A drama school where everyone is welcome and no one is ever forgotten
ALUMNI
We are very proud of all our students and what they go onto achieve after being at FSD. Some of them are accepted into prestigious Drama schools and continue with their drama as a career.
LAUREN BARNES BA ACTING MOUNTVIEW SCHOOL OF ACTING
My time at FSD holds some of my fondest childhood memories- I loved every moment of it! The classes, the teachers, and my classmates. I learnt so many valuable lessons and decided after a few lessons that this is what I wanted to do!
Fran was the best mentor and friend I could have asked for and gave me endless support and training in helping me further my career in acting and towards getting into drama school. FSD is still and always will be close to my heart!
Since graduating from the BA in Acting at Mountview I have worked recently worked immersive theatre, as well as co producing and performing as Viola in an open air production of Twelfth Night.
I was a student at FSD from the age of 5 to 18 and enjoyed every minute. I learnt so much about not only acting but also professionalism and how a theatre works. My time at FSD was very happy with many fond memories, and Fran is to this day one of the best teachers I have ever had.
I then went on to study Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of Birmingham where I got my BA degree and then completed a Masters in Acting at East 15 Acting school. I absolutely love being an actor and FSD played a huge part in helping me believe in myself to get to where I am today. Whislt acting I also taught at FSD. It was an absolute pleasure being with the children and seeing what wonderful ideas they came up with too! I am currently on the set of The Only Way is Essex as part of the production team.
JESSICA ROBJOHNS MASTERS ACTING EAST 15
CHARLOTTE WARREN BA ACTING ArtsEd
I was with FSD for 10 years and loved every minute of it. My favourite roles were the Feather Duster in Beauty and the Beast and Dorothy in The Wiz.
I left at 18 to join ArtsEd. Since then I have been very lucky to tour with Ghost and Joseph and the Technicolour Dreamcoat. When I am in Essex I always pop into see the FSD family and am their Vocal Coach whenever I can.
I joined FSD when I was just 4 years old. I was a student teacher from the age of 15 and continued with teaching at FSD while I did my foundation degree in Musical Theatre at Mountview . I then left to study at LSMT.
I was very lucky to play Greta in Frozen in Disneyland Paris, Gloria in Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Adelphi Theatre, Chrissie in Scroogical for West End in Schools and also Emily in Santa Claus and the Night Before Christmas at the Watford Colossium. I also got to travel the world with Aida cruises for 4 years.
I am now living in Germany working at a Bi lingual Kindergarten as their Native speaker. I haven't given up my love for Mt and am continuing to teach Musical Theatre at the English Theatre, Dussledorf.
HANNAH NUTTALL DIPLOMA IN MUSICAL THEATRE LONDON SCHOOL OF MUSICAL THEATRE
SEBASTIAN MAYO MASTERS ACTING GUILDHALL SCHOOL OF ACTING
I first joined FSD when I was four years old. It was a great way for me to meet new friends and help my confidence! I stayed with FSD until I was eighteen, achieving Distinction in my Gold Medal, when I went off to Nottingham Uni. After that, I trained as an Actor at the Guildford School of Acting where I’ve recently graduated from.
When I heard FSD were looking for another teacher, I jumped at the opportunity and I’m finding it so rewarding seeing all the kids grow with each class. Whether they want to pursue a career in performing or not, the experiences, skills and friendships you can take away from FSD are invaluable!
I also have an Agent and have recently appeared in the film 1917
ROBERT BARNES ACTING DEGREE NOTTINGHAM UNIVERSITY
I have had many roles at FSD - a student, a teaching assistant and now a teacher- I enjoy every minute of my life at FSD and have made many life-long friends!
My degree in acting is from the University of Northampton and my most recent professional acting role was in an immersive theatre production of War of the Worlds.
I am an associate artist of the theatre company N2P and have recently taken on the role of Young Change-maker at the Queens Theatre.
Working with the kids at FSD is really enjoyable and it's great watching them grow in confidence !
TOM CARSWELL MASTERS GUILD HALL SCHOOL OF ACTING
I joined FSD when I was 6, performing first as a Munchkin in The Wizard of Oz, staying with the school until I was 18, (I would still be there now if there wasn't an age limit!) Having performed in over 30 different shows with FSD over 12 years, my roles included Mowgli in The Jungle Book, The Tinman in The Wiz and Bugsy Malone. Being a part of this school and this amazing family is ultimately what made me want to pursue a career as an actor.
My passion for acting continued at the University of Manchester, whilst studying Ancient History, performing such parts as Princeton in Avenue Q, Benedick in Much Ado About Nothing and Paul in A Chorus Line, for which I received a NODA Award. Whilst at UoM, I formed the writing trio Carswell, Pearce & Pope, which led to the creation of a new musical comedy entitled The Fear. The show had a sold out run in Manchester before earning five stars and rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2018. It is currently being developed as a fully licensed musical.
I then went onto take a Masters in Acting at the Guild Hall school of Acting. I am now with an agent, auditioning for various roles
CHARLIE NOBLE. BA ACTING ROSE BRUFORD SCHOOL OF ACTING
My time at FSD was an experience that has definitely shaped who I am today. It made me realise what I wanted to do with my life and equipped me with the skills to do it. Not only that but it's also somewhere that gave me my closest group of friends for life. FSD means a huge amount to me and I'll always be grateful to Fran and everyone that's worked there for giving me the opportunity to learn and laugh a lot!
I've completed my BA in Acting at Rose Bruford and am now with an agent .I toured with with Young Shakespeare company and have taken part in an internet version of The Secret Life of Ophelia. Just waiting for a little more normality now.
CAMERON STEWART CURRENTLY TRAINING AT ROSE BRUFORD SCHOOL OF ACTING
I joined FSD when I was just 4 years old and played many parts from a Bumble Bee to Mrs Doubtfire and finally Prince Eric in Little Mermaid. I am so lucky to continue my Dramatic Journey at Rose Bruford School of Acting
EMILY O SULLIVAN CURRENTLY TRAINING AT MOUNTVIEW SCHOOL OF ACTING
I had a fantastic 10 years at FSD. When I joined at the age of 8, I was shy but loved dancing, singing and art. I was lucky enough to win a place on the FSD summer workshop at my school fete and absolutely loved every second of it, so I joined immediately that September.
FSD have helped me discover my love for acting and achieve my goals, by giving me the confidence and skills to successfully be selected as a member of the National Youth Theatre and to be accepted into Mountview drama school. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without my FSD family.
CALLUM SOWDEN PANTOMIMES AT CHELMSFORD CIVIC THEATRE
I’ve been at FSD since I was 6 and it undoubtedly helped me to have the confidence to audition and perform on stage. I’d already been in shows with FSD at Chelmsford Civic theatre so it was familiar to me which really helped.
Peter Pan at Chelmsford civic, Christmas 2014. I was the oldest and leader of the lost boys and had to learn lines, dances and songs. This was an open audition that I saw advertised.
Aladdin at Chelmsford civic, Christmas 2015. I was one of Abanazer’s minions (again the tallest one!) and like the previous year I had to learn lines, dances and songs. I was invited to audition because of performing the previous year.
Jack & Beanstalk at Chelmsford civic, Christmas 2016. I was one of Fleshcreeps creepers (and yes, I was the tallest one again!). This time I didn’t have to audition as the producer had seen me perform in the last two pantomimes.
Peter Pan at Chelmsford Theatre, Christmas 2019. My last pantomime as a Lost Boy but this time I got to sing a solo!
I absolutely loved doing the pantomimes although they are really intense and hard work. You don’t get many days off but I’ve met some amazing people and have made friends for life.
Some of our students gain professional work whilst they are still at FSD
TYLER OSBORNE RUNNING WILD AT REGENT'S PARK OPEN AIR THEATRE AND PANTOMIMES AT THE CHELMSFORD CIVIC THEATRE
I joined FSD when I was 4 years old and have enjoyed every single moment since, I have made friends for life and learned skills that will help me in the future. Without FSD, I would never have managed to have to confidence to audition for anything, or even perform or speak in front of people.
My personal biggest achievement was in 2016, when I landed the lead role in Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Running Wild’ at Regent’s park open air theatre, in the west end. After a lot of hard work (and some help from the amazing FSD teachers) I managed to be cast as the part of Will, who spent 80% of the show on stage by himself! It was very scary and exhausting for 8 months, but it was also so rewarding and I have made memories to last a lifetime.
I have also appeared in five pantomimes at Chelmsford Civic Theatre: Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Perks of never having a growth spurt), and Peter Pan twice. Most recently I played the lead Lost Boy ‘Slightly’, and even got to sing a whole solo!
Throughout these experiences, I have been able to learn and improve new skills, and meet some amazing people and work with some very successful and famous performers. It was very hard work and tiring processes, but I’ve made some amazing memories and friends, and it wouldn’t have been possible without my FSD family!
