our staff

Emma Jane Taylor - Principal and Director of Stageworks Ltd - Dance Coach

Emma Jane has trained in the Performing Arts since she was 3 years old and she opened StageWorks in 2000 at The HAODS Studio in Henley. She has developed the school with her team of instructors to become one of the most recognised Performing Arts schools in the home counties. Emma Jane has been in the Performing Arts industry all her life and has been fortunate enough to perform in the West End, television and various other professional performances as a dancer - Wembley Arena for World Dance, fashion shows, cabaret in and around the UK.

Emma Jane has choreographed, directed and produced many shows - Summer Holiday, West Side Story, Little Shop of Horrors, Me and my Girl, Pickwick, Kiss me Kate to name but a few she has choreographed- musicals, pantomimes, dinner dances, fashion shows, showcases, variety shows as well as choreographing the leading Thames Valley Chorus Barbershoppers to their silver trophy win in Harrogate, she has also been on BBC Radio 'Under the Spotlight' and has worked at The Mill in Sonning for the actors’ retirement charity.

Emma Jane enjoys her work at StageWorks very much 'The children give you so much satisfaction - they work so hard and we have SO much fun with them. I have watched them develop over the years and I am very proud of each and every one of my students. I am also very lucky to be able to work with such a dedicated, positive and happy team!

It is also rewarding when some of our students are chosen to be in professional shows, TV and Film. Not all the students desire to be on the Big Screen or Treading the Boards but those that do have ample opportunities with us.

If you would like further information on my private work or adult tap/dance classes please visit my website  www.emmajanetaylor.co.uk or call 01491 877205

Lloyd White - Drama Coach

Lloyd has been acting and directing in one form or another for most of his life and brings a vast amount of experience to his teaching role with Stageworks. Lloyd has worked with several different companies both locally and further afield and has experience in many different aspects of theatre work both on stage and off. The course Lloyd teaches includes working in different acting styles and techniques as well as learning about the technical side of theatre work, auditions, diction, character building, working with scripts and direction. The aim is to build not only the skills of the students but their confidence in performing.

Sally-Anne Coleman - Drama/Dance and Performance Coach and Manager - Benson/Caversham/Friday in Henley on Thames

A keen lover of the arts who took to the stage at the tender age of five.  Training in all areas of dance she was a student at the Caversham Dance Centre and has awards in tap, ballroom, latin american and disco.  Also awards in drama and theatre/performing arts. She had the opportunity to not only perform in many musicals and straight plays but also direct, choreograph, and stage manage many shows. To her list of credits-Performed at either the Kenton Theatre Henley or the Hexagon Theatre Reading. Dance/cameo parts in; The Wizard of OZ, Fame, Once Upon a Time, Singing in the Rain, Charlie Chaplain, The Wiz, Charlie in the Chocolate Factory, Little Shop of Horrors, Peter Pan, Alice in "Alice in Wonderland", Penny/Shirl in "Slice of Saturday Night", Lena in "Bugsy Malone", Miss Hannigan in "Annie". Directing/stage managing - Daisy Pulls it Off, Bugsy Malone, Vacuees, Anne of Green Gables and Alice in Wonderland. Previously working as assistant entertainment manager for Warner Leisure Breaks. Prior to this she performed with Fossets Circus in Dublin, toured the South of England performing as part of ‘Cameo’ Cabaret Troop.  Choreographed and appeared in many high street fashion shows.  Supplied the voice for ‘Story Time’, mobile phone advert, night club radio promotions and voice link in many production shows. A keen writer often writing scripts and children’s stories.  Would love to collaborate and write a hit show of her own one day and of course keep the lead role for herself!

Sally-Anne also teaches the JUST DANCE classes in Henley and Caversham on a Wednesday/Thursday evening at 6.45-7.30pm at The HAODS Studio and St Andrews Church Hall, Albert Road, Caversham - please call 07956 176166 for further information.

Ioan Havard - Drama Coach

Ioan has been involved in theatre from a very early age.  He has a wealth of knowledge both on stage & off, being an experienced crew member on many shows; set designer & builder; Stage Manager; follow spot & lighting operator; pyrotechnics and properties, as well as being an accomplished and award winning actor.  He is involved in many local companies and has performed at various venues, including The Wycombe Swan, Norden Farm, The Kenton Theatre, The Hexagon, The Kings Head, Islington and the fantastic Minack Open Air Theatre, Cornwall. A variety of acting roles include Yvan in Art, Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing, Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night, Felix in Humble Boy, as well as appearances in Cabaret, Pippin, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Beauty & The Beast. Ioan is also a regular Police Constable on ITV’s Midsomer Murders, has appeared in a Pepsi commercial and as an extra in numerous films.  As an accomplished photographer, he is official photographer for the Henley Fringe Festival

Tom Yeates - Vocal coach

Tom graduated from the Guildford School of Acting with first class honours in July 2008. He has also trained at Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.
He has appeared in numerous stage productions such as Sam, The Highest Jumper of Them All, The Finborough Theatre (for which he was also Musical Director), Oliver!, The Richmond Theatre, Anything Goes, The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, The Kitchen, The Mill Studio, A Night Out, The Electric Theatre, Hair, The Paul Macartney Auditorium and Suburbia, Fuente Ovejuna and Little Women all at The Bellairs Playhouse to name a few. His most recent work was alongside ‘King of the Jungle’ Joe Swash in Cinderella at The Central Theatre. Tom is both an actor and musician. He has been the lead singer and trombonist with the band ‘Flipsidejack’ for some years.
He has worked as a model, recently appearing in a worldwide Giorgio Armani commercial featuring Beyoncé. He also appeared in the ITV production of L’Enfance du Christ and The Richard and Judy Show. He has worked regularly as a voice over artist.

James Gwynne - Vocal Coach

James has been playing music from a very young age, first sitting down at the piano before he could walk!  An accomplished musician, playing piano, guitar, clarinet and saxophone, James is no stranger to performing.  After studying Performing Arts at DeMontfort University, James came to Henley and has established himself as a versatile and award-winning actor, with leads in such shows as Singin' In The Rain, Oklahoma!, Amadeus and Calamity Jane, to name but a few.  He has also had a couple of blink-and-you'll-miss-him appearances in Midsomer Murders.  James is delighted to be a part of the Stageworks team, and glad he can share his wealth of musical knowledge with the students

David Kemp - Vocal Coach

David began his training at the age of 12 at a local full time theatre school. At 16 he furthered his training at Millennium Performing Arts in London. Recent theatre credits include; Dancer/Vocalist & Resident Director of Songs from the Musicals starring Faye Tozer, Natty in Little Red Riding Hood and Doody in Grease (Italian Tour). David currently shares his time between producing, directing and teaching. Musical directing credits; Children of Eden, Les Miserable School Edition, ,Bugsy Malone, Honk!, High School Musical, Swinging on a Rainbow and The King of Rock (European Tour), a musical celebration of Elvis Presley. David set up his own Production Company ‘DK produktions’ in April last year and is currently in the process of producing his second pantomime. He also teaches privately and an adult Pop Choir!

Olivia Shanahan - Teaching Assistant

Olivia was a student with StageWorks since she was 8 years old, she moved into a Junior Teaching Assistant when she was 16 years and has developed her skills working with the tutors at StageWorks, she is now a teaching assistant and is studying towards Performing Arts. She has studied at college working towards a Business, Drama and English qualification. Olivia has performed in Summer Holiday, Oklahoma, Calamity Jane. Her professional credits include working with the BBC for a pilot show for children and as an extra in the St Trinians movie. She recently took the role of the Dame, Sarah the Cook in the Christmas 07 production of Dick Wittington. She has gone on to become one of our longer serving students!

Lauren Jones - Junior Teaching Assistant

Lauren has been performing at the Kenton Theatre in Henley since she was 4 years old and she joined StageWorks when it opened in 2000, she was 6 years old. She is currently in her last year at school studying her GCSE'S,  one of which is dance and she is then going on to study Drama A level. Lauren has been in many of the StageWorks shows and has enjoyed being part of the annual Christmas Shows at The Kenton Theatre, Henley. Lauren moved onto being a Junior Teaching Assistant when she was 15 years old. She has also been part of the Henley Youth Festivals,School Performances and has been involved in many auditions for shows and competitions. Most recently she played Glinda, the Good Witch in The Wiz which was the start of StageWorks 10 Year Anniversary. Lauren hopes to persue her passion for the performing arts and hopes her time with StageWorks will continue to assist her in her career.

Lois Bowles - Junior Teaching Assistant 

Jane Taylor - Accounts & Administration

Jane has worked at StageWorks since the very beginning. She does the administration and accounts for Henley. Jane is a keen performer and has performed over the years in various shows:- Cabaret, Hello Dolly, Half a Sixpence, Oklahoma to name but a few. She recently sang with the Henley Show Chorus.

If you would like to call Jane for any Henley enquiries please call 01491 877205 or email enquiries@stageworks.org.uk

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Ann Burley - Administrator

Ann joined the StageWorks team in 2006 and does the administration for Cookham.  She has been dancing since she was 7 and has appeared in a number of shows in recent years including Kiss Me Kate, Oklahoma, Oliver, Singin in the Rain, La Cage Aux Folles, Crazy for You, Hello Dolly, Guys and Dolls, Follies and all of the Step On shows.

For any enquiries about Cookham, Benson or Caversham please call Ann on 01491 877205 or email enquiries@stageworks.org.uk

Please also get in touch with Ann if you are interested in Adult tap dance classes as she teaches on a Wednesday and Thursday in Henley for beginners and improvers.