Tara Overfield Wilkinsonm hails from Peckham, London, where her dad ran the Peckham boxing club. Tara attended the infamous Sylvia Young theatre school. Upon leaving she went into the West End Production of 'Stop the World, I Want to get Off', and then into the West End production of ‘Starlight Express’.

Following on from that she continued her performing career starring in productions such as ‘The Who’s Tommy’, ‘The Full Monty’, and ‘Anette’ in the original cast of 'Saturday Night Fever' to mention a few!

Along the way Tara worked as swing, dance captain, choreographer and resident and associate director which led her on to following her career along this path.

As a creative Tara has worked UK tours and West End Productions of ‘High School Musical’, ‘Memphis’ the Musical, ‘Sister Act’ starring Cynthia Erivo, the Broadway transfer of ‘Hair’, ‘9 to 5’, ‘Motown the Musical’, ‘Come From Away’, the motion picture ‘Wonka’ as well as numerous other productions worldwide.

Currently Tara is working as the associate director in ‘Mrs Doubtfire’ the Musical in the West End.

To take note out of her own book Tara said to me ‘you get the same version of me no matter who you are in life, whether you are the director, lead actor, dresser or stage door' and maybe that’s the trick to her success.

If you have been affected by any topics discussed in todays episode please see the show notes below for some helpful resources -

Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)

Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)

Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To Book 'Gite De De'Join' for a Getaway - https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/51141506

Chris Gardener hails from Dudley, in the West Midlands. Chris gained a place at the Arts Educational Schools in London, Graduating with a BA Hons in Musical Theatre in 2004. Chris left college early after booking a role in the UK tour of Cameron Mackintosh's 'Miss Saigon'. From here Chris went on to appear in the UK tours of 'My Fair Lady', 'Mary Poppins' and 'Oklahoma'. He then landed in the West End production of ‘Jersey Boys’.

In 2014 Chris ventured into stills and motion video production - predominantly focusing on corporate and social media for theatre: and in 2015 he bought his first investment property. Also Chris is part of the podcast world having produced the theatre podcast in ‘Taking times to Talk’ pod.

It was in 2020 that himself and his wife Stephanie Bron, took the decision to move to the Loire Valley in Central France, where he now resides.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Watch Stephen's Short Film 'Abe' which he Wrote and Starred in - https://vimeo.com/185086482

Hailing from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire then uprooting to Middlesborough. Stephen attended teeside University graduating with a BA in English Literature. He then attended Arts Educational Schools, London Graduating in 2005 with a BA Hons in Musical Theatre. After graduating Stephen went into productions of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. and, the Rod Stewart Musical Tonight’s the Night. From there he joined the cast of the Royal National theatres production of The History Boys. He spent three years on screen Hollyoaks for channel 4, playing Ravi Roy as part of the first regular Indian character on the show. Next he took himself overseas to Los Angeles. While here he wrote and starred in his short film ‘Abe’, which you can watch for free courtesy of Stephen. See the Link above. Stephen is also Martial Arts enthusiast and regularly trains in Jiu-Jitsu

And Mixed Martial Arts. Stephen has written the drama series 'Yes Please' which is currently in development. The series is set in the late 80's and is loosely based on his life growing up in Middlesbrough and is tipped to be a groundbreaking smash of a show with an Indian family at the center of all the action.

If you are or have been affected by any of the topics in this episode please see the show notes below for some helpful resources

Anthony Walker Foundation - Racism & Hate Crime Charity - https://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/

Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)

988 Lifeline - https://988lifeline.org/

Beat (Eating Disorder Helpline) - 0808 801 0677

Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)

Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Damian Winter Higgins hails from Nottingham. He gained a place at the prestigious Ballet Rambert School. Upon leaving Rambert, he joined Adventures in Motion Pictures Dance Company, with whom he performed in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake. Damian then joined the UK tour of Fame the Musical, for which he understudied and played the lead role of Tyrone Jackson and Mr Myers. Damian has also been seen in Disney's The Lion King (Lyceum), the original cast of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida (Essen, Germany), Leonard Bernstein's Wonderful Town (Grange Park Opera) and in Miss Saigon (tour).

Damian is also a qualified teacher for BTEC Performing Arts, A-Level Dance and Drama.

Damian is also a fully qualified therapist for people in a wide range of life experiences.

If you are interested in contacting Damian regarding his therapy work you can email: therapeuticcounsellors@gmail.com

And for more details - https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/401279/damian-higgins/nottingham-ng3?search=CBT

https://www.bapam.org.uk/practitioner-search/damian-higgins/

https://www.baatn.org.uk/find-a-psych-therapist/#!biz/id/6543d60acf08a2940a03b298

If you are or have been affected by any of the topics in this episode please see the show notes below for some helpful resources

Anthony Walker Foundation - Racism & Hate Crime Charity - https://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/

Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)

988 Lifeline - https://988lifeline.org/

Beat (Eating Disorder Helpline) - 0808 801 0677

Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)

Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam James Phillips hails from Newport, Wales. He graduated from Arts Educational Schools London on the Musical Theatre course in 2003. Adam transitioned into being a Hair Stylist and Artist soon after leaving college. In the West End Theatre scene he worked on productions including Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Love Never Dies, Crazy For You, Kiss Me Kate and Sweeney Todd. Screen credits include Downtown Abbey, Star Wars, Bridgerton, Wonka and Mary and George. Adam is a multiple Emmy and Guild Award Winner for his work including his work on Downtown Abbey for the late Dame Maggie Smith.

Instagram @adamjamesphillips

Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)

988 Lifeline - https://988lifeline.org/

Beat (Eating Disorder Helpline) - 0808 801 0677

Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)

Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jenny Fitzpatrick hails from Hornchurch, Essex. She Graduated from Mountview Academy of Dramatic Arts Musical Theatre Degree Course in 2004. Upon leaving early she joined the Rep Company of 'Regents Park Open Air Theatre'. From there her theatre credits include 'Ghost The Musical', 'Rock Of Ages', 'Little Shop of Horrors', 'Oliver!', 'Our House' and 'Sister Act'. Notably she alternated the role of 'Tina', in the original west end cast of 'Tina: The Tina Turner Musical' and recently played Nancy in the Leeds Playhouse production of Oliver! Jenny's TV credits include Eastenders, Silent Witness and M.I High.

As a writer Jenny co-wrote the film 'Payback Season' which was released in cinemas in the UK in 2012.

Jenny is soon to be seen in the Old Vic's production of 'A Christmas Carol' as Ghost of Christmas Present/ Mrs Fezziwig.

Arthritus Foundation - https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/rheumatoid-arthritis

Isokinetic Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation Group - https://isokinetic.com/en/

Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)

Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)

Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wayne Perrey, widely known as the “new face of DIY” is a TV carpenter & presenter. He hails from Leeds and at 17 won a grant in his area to attend Arts Educational Schools, London. In his third year he left college early to appear in the Original West End Cast of 'Rent'. From their following on from various other shows he appeared in the Original West End Cast of 'Bombay Dreams', alternating the lead role of Akassh. While in the show he booked role in BBC's in 'Dalziel and Pascoe' as regular DC Parvez Lateef, and went on to appear in various other television and theatre productions.

Alongside his performing career he crafted himself as the first on-camera carpenter to feature on both interior design and garden makeover shows, such as the BBC's Garden Rescue, Interior Design Masters and ITV's Love Your Garden. He is now the regular DIY expert on BBC One's flagship show Morning Live as well as ITV1's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh.

The TV Carpenter Website - https://thetvcarpenter.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetvcarpenter

The TV Carpenter Podcast - https://tvcarpenter.buzzsprout.com/

The DIY Doers Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/923474094405633/

The DIY Doers Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDIYDoers

If you are or have been affected by and topics discussed in todays show please see below for some helpful resources -

Men's Minds Matter - https://www.mensmindsmatter.org/

Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)

Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)

Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Tuesday the 3rd September along with recent guest Hollie Taylor and previous guest Chris Grierson, we attended the ArtsEd Graduation of the Class of 2024. 20 years on from graduating myself!

We spoke to some of the students and parents about their time at the college as well as their feelings about going out into the industry as professionals.

It was a really lovely and special day to be back in the building and brought back many memories being in the place where it all started over 20 years ago.

Thankyou so much for listening today: and Thankyou to previous ArtsEd Alumni Hollie Taylor and Chris Grierson for joining me on the day. Thankyou to ArtsEd for inviting us, and particularly the graduating class of 2024 who have taken the time to talk to us. We wish them all the best of luck going forward in their careers and in life.

If you are interested in learning more about ArtsEd London please check them out online - https://artsed.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.