Meet the Team
Director of Education – Katie Wright
During her time at NAPA Katie has directed an array of successful shows in both drama and musical theatre, including the academy’s larger scale productions such as Betty Blue Eyes and the Phantom of the Opera at Hull Truck Theatre and Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hull New Theatre. Katie has a BA Honours Degree in Literature and a PGCE in Secondary English. Katie has experience of teaching both English and Drama at Key stage 3, 4 and 5. Katie has taught a variety of styles of drama including voice and technique and also has a vast amount of experience teaching the LAMDA acting syllabus. Katie has supported many students in getting into degree level performing arts training at national schools such as Arts Ed, Mountview, RADA, Italia Conti and ALRA.
Director of Operations – Jamie Wilks
An experienced production manager and producer, Jamie has worked for NAPA for over 20 years in stage management and operations. He has huge creative input into the work that NAPA produces. A lot of Jamie’s leisure time is also taken up with theatre related hobbies and Jamie has performed all over the region and at the Edinburgh Fringe with various theatre companies.
Head of Dance – Julie Lovewell
After studying Dance at a local dance school for 13 years Julie then studied the ISTD Ballet, Tap, Modern, National and Greek syllabuses with Miss Gaynor Owen and her team in Liverpool for 3 years where she qualified as a Teacher for the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance. In March 1991 Julie started a few classes at The Northern Academy of Performing Arts (now Napa) and the rest they say is history!! Julie’s passion for teaching and choreography has given her so many amazing opportunities including work for ITV (This Morning, Heartbeat) BBC (Children in Need) and Billy Elliot the Musical (West End cast).
Head of Musical Theatre and Outreach – Paddy Start
Paddy trained at the prestigious Bird College graduating with a distinction in Professional Dance and Musical theatre. While training Paddy studied under tutors such as David Leighton, Nick French and Sue Brice, where he was taught a wide variety of styles and techniques both in Dance and Musical Theatre. Paddy has also passed his exams in FDI Modern and Tap with the ISTD while on NAPA’S teacher training course. He has also achieved distinction in Grade 8 London College of Music (LCM) and Rock School singing exams. Since graduating Paddy has had several professional engagements, his first was with Graeme Henderson’s Tap Company where he performed at events such as Move It and the IDTA teachers conventions. Paddy’s most notable performance was in the world premiere of Jackie the Musical where he took on the role of Robert and dance captain. While in training Paddy performed the roles of; Bill – Steel Pier, Herr Schultz – Cabaret and Ensemble/Dance Captain – The Hot Mikado. Since returning to Hull in 2013 Paddy has choreographed for an array of successful musicals, including the academy’s productions of Betty Blue Eyes, Phantom of the Opera and Hello Dolly.
Dance team:
Katy Ayres, Rebecca Tennant,
Charlie Jagger, Samuel Percy,
Jade Thrustle
Musical Theatre team:
Georgia Aldous, David Blackburn,
Sarah Sidaway, Andrew Siddle, Georgia Ham,
Corinne Cook
Acting team:
Sally Rapier, Barrie Wheatley
School Outreach team:
Georgia Aldous, Sarah Sidaway,
Paddy Start, Jade Thrustle,
Sam Robinson, Georgia Ham
Administration:
Emma Welborn (Reception), Vicky Walker (Reception)
Theatre:
Marcus Heald (Head of Stage)
Sam Percy & Sheila Wright (Wardrobe)
Café/Bar Manager:
Nikki Winsor
Cleaner:
Nikki Winsor
Fundraiser:
Tamsyn Howes (fundraiser@northernacademy.org.uk)