ABOUT THEATREWORKS

Welcome to TheatreWorks Performing Arts, a dance and performing arts school in central Leicester that believes in every child that joins our team.

With a focus on encouraging and supporting all our students to reach their full potential in a friendly and nurturing environment, TheatreWorks offers a unique blend of high quality dance training, delivered by experienced and qualified teachers in a professional and friendly atmosphere that supports and develops talent at both recreational and competitive level.

TheatreWorks Performing Arts is an established dance school that provides training in all aspects of dance and performing arts. Our Leicester based studios are fully equip with mirrors, dance flooring and safety equipment providing our students with an inspiring and safe space to thrive.

Our Leicester dance classes are delivered by our experienced staff who are dedicated to offering high-quality dance training to students of all ages and levels, in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Classes focus on improving and developing dance technique and artistry, providing a solid foundation for dance in an environment that encourages every student to discover their strengths, build confidence and skills that will follow them into any career.

TheatreWorks offers syllabus classes in Ballet, Tap and Modern, along with structured classes in Musical Theatre, Commercial, Contemporary, Acrobatics, Pointe Work and Stretch, Strength and Flexibility.

Whether you are interested in learning new dance styles, improving your technique or building confidence, TheatreWorks Performing Arts has something to offer you.

TW Team

MEET THE TEAM

Natalie Haywood

PRINCIPAL

Natalie started dancing at the age of 3 before training full time at London based performing arts schools and colleges, where she obtained her ISTD DDI teaching qualifications in Ballet, Tap and Modern. Natalie is now working on her final two units to obtain DDE status. Natalie's professional credits include, company dancer 'Disney Chanel Kids Awards', young ballet dancer in the professional production of Little Mermaid, dancer in a feature film, an extra in Waterloo Road and published modelling assignments for magazines. She has over 18 years’ teaching experience within dance schools and educational environments. Her dance school credentials include teacher and choreographer roles at Accents’ Dance Studio, Canada and the Tamworth Academy of Dance. She also has extensive experience teaching at educational colleges operating within a regulated training framework, delivering Level 1 & 2 dance and performing arts courses at City College Coventry and North Warwickshire & Hinckley College. Her most recent role as Learning Coach with Leicester College sees her offering support to students to ensure they achieve their potential. She proudly holds qualifications in Teaching in Education, Understanding and Supporting Children and Young People’s Mental Health, Understanding Autism and Specific Learning Difficulties and Mental Health First Aid. Natalie is passionate about providing a nurturing and inclusive environment and creating a safe space for all children and young people to learn to dance whilst building self-confidence and developing lifelong transferable skills. Her unique vision coupled with her extensive experience ensures all students who attend TheatreWorks have the opportunity to thrive under the guidance of professional, highly skilled teachers who focus on the wellbeing of the whole child, not just the dancer. Natalie is delighted to be principal of TheatreWorks, where she looks forward to providing high quality dance classes in Leicester and supporting her students to get the most out of their training. She believes that whatever a child’s motivation for joining the school, TheatreWorks can support them on every step of the journey.

Hannah Carr

RAD Ballet,
Progressing Ballet Technique, Musical Theatre & ISTD Modern

Hannah is a classical ballet, modern dance and Progressing Ballet Technique teacher. Training at London Studio Centre, and the Royal Academy of Dance, Hannah holds a diploma in ISTD modern theatre dance, and is a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, as well as being qualified in PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) and DDMIX (Darcey Bussell’s Diverse Dance Mix). Hannah began her dance training at a young age studying ballet, tap, modern dance and musical theatre. From here she auditioned for vocational schools, and begun her training at London Studio Centre on the Musical Theatre BA Hons course in 2012. However, ballet was always her passion, so gaining a scholarship on the Ballet Education course at the Royal Academy of Dance in 2013 has led to a career in teaching Ballet. This has led to numerous exciting opportunities, including holding one of the one hundred events in the world for the RAD centenary in 2020. Many of Hannah’s students have gone on to audition for the Royal Ballet Associates and the English National Ballet, and Hannah maintains consistently high grades from her students’ RAD ballet examinations. Alongside ballet teaching, Hannah is a secondary dance teacher for key stage three and four. Hannah believes in teaching good technique and discipline, as well as creating a fun and engaging learning environment in which students feel they are being supported. Hannah looks forward to teaching dance classes in central Leicester and joining the TheatreWorks faculty.

Phoebe Blake

Commercial/Street Dance
& Cover Teacher

Phoebe began her training at the age of 7 where she found her love for dance. Training at LM Academy, she studied ISTD grades in Tap, Ballet and Modern Jazz and competed in many festivals. Whilst at LM, Phoebe has also performed across Europe, including Disneyland Paris, as part of the Contemporary Dance Association senior team. In 2016, Phoebe focused on her professional training and began studying at Addict Dance Academy, gaining qualifications in BTEC, HND Diploma and BA Honours Degree in Performing Arts. Whilst with Addict she was selected to represent The Addict Initiative, performing in Jack and The Beanstalk at De Montfort Hall (2016). As well as several successful performances with Addict on the MOVE IT Main Stage (2018 and 2019) she was also twice selected as part of the annual Winter Company performance team and performed in several cities across the UK (Liverpool, Blackpool, London, Birmingham, Leicester). Since Phoebe graduated in 2021, she has continued to dance and teaches for many dance schools across Leicester teaching many styles of dance styles including Tap, Musical Theatre, Jazz/Lyrical, Commercial/Jazz and Acro. Phoebe looks forward to teaching dance classes in central Leicester and joining the TheatreWorks faculty.

Emily Clarke - Dance Classes in Leicester Teacher

Alisha Greaves

Cover Teacher

Alisha started dancing at the age of 8 at a local dance school in East Yorkshire where she spent many years training in various dance styles and competing in dance festivals, as well as performing at Sadlers Wells theatre in London. Age 16 Alisha started training with The Hull Youth Dance Company focusing on Contemporary Dance. Following on from this, Alisha continued her dance training, completing a three year BA Hons Degree in Contemporary Dance at Leeds University. It is here that Alisha studied contemporary dance in depth, developing her understanding of different contemporary techniques, and refining choreography and performance skills. Alisha is currently continuing her studies at Nottingham University studying a Masters Degree in Dance Movement Psychotherapy and will graduate in July. Alisha applies her practise as a psychotherapist to help and support children with self esteem, anxiety, confidence, and depression using the creative expression of dance. Alongside her extensive training Alisha has been teaching various styles of dance to both children and adults. Alisha has a great passion for dance, particularly Contemporary and believes it is a style of dance that allows a dancer be free with no rules or limitations. Alisha is thrilled to be joining the teaching team at TheatreWorks and teaching dance lessons in Leicester, and helping the students develop confidence and understanding in this new genre.

Emily Clarke

Acrobatic Arts & Progressing Ballet Technique

Emily holds qualifications in Acrobatic Arts, Progressing Ballet Technique and Paediatric First Aid. Emily started dancing at the age of 2 at a local dance school where she trained extensively in ballet, tap, modern, acro and musical theatre. Emily has completed her RAD Ballet grades to Intermediate level as well as Intermediate IDTA Ballet and Modern. Emily has recently taken her Intermediate IDTA Ballet exam where she was awarded 95 marks and invited to attend the IDTA Ballet Awards. During her training Emily has performed in various shows with her dance school and competed successfuly in local dance festivals. Emily enjoys musical theatre and has been involved with various youth theatre productions including playing the role of Gretta in Sound of Music and Jasmine in Aladdin. Emily is now studying a Level 3 Btec in Muscial Theatre at ASA Theatre Arts where she will graduate in July 2025. Emily looks forward to teaching dance classes in central Leicester and joining the TheatreWorks faculty.

Sami - Dance Classes in Leicester Teacher

Samantha Guest Guinnee

Cover Teacher

Sami grew up in Leicester and has danced since the age of 3 at a Leicester based dance school where she completed her vocational ISTD grades in various genres. Sammi has worked on many professional contracts since completing training. She has completed her ISTD DDE teacher training and now spreads her time between professional contracts and freelance teaching. Sami looks forward to teaching dance classes in central Leicester and joining the TheatreWorks faculty as a regular cover teacher.

Daniella - Dance Classes in Leicester Teacher

Daniela Fabbricatore

Guest Teacher & Choreographer

Daniela began her training at the Starlight Theatre School in Leicester. Here she worked through and her BTDA grades in Tap, Ballet, Modern Jazz and Lyrical. Daniela also competed in various competitions up to Championship Final level in various subjects. She is a 2 time national tap champion and a national Classical Greek champion. In 2017 Daniela continued her training at the prestigious Bird College gaining a First Class BA Hons Degree in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre. Daniela has also notably trained with Tap Attack and Jack Evans Creative (previously hoofers uk). Upon graduation, Daniela achieved her Level 4 Certificate in Dance Teaching through the BTDA passed with Distinction 100%. She is also a registered teacher with acrobatic arts. Daniela has taught workshops, masterclasses and open classes to students across the United Kingdom and over seas including: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Some of Daniela's credits include; Bugsy Malone (Curve, Leicester), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Curve, Leicester), and various Pantomimes. Daniela has also appeared in and various Tap Dance Concept videos including ‘Bury a Friend’ choreographed by Kate Ivory Jordan which has nearly 2 Million views on Facebook alone! She also recently choreographed and performed ‘Jump Jive’ under the direction of Jack Evans. Daniella looks forward to teaching dance classes in central Leicester and joining the TheatreWorks faculty as a cover teacher.

Shauna Harrington

Cover Teacher

Shauna started dancing and performing at the age of 6 at a local dance school back home in Dublin, Ireland. She continued her training at Got2Dance Stage School studying Ballet, Tap, Modern, Contemporary, Lyrical, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Commercial and Progressing Ballet Technique up to the age of 19. Shauna has also completed her ISTD Intermediate Modern, Singing Grades with the Royal Irish Academy of Music, competed in several dance competitions and performed as a senior dancer in Red Riding Hood (2019) and Cinderella (2020) with Midas Music Company, Drimnaugh, County Dublin. Following her extensive training she then went on to complete a two year full time foundation course in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre at Phoenix Theatre Arts. Shauna's passion for teaching started when she began teaching the lyrical team she used to compete for, passing on her knowledge and passion for dance and performing arts is where she saw her love for teaching begin. Shauna has recently moved to Leicester to continue training at Addict Dance Academy where she is currently studying a HND in Musical Theatre and will be continuing to study on the BA Honours course once this is completed. Shauna looks forward to teaching dance classes in central Leicester and joining the TheatreWorks faculty.