Meet the Academy Team 2025-26

Assistant: Musical Theatre

Zihan completed her BA in Drama (2021) and MA in Live Art (2022) at Queen Mary University of London and is now pursuing her PhD in Visual Cultures at Goldsmiths, University of London. Alongside her academic journey, Zihan is also pursuing her passion for performing arts, undertaking part-time musical theatre training at Mountview and ongoing vocal training with SuRie, the UK’s 2018 Eurovision representative. Zihan is deeply committed to young people’s performing arts education, as she strongly believes that it plays a transformative role in helping young people spark creativity, build confidence, and develop important life skills. Zihan aspires to do her best to assist the next generation in exploring and reaching their full artistic potential. 

Tutor: Acting for Screen & Junior Acting Company

Montel Douglas is an actor, facilitator, and writer from South London who began his journey with Theatre Peckham Rep. Trained at St Mary’s University, Identity Drama School, and Theatre Peckham Rep, he has performed with the National Theatre, Talawa Theatre, Theatre Royal Stratford East, and the Orange Tree Theatre. His screen work includes Ransom (CBS), Casualty (BBC), and Code 404 (Sky One). Montel’s debut play One Way Out won the UNTAPPED Award 2023 and ran at the New Diorama, Edinburgh Fringe, and Brixton House. He co-founded No Table Productions, Theatre Peckham’s first resident company. Montel is passionate about championing underrepresented voices and empowering young artists to explore their potential on and off the stage. 

Assistant: Acting for Screen (all ages)

Melissa is an actor, writer, and voice-over artist from London. Credits include I Hate You (Channel4), Ghosts (BBC),  Doctors (BBC) and PYNEAPPLE (Bunker Theatre), her writing debut. She trained at Jackie Palmer’s Stage School and Identity School of Acting.

Tutor: Street Dance (8-11), Street Dance (5-7) & Assistant: Acro (10-16)

Alisha Thompson is a London based professional dancer, choreographer, teacher and former dancer of Olivier award winning company Boy Blue Entertainment one of the UK’s leading Hip-hop Dance Companies. Alisha trained at The Northern School of Contemporary Dance and then went on to attend at The London Studio Centre where she received a BA Hons in Musical Theatre from one of the UK’s leading conservatoires of dance.    

Tutor: Acting (5-7 & 8-11)

Dr. Suzann McLean MBE is an award-winning actor, director, and arts leader with 30 years’ experience. A skilled acting tutor, mentor, coach, and facilitator, she champions underrepresented talent. Founder of Young and Talented and director of the NEON Award-winning Originate programme, she is also CEO of Theatre Peckham, driving innovation and access in the arts. 

Co-Lead:Y&T Theatre Creators (Acting), Glee Pop Assistant, Tap Assistant, Ballet Assistant & Acting JAC Assistant / Alice in Wonderland Assistant Director

Assistant: Tap (all ages)

Joe Bernstein is a creative producer, actor and theatre-maker based in South London. He is the creative director and founder of the Young Creative Collection, a community arts theatre company dedicated to supporting young creative people. His credits include producing two sold out events at Theatre Peckham, Fire With Fire and Cold At Bay. He has also partnered with Southwark Wellbeing Hub to run The Grown Up Workshops: a series of theatre workshops working with community members passing on directing, writing and acting skills. In 2025, he also produced a play as part of Peckham Fringe and one part of Dulwich Festival. Joe’s work stretches across a diverse range of genres and forms but often incorporates poetic voice and movement. 

Tutor: Glee Club Pop (8-11) & Alice in Wonderland (10-16)

 Ben is a multi-instrumentalist and singer, and has an eclectic performance history, rooted in music, musical theatre, dance and drag. After graduating with a BA in Music from Oxford University, Ben trained as a primary school teacher, and found his passion for enriching the lives of young people. Since then he has been using his skills to empower students and their development in a variety of settings and roles, including here at Theatre Peckham. He is currently Creative Director of Young and Talented. Ben loves to share his passion for music and theatre with everyone he comes across! 

As Musical Director, Ben has worked on the festive shows at Theatre Peckham such as “The Wonderful”, “Scroogelicious!”,and “Rapunzel”. Other credits include “The Show that Goes RIGHT!” At the Cockpit Theatre in Marylebone and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at Opera Holland Park. 

Co-Lead: Song-writing & Music Production (12-16)

Rasaq Kukoyi is a versatile artist with a love for acting and sound design, proudly representing Peckham. His passion for both fields fuels his creativity and drives him to constantly push boundaries in his work. 

Tutor: Musical Theatre (3-5) & Musical Theatre (6-8)

Bella (she/her) is a Korean-American theatre practitioner and facilitator whose practice is centred around facilitating care and encouraging people to express themselves freely through the arts. She trained at the Royal School of Speech and Drama where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Drama, Applied Theatre and Education. She is a professionally trained actress and vocalist from Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Tutor: Tap & Y&T Theatre Creators (Dance)

Seréece Martin is a dynamic and versatile dance artist and educator with a professional background that spans teaching, performing, and mentoring across the UK. She began her training in North London, earned a scholarship to Italia Conti, and completed her studies at Addict Dance Academy with a degree in Professional Dance. 

Her performance credits include appearances on BBC, CBBC, and Channel 4, and most recently, she hit the stage at Kisstory performing with legendary ’90s group MN8,  Kule T, as well as artists like Dizzee Rascal, Enny, and more. 

A former UK Hip Hop International (HHI) Champion and Ultimate Advanced Champion with IMD Legion, Seréece brings elite training and real industry experience into every class. She has taught students from ages 3 to 50, across all levels and style, including commercial, street, jazz, ballet, and contemporary always creating an inspiring and inclusive space. 

Assistant: Y&T Theatre Creators (Singing)

Ayshe’s performing arts journey began at Theatre Peckham when she was just 4 years old. Since then, she has remained deeply involved in the arts, progressing from student to volunteer, and later to assistant at Theatre Peckham. She went on to study at the BRIT School for four years, achieving distinctions in both Theatre and Applied Theatre. Currently, Ayshe is in her final year as a trainee primary school teacher, aspiring to inspire creativity and use the arts as a powerful tool to ignite confidence in children’s learning. 

Assistant: Ballet & Acro (6-9)

Jolie began learning Ballet at three years old and graduated from The BRIT School. She has trained in RAD Ballet and has been at Theatre Peckham for almost 6 years. And she’s excited to help teach children in Ballet and Acro! 

Tutor: Y&T Theatre Creators (Singing)

Charlie teaches singing and song-writing at Theatre Peckham with the Young & Talented team. Charlie is a Northern Irish artist who trained at East 15, with a focus on creating new pieces, and has performed on and off the West End as an actor and a musician. 

Assistant: Y&T Theatre Creators (Dance)

Fifi teaches dancing at Theatre Peckham with the Young & Talented team. Fifi is a 22-year-old dancer from East London whose training focuses on Afro, Hip Hop, house and Locking. She studied Hip Hop Street Dance at Shockout Arts and alongside trains with IMD. She has performed at high-profile events such as the Queens jubilee, Wembley stadium with Lenny Kravitz and Boy Blue and for Nikes’ movement factory.

Co-Lead: Y&T Theatre Creators (Acting)

Erin (she/her) is a director, facilitator and performer, originally from Bristol and now based in North West London. She is currently training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, specialising in Applied Theatre and Theatre-making. Her practice predominantly centres on co-creation, dramaturgical and devised work in both community and professional settings. Recent credits include: Checkmate (Director, Etcetera Theatre). The Government Inspector (Performer and Dramaturg, CSSD), Good Mourning (Director, ACTII), Robin Hood (Performer and Outreach, Manchester Schools Tour). 

Assistant: Acting (5-7, 8-11)

Ore is a Theatre Peckham Alumni and drama facilitator passionate about inspiring and nurturing creativity in young people. She has worked as a tutor assistant with REP and Originate at Theatre Peckham, supporting the next generation of performers.  

Alongside her theatre work, Ore creates television content for leading broadcasters including BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4, FOX, Netflix, and BET.  

Her work is driven to challenge stereotypes and promote inclusivity of underrepresented voices. 

Co-Lead: Song-writing & Music Production (12-16)

Marissa, known artistically as Myana, is a dynamic musician whose love for Dancehall and Soca has inspired her to create a unique genre that seamlessly blends these vibrant styles with commercial pop and dance. Known for her electrifying live performances, Myana’s energetic Guyanese spirit has been known to “MASH UP THE PLACE!” and raise the roof at every venue she graces. 

Myana’s musical journey began at the age of 14 in Camden, where she immersed herself in songwriting and collaborated with fellow musicians to develop her distinctive Afro-pop sound. She first gained recognition as the lead singer of the Reggae band RawFire, performing at prestigious venues and festivals including the Royal Festival Hall, Oxjam Festivals, Big Noise Festival, and Brixton Splash Carnival in 2014. 

After her time with RawFire, Myana took her talents to Soho, where she sang alongside the house band at the iconic venue Jazz After Dark. In 2018, she reached the Grand Finals of Open Mic UK, performing on a national stage at the Birmingham NEC Arena. 

Following this significant achievement, Myana shifted her focus from her own music to mentoring young people in the industry, sharing her passion and expertise to inspire the next generation of artists. 

Growing up, Myana was influenced by a rich musical background. Her mother introduced her to Reggae, while her father’s side nurtured her appreciation for classical and jazz. She draws inspiration from legendary artists such as Sam Cooke and has a particular admiration for Rihanna, who shares her Guyanese heritage and masterfully blends Caribbean influences with pop music. 

In 2021, Myana released her debut single, “Move Your Body Girl,” a celebration of body positivity that resonated deeply with fans. She followed this with “Do It @ Work” in 2022, a powerful anthem highlighting female empowerment and encouraging women to take control. With her unique sound and captivating performances, Myana continues to push the boundaries of music and leave an indelible mark on the industry. 

Tutor: Acro & Ballet & Street Dance Assistant

Jazz began to dance at the age of six where she trained in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Musical Theatre, Acro and National Dances. She trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and holds a BA Honours Degree in performance Arts. Jazz has worked for many years as a professional dancer, also worked with Ballet Soul as assistant choreographer. She has had the honour of performing for the Queen on two occasions in the past as well as many tours and videos. Jazz will be leading on the Ballet, Tap and Acro, supporting Street Dance classes too as assistant.  

Head of Academy

Academy Co-Ordinator

Saturday Duty Manager