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James & Esmé Pennell-Tutill
07492961288 [email protected]A little about us...
James Pennell-Tutill, BA (Hons), PGCE, QTS
Principal & Artistic Director
Favourite show: Come From Away
Dream role: Elder Price (The Book of Mormon)
James has been involved in the performing arts since joining a part-time theatre school as a child. Since then, he has been involved in countless community and professional productions across the UK as an actor, singer, and director. James started teaching at Razzamataz Newcastle when it opened in 2016. James speaks four languages, and combined this with his love of performing, spending a year teaching music in France, where was fortunate enough to record and play some of his original music at a number of events and concerts. James is incredibly excited to have the opportunity to provide children and young people with a dynamic and fun curriculum, and a friendly environment for all. As Artistic Director, James leads the creative vision of the school as well as teaching and learning. He is passionate about helping young people to achieve their goals, as well as ensuring that all those who want to be a part of the performing arts (whether for fun, to build confidence, or as a career), can. As well as being one of the principals of Razzamataz Newcastle, James works as a vocal coach and consultant.
Esmé Pennell-Tutill, BSc (Hons), MSc
Principal
Favourite show: Heathers
Dream role: Glinda (Wicked)
Esmé joined Razzamataz Newcastle at the beginning of 2017, and has loved seeing the school grow. With an MSc in Clinical Psychology from Newcastle University, Esmé is passionate about helping young people to develop in a supportive and creative setting. Esmé leads the school in student welfare and pastoral care. She is a champion of mental wellbeing, and strongly believes that allowing children to express themselves in a safe environment can be a fantastic tool in developing confidence and other important skills for life. As well as being one of the principals of Razzamataz Newcastle, Esmé also works with children with special educational and mental health needs for Newcastle City Council.
Meg Cruse, BA (Hons), PGCE, QTS
Assistant Principal & Manager, Tots, Minis & Dance Teacher
Favourite show: Dear Evan Hansen
Dream role: Dancer in Hairspray
Having grown up taking dance and musical theatre classes from a young age, Meg graduated from Dance City’s BA (Hons) Professional Dance degree in Contemporary Dance. Meg has been assisting and teaching in both studio and education settings for a number of years and loves being part of the Razzmatazz Newcastle team! Meg is a qualified primary school teacher and loves helping children to grow in confidence and skill.
Jess Corner, BA (Hons), MFA
Head of Singing & Drama, Razz Act Teacher, Administrator
Favourite show: Hadestown
Dream Role: Hodel (Fiddler on the Roof)
Jess is a coach and theatre facilitator specialising in all things voice, whether that is spoken or sung! After training at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, she has been fortunate to work with some of the top drama schools and theatre companies across the UK. Jess performed from a young age in venues including the Royal Albert Hall, the ICC, and major stages across the North East. She is passionate about accessible and inclusive performing arts training, and has undertaken courses in supporting learners with SEND and dementia.
Anna Bartle, PAIDTA (Modern Jazz), DipTCL (Musical Theatre)
Dance & Minis Teacher
Favourite show: The Book of Mormon
Dream role: Jenna (Waitress) or Roxie Hart (Chicago)
Anna trained at SA Performing Arts Centre and qualified with a Diploma in Musical Theatre as well as a Pre-Associate Teaching Qualification in IDTA Modern Jazz. During her professional career, Anna has worked several contracts abroad as well as pantomimes all over the country. Her biggest achievement so far is performing at The Royal Albert Hall alongside Collabro and Kerry Ellis. Anna currently performs at the Purple Peacock as a dancer.
Beth Forster, BSc (Hons), PGCE, QTS
Drama & Minis Teacher
Favourite show: Wicked
Dream role: Angelica Schuyler (Hamilton) or Maureen Johnson (Rent)
Beth has always loved performing arts and attended a local theatre group from a young age, performing at the Sunderland Empire on numerous occasions and completing her L.A.M.D.A examinations there. As an adult, she returned to teach drama and support summer schools and performances. Through her own experiences and having studied Psychology at the University of Sunderland, Beth understands the importance of mental wellbeing and the positive effects singing, dance and drama can have on young people’s lives and their confidence. Beth graduated last year as a Primary Teacher, working with young people with Special needs and Social, emotional, and mental health needs. Beth is also a volunteer in Scouting and loves bringing her knowledge and passion of teaching life skills into her classroom. She is keen to come and teach at Razzamataz as she misses all things performance and can’t wait to become part of the team.
Ilsa Hartley, BA (Hons)
Teaching Assistant
Favourite show: Jekyll and Hyde
Dream Role: Roxie (Chicago) or Carrie (Carrie)
Ilsa has been performing since she was very young and fell in love with singing and theatre when she joined a similar theatre school at home in Yorkshire. She moved to Newcastle three years ago to do her undergraduate degree in Philosophy, and has decided to stay another year to do an MA (but mostly just to stay another year at Razz Newcastle!). Assisting at Razz is the highlight of her week and she can’t wait to continue to help everyone grow their confidence and theatre skills.
Lauren Johnson, BA (Hons)
Teaching Assistant
Favourite show: Les Misérables
Dream role: Dancer in Hairspray
Lauren has been training in Performing Arts from the age of 2. She has played the part of Annie and Mary Poppins at the Civic Theatre in Rotherham and has danced in ensembles for Christmas pantomimes. More recently, she has performed at the Crucible in Chris Bush’s adaptation of “Pericles" and most recently at the Prague Fringe Festival. She trained in Acting and Performance at Sheffield Hallam university and is currently undergoing a Master's at the University of Leeds in Applied Theatre and Social Change. Lauren has a keen interest in the social and political attributes of theatre and how drama is best used as a pedagogy for inspiring confidence in young children. Her work in her Master's degree centres around disability arts, pushing for drama to be used as a therapeutic tool in schools and colleges.
Hannah Scotson, BA (Hons), PGCE, QTS
Associate Teacher
Favourite show: West Side Story
Dream role: Tracey Turnblad (Hairspray)
Hannah graduated from her performing arts degree at the University of Cumbria in 2015. Hannah has been involved with music since she was young when she started learning to play the tenor horn at age 5. She then went on to have piano lessons at age 9. At this point Hannah discovered her love for singing. Hannah got her grade 8 singing when she was 14 and sang for several years as part of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir where she had many special performance opportunities such as competing in the international Eisteddfod festival (placing 3rd) and singing for Her Majesty the Queen. Hannah is now a primary school teacher in Carlisle. Outside of school, Hannah is a professional singer working as a Lay Clerk at Carlisle Cathedral. Hannah loves combining her two passions of teaching and performing while teaching at Razzamataz Newcastle.
Beth Beveridge, BA (Hons)
Dance Teacher (Maternity Leave)
Favourite show: Mamma Mia!
Dream role: Sandy (Grease)
Beth trained at Dance City where she achieved her BA (Hons) professional dance degree in the style of contemporary. During that time she worked with choreographers such as balletLORENT, Richard Chappell and Lea Anderson as well as teaching within colleges and schools in Newcastle. After completing her PCET/PGCE, she began to work in a primary school and runs dance clubs for the children. Beth is passionate about helping children reach their potential and achieve their goals. As well as her extensive dance training, Beth has also undertaken courses in mental health and wellbeing promotion.
