Life After Jazz Hands

Damian Winter Higgins hails from Nottingham. He gained a place at the prestigious Ballet Rambert School. Upon leaving Rambert, he joined Adventures in Motion Pictures Dance Company, with whom he performed in Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake. Damian then joined the UK tour of Fame the Musical, for which he understudied and played the lead role of Tyrone Jackson and Mr Myers. Damian has also been seen in Disney's The Lion King (Lyceum), the original cast of Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida (Essen, Germany), Leonard Bernstein's Wonderful Town (Grange Park Opera) and in Miss Saigon (tour).Damian is also a qualified teacher for BTEC Performing Arts, A-Level Dance and Drama.Damian is also a fully qualified therapist for people in a wide range of life experiences.If you are interested in contacting Damian regarding his therapy work you can email: therapeuticcounsellors@gmail.comAnd for more details - https://www.bacp.co.uk/therapists/401279/damian-higgins/nottingham-ng3?search=CBThttps://www.bapam.org.uk/practitioner-search/damian-higgins/https://www.baatn.org.uk/find-a-psych-therapist/#!biz/id/6543d60acf08a2940a03b298If you are or have been affected by any of the topics in this episode please see the show notes below for some helpful resources Anthony Walker Foundation - Racism & Hate Crime Charity - https://anthonywalkerfoundation.com/Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)988 Lifeline - https://988lifeline.org/Beat (Eating Disorder Helpline) - 0808 801 0677Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds

Adam James Phillips hails from Newport, Wales. He graduated from Arts Educational Schools London on the Musical Theatre course in 2003. Adam transitioned into being a Hair Stylist and Artist soon after leaving college. In the West End Theatre scene he worked on productions including Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Love Never Dies, Crazy For You, Kiss Me Kate and Sweeney Todd. Screen credits include Downtown Abbey, Star Wars, Bridgerton, Wonka and Mary and George. Adam is a multiple Emmy and Guild Award Winner for his work including his work on Downtown Abbey for the late Dame Maggie Smith.Instagram @adamjamesphillipsSamaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)988 Lifeline - https://988lifeline.org/Beat (Eating Disorder Helpline) - 0808 801 0677Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds

Wayne Perrey, widely known as the “new face of DIY” is a TV carpenter & presenter. He hails from Leeds and at 17 won a grant in his area to attend Arts Educational Schools, London. In his third year he left college early to appear in the Original West End Cast of 'Rent'. From their following on from various other shows he appeared in the Original West End Cast of 'Bombay Dreams', alternating the lead role of Akassh. While in the show he booked role in BBC's in 'Dalziel and Pascoe' as regular DC Parvez Lateef, and went on to appear in various other television and theatre productions.Alongside his performing career he crafted himself as the first on-camera carpenter to feature on both interior design and garden makeover shows, such as the BBC's Garden Rescue, Interior Design Masters and ITV's Love Your Garden. He is now the regular DIY expert on BBC One's flagship show Morning Live as well as ITV1's Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh.The TV Carpenter Website - https://thetvcarpenter.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thetvcarpenterThe TV Carpenter Podcast - https://tvcarpenter.buzzsprout.com/The DIY Doers Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/923474094405633/The DIY Doers Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheDIYDoersIf you are or have been affected by and topics discussed in todays show please see below for some helpful resources -Men's Minds Matter - https://www.mensmindsmatter.org/Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds)

On Tuesday the 3rd September along with recent guest Hollie Taylor and previous guest Chris Grierson, we attended the ArtsEd Graduation of the Class of 2024. 20 years on from graduating myself! We spoke to some of the students and parents about their time at the college as well as their feelings about going out into the industry as professionals.It was a really lovely and special day to be back in the building and brought back many memories being in the place where it all started over 20 years ago.Thankyou so much for listening today: and Thankyou to previous ArtsEd Alumni Hollie Taylor and Chris Grierson for joining me on the day. Thankyou to ArtsEd for inviting us, and particularly the graduating class of 2024 who have taken the time to talk to us. We wish them all the best of luck going forward in their careers and in life.If you are interested in learning more about ArtsEd London please check them out online - https://artsed.co.uk/

Hollie Taylor hails from Teddington, Middlesex. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre from the Arts Educational Schools, London in 2006. Upon graduating she joined the UK Tour of High Society. From there she went on to appear in West End and UK Touring productions of High School Musical, Betty Blue Eyes, Cameron Mackintosh's Oliver!, Matilda The Musical, Goodnight Mr Tom and Cameron Mackintosh's Oliver! to mention a few! Not to mention her screen work including returning to Netflix's Matilda The Musical, Eastenders and Casualty.Hollie is also a experience VoiceOver artist in animation, audio books and commercials.Her latest project is her own YouTube Speech and Language Channel for 0-3 years entitled 'Ready Steady Go!' - https://www.youtube.com/@ReadySteadyGoYtThe Miscarriage Association - https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/National Fertility Network - https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority - https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/fertility-preservation/egg-freezing/Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds

Marcus Scimia hails from Ladbroke Grove, London. After attending Barbara Speake stage school, Marcus went on to study at Arts Educational Schools. Graduating in 2004. Upon he leaving he worked abroad P&O Cruises as part of the theatrical entertainment team. He went on to appear in UK tours 'All That Jazz' and 'Fever'. He went onto appear in radio plays and voiceovers, taking the lead in Pantomimes, headlining cabarets. He worked as part of a wedding band that won 'Wedding Band Of The Year' in the UK, 2 years running! Marcus went on to obtain a MA in Voice Pedagogy from the University of Wales, Trinity St Davids, and also an MA in Collaborative Theatre Practice at the Staffordshire University. In addition, Marcus is Estill Figure Proficient (EFP) Certified with Estill Voice international and is in his final year to qualify as an Estill Master Teacher (EMT). He currently is a master teacher in Musical Theatre in facilities in the UK.If you have been or are currently affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, here are some resources you might find useful:Men's Body Image Helpage - https://www.bluelighttogether.org/content-detail/combating-body-image-issues-for-menBeat (Eating Disorder Helpline) - 0808 801 0677Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds)

Amy Thornton hails from Twickenham. She attended Laine Theatre Arts in Epsom, graduating in 2004. Upon leaving Amy booked a job with P&O Cruises as part of the theatrical entertainment team. She then went on to appear in the UK Tour of Starlight Express and Fame. Following on from that she appeared in West End productions of Never Forget, Flashdance, Grease, Rock of Ages and Evita at Regents Park. She also appeared in Matilda the Musical in the West End as Swing/Dance Captain. She then went on to appear in and work as assistant choreographer for the film adaptation of Matilda The Musical.She recently appeared in the West End production of Moulin Rouge as Nini, and then as Shelia in the Sadlers Wells and UK Tour production of A Chorus Line. Amy regularly works as a creative on various musical productions as well as taking masterclasses and workshops for many young performers up and down the country.National Fertility Network - https://fertilitynetworkuk.org/Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority - https://www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/fertility-preservation/egg-freezing/Samaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds

Hailing from Liverpool, Jon Robyns gained a place at the prestigious Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating on the Musical Theatre course in 2004. Jon went straight on to appear in the UK Tour of Cameron Mackintosh's Miss Saigon, understudying the leading role of Chris. From there his career went from strength to strength appearing in leading roles in West End and touring shows such as Avenue Q, 'Spamalot, Memphis, Hamilton and Les Miserables three times, in three different roles! Most recently Jon has played the lead of 'Phantom' in Andrew Lloyd Webbers 'Phantom Of The Opera'.He also wrote the musical Then, Now, Next with Christopher J Orton, which made its premiere at London's Southwark Playhouse in 2023.Jon is just about to launch his own live monthly cabaret show 'Late Night West End With Jon Robyns' at the Phoenix Arts Club.Purchase Tickets for 'Late Night West End with Jon Robyns' - https://phoenixartsclub.com/events/late-night-west-end-with-jon-robynsSamaritans - 116 123 (24/7 phone service)Beat (Eating Disorder Helpline) - 0808 801 0677Shout - 85258 (all ages 24/7 texting service)Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - 0800 585858 (5pm - midnight)Papyrus HOPELINEUK - 0800 068 4141 (for under 35 year olds