The Claire Goodwin Theatre Arts School
Dancing, singing, acting and performance for students aged 3 and up
Teachers
Laura Goodwin
Laura was at the school from the age of two until she left to study musical theatre at The Arts Educational School in London. After graduating she spent ten years working in all aspects of dance, drama and musical theatre; ranging from opera through to urban street jazz.
In 2004 she founded, and ran, her own theatre production company where she produced, co-directed and choreographed a musical revue which toured throughout the country. During this time she was lucky enough to work alongside several stars of the West End. She also travelled to New Zealand where she was asked to teach dance and musical theatre to future graduates, at the Wellington School of Performing Arts. On her return to this country she decided to come back to her roots and is now coaching future stars of stage and screen, helping them achieve their dream!
Her extensive knowledge of theatre, both on stage and behind the scenes, has given Laura a broad range of expertise to pass on to her students. In addition to this she claims she has the best job in the world and wouldn't trade with anybody!!
She also once shook hands with George Lucas and sat behind Samuel L. Jackson at the world premier of Star Wars (she forgets which episode), has sold a programme to Alan Rickman although, allegedly, he didn't actually pay for it. And, most bizarrely, in an unusual turn of events was rushed on as Ruth Madoc's understudy, as a rather unlikely wicked queen - without the slightest trace of a Welsh accent!
In 2004 she founded, and ran, her own theatre production company where she produced, co-directed and choreographed a musical revue which toured throughout the country. During this time she was lucky enough to work alongside several stars of the West End. She also travelled to New Zealand where she was asked to teach dance and musical theatre to future graduates, at the Wellington School of Performing Arts. On her return to this country she decided to come back to her roots and is now coaching future stars of stage and screen, helping them achieve their dream!
Her extensive knowledge of theatre, both on stage and behind the scenes, has given Laura a broad range of expertise to pass on to her students. In addition to this she claims she has the best job in the world and wouldn't trade with anybody!!
She also once shook hands with George Lucas and sat behind Samuel L. Jackson at the world premier of Star Wars (she forgets which episode), has sold a programme to Alan Rickman although, allegedly, he didn't actually pay for it. And, most bizarrely, in an unusual turn of events was rushed on as Ruth Madoc's understudy, as a rather unlikely wicked queen - without the slightest trace of a Welsh accent!
Jenny Goode
Jenny joined the school at the age of 3 and first performed a few months later in the 1991 production of Peter Pan dressed as a lime green jelly baby! Over the years she has studied modern, tap, ballet and street jazz as well as singing, and tells us she couldn’t wait for Christmastime- not for the presents and chocolate, but because that’s when the school would perform its annual show.
Her first principal role was the age of six when she played ‘Chip’ in Beauty and the Beast. Jenny remembers dancing on stage with the ‘bigger’ girls (including Laura) and wanting to be just like them! In 2004 she played ‘Belle’ in the production of Beauty and the Beast, and a few years later the ‘Scarecrow’ in The Wizard of Oz
Although she no longer appears in the shows Jenny is thrilled to be involved with the creation of them. She has achieved her life long ambition to teach and is particularly happy to be teaching here at the school where it all began for her, and where she is excited and eager to pass on all her years of experience to her students. She hopes they enjoy it as much as she always has – but perhaps not as a lime green jelly baby!
Her first principal role was the age of six when she played ‘Chip’ in Beauty and the Beast. Jenny remembers dancing on stage with the ‘bigger’ girls (including Laura) and wanting to be just like them! In 2004 she played ‘Belle’ in the production of Beauty and the Beast, and a few years later the ‘Scarecrow’ in The Wizard of Oz
Although she no longer appears in the shows Jenny is thrilled to be involved with the creation of them. She has achieved her life long ambition to teach and is particularly happy to be teaching here at the school where it all began for her, and where she is excited and eager to pass on all her years of experience to her students. She hopes they enjoy it as much as she always has – but perhaps not as a lime green jelly baby!
Emma Hughes
Emma is from Winchester and spent three years at Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts training in all aspects of performing. After graduating with a Diploma she spent time working on various projects including touring abroad as a lead vocalist and singing live at Her Majesty’s Theatre London the home of the famous Phantom of the Opera. Since returning home and to her roots Emma has recently partnered up with the council to lead workshops involving dance, drama and singing to address the issues of team work, co operation and respect.
Emma loves working with her students, following and achieving their dreams and when she isn’t doing that she is performing herself in Trinity, a three piece band that she leads. Emma is so pleased to be able to share her passion of music through teaching and loves her job!
Emma loves working with her students, following and achieving their dreams and when she isn’t doing that she is performing herself in Trinity, a three piece band that she leads. Emma is so pleased to be able to share her passion of music through teaching and loves her job!