Joanne Tomlin (Principal)

Joanne is a qualified teacher with vast experience of teaching both children and adults in several different curriculum areas. She saw the benefits of drama to the development of young adults first hand whilst working for a management training team. With a degree in IT and Business Studies, Joanne has always had a keen interest in performing arts. When her youngest daughter, a keen musician, showed an interest in drama and became a student at the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy, Joanne became involved firstly in the administration of the Academy but very quickly moving on to teaching and finally becoming Principal in Cumbria in July 2006. She is a firm believer in confidence being the key to children reaching their full potential and a very keen advocate of the Helen O'Grady philosophy and curriculum.

Jenny Heath

Jenny trained as an actor musician at Rose Bruford college for Performing Arts in London. After training she spent two years travelling in Europe and Africa, performing street theatre and walkabout costumes at festivals. On return she took up teaching drama in London to a variety of age and ability range and has continued to do since then. She also worked professionally as an actor musician, credits include: Edinburgh Fringe Festival on several occasions and also various theatres throughout London and the South East. Jenny is also a trained Alexander Technique Teacher and finds that this complements her drama teaching in a unique way. She has presented Helen O’Grady Workshops in many schools in Cumbria and North Lancs.

Rebecca Crawley

Rebecca started performing at the age of 7 in gymnastics and represented her school in county and national champioinships until the age of 13. At 16 she left school to complete a BTEC national diploma in performing arts at the Cumbria Institute of the Arts, then went to University of Central Lancashire to do a BA (hons) in contemporary performing arts specialising in theatre and dance. At University Rebecca was lucky enough to perform with the Asendance Dance Company at the charter theatre in Preston, as well as staging and performing in other student productions. After completing her degree she spent 4 months travelling round Europe and on returning took up her present position at Helen O Grady. Rebecca also teaches contemporary dance classes at the adult education centre.