes from ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, speech & drama, drama & singing. I spent as much time here as possible, I loved every second of it and I made some friends for life. After finishing my A Levels I moved to London and completed a 1 year Foundation Course in Theatre Dance at London Studio Centre. This was a wonderful introduction to professional dance and theatre training and it really helped me build some solid foundations.
After completing my foundation year I went on to study for 3 years at Doreen Bird College. I gained a BA Hons in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. I absolutely loved my time at Bird. I had some incredible teachers and I really progressed as a performer. Bird also taught me many life skills from discipline, hard work and self motivation. After graduating in the pandemic in 2020 I signed with an agency for Dance and Musical Theatre. I did many self tapes on zoom! I decided during this time whilst the industry was quiet to train to become a Stunt Woman and member of The British Stunt Register.
I got accepted into The British Stunt Register in July 2023 and I haven’t looked back since. Being a stunt woman is the most fun, rewarding, thrilling job ever and I look forward to everything that is to come in the future. Since being qualified stunt performer I have even lucky to work on a whole range of TV/ Film productions both stunt doubling lead actresses and performing stand alone stunts.
To name a few of the productions I have worked on: The Nevers, House of The Dragon, A Good Girls Guide to Murder, Doctor Who, Fantastic Four, Casualty, Greenland 2 and some more exciting ones to come! It all started at Kirkham Henry, it was here I discovered my love for performing. All the teachers at Kirkham Henry taught me so many foundations and life lessons which I will carry with me forever. I loved spending my childhood years here, my friends and I often reminisce about old times and all the fun we had!
Lauren Hood
Lauren trained at Kirkham Henry Performing Arts from a young age before attending Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. She graduated with a First Class Honours Degree and was presented with the Gyearbour Astante Award for Acting.
Lauren made her professional debut playing the role of Carrie Pipperidge in the West End Production of Carousel, for which she received a TMA award nomination. Other theatre includes Oh What A Lovely War at Stratford East & UK Tour. Penny Pingleton in the National Tour of Hairspray, Frenchy, cover Sandy in Grease UK Tour. Lauren then played the leading role of L.V in The Rise & Fall of Little Voice and Gabriel in the Flint Street Nativity both at The Hull Truck Theatre. Laura in the UK Tour of Dreamboats and Petticoats and Martha in the UK and International tour of The Secret Garden. Lauren originated the role of Vera in Mrs. Henderson Presents in Bath before transferring to the West End. Gertie Cummings in Oklahoma at Grange Park Opera and Cathy in The Last Five Years Welsh Millennium Centre.
Lauren is thrilled to have made her TV debut for the BBC playing Betty in Victoria Wood’s Christmas Special. “A Midlife Christmas”
Lauren has successfully ran musical theatre workshops for the last 12 years across the UK and in the USA. Lauren works as a freelance acting coach and guest teaches for many performing arts schools, colleges and associate programmes across the UK.
Millie Jones
“My training at Kirkham Henry provided me with the skills to excel within my current career as a Pilates Teacher, from the understanding of the body, to the focus on dedication and determination I am grateful for everything I learned at Kirkham Henry. Aside from the training itself, I made so many amazing friends at Kirkham Henry and although we are now all across the country doing different things, we still all meet up at least a couple times a year to have a catch up!
After completing my A levels, I went on to train at Liverpool Institute Performing Arts to study dance, however due to Covid I had a bit of a change of direction and ended up completing my degree in sports psychology at Northumbria University. Since graduating I have gone on to qualify as a mat and reformer pilates teacher, and am absolutely loving it! I am fortunate enough to have been able to take my teaching full time and am now self employed teaching at studios across North Yorkshire. There are many similarities between my dance and pilates training, and I find myself taking inspiration from my dance training when planning my class flows.
I really enjoyed my time at Kirkham Henry and am grateful for all the amazing friends and memories I made there.“
Samantha Raine
English dancer and teacher Samantha Raine trained at Kirkham Henry Performing Arts (her mother’s school) and at The Royal Ballet School. She was awarded the Kenneth MacMillan Choreographic Award, 1995, and the first Dame Ninette de Valois Award, 1998. She joined the Company in 1997, was promoted to Soloist, 2006, and became Ballet Mistress, 2012, and Senior Ballet Mistress, 2019.
Her repertory included roles in Mayerling, Tales of Beatrix Potter, Les Patineurs, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Nutcracker, La Sylphide, Giselle, Agon, In the middle, somewhat elevated, My Brother, My Sisters, Dances at a Gathering, Infra, Chroma, Ballo della regina, Song of the Earth and Polyphonia. She has choreographed a short ballet for The Royal Ballet Lower School and A Little Princess for London Children’s Ballet.
Leo Rowell
"I started Kirkham Henry when I was just 14, and it was honestly the best decision I made.
Going from being a young, shy individual to a confident and empathetic performer, Kirkham Henry changed my life. Without Kirkham Henry, I wouldn't be the person and performer that I am now and I am forever grateful to all the teachers at Kirkham Henry for helping me.
The association with Ryedale Youth Theatre is something that makes Kirkham Henry so unique. Taking part in both CATS and Starlight Express have to be two of the best shows I've ever been in! Kirkham Henry helped me improve my dance skills greatly, from only being able to jazz dance to me now being at Silver Jazz and Tap and having a good understanding of Ballet of whom I am forever thankful to Miss Angela, Miss Ali, Miss Rebecca and Miss Katherine. Mr Martin helped take my singing to the next level and Miss Katherine helped me improve my acting and pronunciation.
One person I must in particular thank for everything is Miss Angela - she's more than a dance teacher, she's honestly the best principal a dance school could have. You can always speak to her whenever you have problems and even in times of self-doubt, she helps you to realise that goals are never too far out of reach.
Kirkham Henry has been a beacon of happiness in my life, one of which I hope will continue to shine brightly for years to come."