Short History

ACTS (Ayres Clark Theatre School) was the inspiration of Hilary Ayres and Emma Clark  who wanted to encourage children and adults to follow their dreams of performing.  Those thoughts and ideas have built the group into the ever expanding,  successful and fun group that it is today.   The aim is to offer as much or a little as any one student wants, and give them the opportunity to perform on stage, and maybe help shape their life. We are completely independent  (not a franchise) and with the strong roots that we have put down, are able to move and change with the wants and needs of the children.   It is not our ambition to make the children famous now, but to give them the tools of the trade that will lead to fame in the future, if that is what they want. 

Former students have won places at Guildhall School of Music, Ballet Rambert, London Studios, Bodyworks and Millennium.

Maxine Everett, a partner in the school trained at Laines Theatre Arts, and since graduating has danced in all the great shows including Fame, Joseph, Annie Get your Gun, Fosse and Starlight Express to name a few, all of them in the West End.  She also runs the Romford branch of ACTS.   She passionate about her dance, and is committed to coaching the children to develop their full potential.

Angela Wood trained at Mountview, and has been teaching for us for 5 years as head of drama. Her speciality are the LAMDA exams (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art), where she has brought students up to the Gold Standard – this prestigious award can be used towards points for university.