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About Us
King Arts Academy was founded by Charli Stephens-King in 2026 after moving from Hertfordshire to Ipswich earlier that year.
The Creative Arts has always been a big part of Charli's life and so has working with children. But as Charli hit her mid 20's, she noticed that there wasn't really high intensity training for recent graduates from drama school that are now based outside of London, hence why our sessions are now tailored to all ages. From studying at various drama schools (LAMDA, Emil Dale and Spirit Young Performers Company) over the years, this has given Charli the education and connections with other professionals to make this dream come to life.
The goal for King Arts Academy is to build a place where all areas of the arts can be studied and enjoyed. This includes performing arts, technical theatre and orchestras, as well as much more!
Yes, King Arts Academy is the newest Drama School on the block but you will not want to miss out! King Arts Academy is going to be something you have never seen in Ipswich, maybe even in the UK!
Charli Stephens-King - Academy Principal
Meet the Faculty
Esme Ransom
Acting Tutor
Hello! My name is Esme Ransom, and I am an acting teacher with a BA (Hons) in Acting from Norwich University of the Arts. I am passionate about helping young people build confidence, creativity, and teamwork skills through drama.
I believe that drama is not just about acting, but about growing in confidence, communication, and self-belief.
I’m really excited for us to discover the joy of performance together!
Francesca Roe
Dance Tutor
Fran trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, graduating with a first class honours degree in Contemporary Dance in 2024. She was also awarded with the Simone Michelle Award for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Choreography’.
As a contemporary dance artist freelancing as a teacher, producer, choreographer and performer, her work has led her to collaborate with many companies and organisations including Mugler, Beijing Dance Academy, DanceEast, Suffolk Community Libraries as well as art galleries in Suffolk, London and Athens.
Fran places community and collaboration at the centre of her creative practice. It is important to her that in her classes or creative projects, that she facilitates an open and supportive space where everyone is free to explore their artistry and flourish.
Alice Pescott Frost
Singing Tutor
Hiya! My name is Alice, and I am a singer, performer, and music educator with a passion for helping students build confidence through music.
I have experience performing across a wide range of genres including musical theatre, pop, jazz standards, classical repertoire, Disney, and contemporary music.
I am a graduate of Bird College and was awarded a First Class BA (Hons) in Professional Dance and Musical Theatre and up until recently was still part of the musical theatre industry, having performed this Christmas in Snow White, Maidenhead. I am now focussing more on singing and educating.
I am passionate about inspiring the next generation of performers and can’t wait to share my love of music and theatre with all of the students!
Maria Avlianos
Acting Tutor
I trained at East 15 Acting School and have worked with children in a wide range of educational and creative settings for over 25 years. I am currently Head of Drama at Stowupland High School, where I am passionate about inspiring young performers and building confidence through the arts. Over the years, I have directed productions including Frozen Jr. and Fame Jr., bringing creativity, teamwork, and performance opportunities to students of all ages.
Sienna Taylor
Dance Tutor
Hello! My name is Sienna Taylor, I am a dance and theatre educator and have been teaching for the last two years. Alongside my teaching work, I am training with the Royal Academy of Dance to further develop my professional qualifications in ballet instruction.
I began training in ballet at the age of 3 and have achieved Advanced 1 in the RAD syllabus. Alongside ballet, I have also trained in jazz, contemporary, commercial, lyrical, and tap. I have also been part of the Co-op Juniors Theatre Company since the age of 6 where I played my dream role of ‘Victoria’ in Cats the musical.
I am passionate about inspiring young performers and can’t wait to continue sharing my love of dance and theatre with all of the students!
Kayleigh Dianna
Singing Tutor
Kayleigh Dianna is a professional performer with a wide range of theatre and performance credits, including cruise ships, national tours, new and workshopped musicals, and pantomimes. She has a true passion for performing and loves sharing her experience with others.
As a professional singing teacher, Kayleigh is passionate about helping students develop healthy vocal technique, build confidence, and discover voices they never knew they had. She can't wait to inspire the next generation of performers through a love of singing.
Harry Planck
Singing Tutor
Growing up in the heart of Suffolk, Harry was awarded a full DADA Scholarship at the age of 18 to train in Musical Theatre at one of London’s most prestigious drama schools, the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, where he studied for three years.
Since graduating, Harry has performed extensively throughout the UK and internationally. His most recent credits include The 12 Tenors – European Tour (2025/2026) and Rum Tum Tugger in CATS the Musical. Prior to this, he appeared as a member of the Boyband in Greatest Days – The Official Take That Musical onboard Arvia, including performing at the musical’s UK premiere alongside Take That themselves.
Other theatre credits include Dandini in Cinderella (Redgrave Theatre, Bristol), the World of Musicals Australia & New Zealand Tour (2022), Beast/Prince in Beauty and the Beast (Thameside Theatre), and Eddie O’Grady in Made in Dagenham.
Guest Tutors
Kerry Ellis
Since graduating from Laine Arts, Kerry made her West End debut in 1998 as Understudy Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady. Since then she has gone on to play many iconic roles on the West End and Broadway, including:
Fantine in Les Miserables
Nancy in Oliver
Meat in We will Rock You
...and not forgetting being the FIRST British Elphaba on the West End and Broadway!
Sophie-Rose Middleton
Sophie trained at Emil Dale Academy in Hertfordshire and has been actively working in the industry since her graduation. Here are just a few highlights from her impressive career so far:
Tick,Tick …Boom! - Susan (International China Tour)
Starlight Express – Pearl (Bochum, Germany)
KIN, A New Musical – Cora (Theatro Technis, London)
CATS The Musical – Electra, Swing (International Tour & Taiwan)
SIX The Musical – Swing, Associate Show Captain (NCL)
Dirty Dancing – Ensemble, Cover Baby, Dance Captain
Jay Perry
Jay is currently starring as Aaron Burr in Hamilton and some of his previous credits include:
Goldie Wilson/Marvin Berry in Back to the Future
Berry Gordy in Motown the Musical
Drifter in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Plus many, many other tv, film and theatre credits!
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