Staff

Helen Wallis

Company Director & Principal

BA (hons), MA

Training: Guildford School of Acting

Helen’s love for the stage and all things theatrical started at a very young age, but her career began in her teens when she was cast in a number of TV commercials, short films and feature films. She was also lucky enough to kick start her choreography career at just 18 when she choreographed a National Theatre Connections piece for the Nuffield Theatre. Throughout her teens and early twenties she could be seen in most local theatres treading the boards performing as a singer/dancer as well as backstage choreographing touring shows and in-house musicals. Helen went onto pursue a career in the industry from UK tours to singing and dancing abroad. In her late twenties Helen embarked on a career at sea joining cruise ships as a production singer and being promoted to assistant cruise director and finally cruise director. This wonderful role took her all over the world with lots of stories to share of her travels – and was where she met her husband! Her return to England was to start a family and she has been teaching ever since. As a professional choreographer, Helen’s work has been seen in many theatre’s across the South Coast in the last five years. Most recently she can be seen as the face of Port Solent advertising as well as a new Fuzzikins advert for a children’s toy on TV! Helen is thrilled to be the Principal and Company Director of TADAA – a school that provides the very best in drama, dance and musical theatre to the children of Hampshire. I love seeing TADAA go from strength to strength – I am so proud of the school and every person that attends our classes – we really are a family!

Cara Redman

AISTD

Cara’s passion is for dance – from the age of 3, she attended local dance schools and has studied ISTD Grades in ballet, tap and modern up to Advanced 1 level. She has also performed at many prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and Sadlers Wells in London and competed at National and International level including at Disneyland Paris. Selected to represent England at the IDF World Championships in 2016 and again in 2019, the squad won a number of medals in a variety of categories. Cara placed first in her age category for tap in 2016 and in 2019 placed first in the adult tap duet category. Having studied dance at Chichester College and the University of Chichester, Cara is now a qualified ISTD dance teacher after completing the Level 4 Diploma in Dance Education which has laid the foundation to broaden her teaching horizons and develop her teaching into other dance styles. Cara is very much looking forward to joining the team at TADAA and passing on her passion and enthusiasm to younger students.

Natasha Caulfield

DIPLCM

Natasha has been performing professionally and teaching for many years. She has her Tap DDI, Modern DDI and LCM Singing Diploma which brings so much experience into the room when she is teaching her classes. When she isn’t teaching, Natasha can be found gigging professionally as a singer around the Portsmouth area.

Holly Petts

BA Hons

Holly’s love of dance began when she started lessons at three, partaking in numerous dance shows and exams over the years. At 16 she began training at the Pendleton School of Theatre before going on to train at the University of Chichester Conservatoire, gaining a degree in Musical Theatre and Cabaret Performance. Holly is currently studying at the prestigious

London Studio Centre, gaining her masters degree in dance education. Alongside teaching Holly spends her time gigging as a professional singer and doing background work for tv and film.

Lily Chambers

Cert HE Acting

Lily’s love of acting started at the age of four as she found she had the ability to lose herself into the character she was playing. She attended several after school drama classes, and went on to study drama at Itchen College, Southampton. Lily felt privileged to have then been offered a place at the prestigious Arts Educational School in London, where she has recently been awarded a Distinction in Drama. Lily now teaches at the Arts Educational School for young children as part of their summer and half term programmes. This has now led Lily on to receive a place on National Youth Theatres(NYT) online programme for 2023. NYT receives an average of over 5000 applicants and offers 500 places, so Lily is thrilled to be a part of this platform where she can then pass on her knowledge and inspire young people. Lily specialises in acting for stage and screen. She can teach a range of skills and methods from a variety of practitioners, finding the best fit for the actor. Her sessions will range from learning about audition and different acting techniques; building confidence and learning new skills in a supportive and fun environment. Being offered a teaching role with TADAA will allow her to pass her enthusiasm onto others to help them fulfil their love of acting and she is delighted to join the TADAA family.

Molly Sharland

Molly has been performing for many years with a huge passion for dance as a child and still performs regularly on the Hampshire circuit. Most recently Molly choreographed “Frozen” for FMSYT and will be the resident choreographer again for 2024. Also in 2024 Molly will be appearing as a lead dancer in the “Hotbox” in Guys and Dolls! At TADAA, Molly can regularly be seen hosting parties and workshops as well as assisting with our street dance classes.

Ciara Ayre

DIPMusT

Ciara has shown her passion for theatre from a very young age. She was one of the first TADAA students in 2008, joining the company when she was 8 years old. She progressed into a student teacher at the age of 17, helping in Musical Theatre, Drama and Tots classes. Ciara became an integral part of TADAA by organising shows, guiding students through festivals and even co-writing, directing and producing TADAA’s first ever pantomime in 2018. She completed her BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Acting at South Downs College with a grade of Triple Distinction* (D*D*D*), covering a range of theatrical styles. As a teenager, Ciara was also involved with various amateur dramatic societies, performing in a range of genres including Shakespeare, Murder Mystery and Musical Theatre.

In 2019, Ciara left TADAA to complete an intensive acting course with The Year Out Drama Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon, working alongside the RSC and with various industry professionals. In Stratford, she developed her skills in acting, singing and dancing and was praised for her work ethic and commitment to projects. She gained valuable experience learning about the Arts Industry, rehearsal discipline and the importance of working as an ensemble, as well as developing her skills as an individual performer.

Ciara is eager to return to TADAA in September and can’t wait to support the company and it’s students as it continues to grow! She hopes to provide fun and interesting classes where students can learn new skills as well as gain confidence. She is passionate about providing a supportive and safe space for students to explore the different aspects of theatre and express themselves through performance.

Nathalie Gunn

BA (Hons)

Nathalie is a professional performer and theatre creative living in Portsmouth. Originally from Kent, Nathalie trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts before completing a BA Honours Degree in Creative & Performing Arts at Portsmouth University. Since graduating, Nathalie has worked as a freelance singing and drama teacher, working with Portsmouth Music Service, The Alzheimers Society, Portsmouth Young Creatives, The Kings Youth Theatre and TADAA. She also works a director and producer. Nathalie is a resident actor for New Apollo Theatre Company, Black Hat Theatrical and has most recently played the role of ‘Paula’ in a new musical tour of ‘Florence & The Mermaid’s Tears’

Nathalie is also the lead singer of popular function band The Spoils and performs solo as an events singer specialising in vintage and musical theatre. We are delighted to have Nathalie on the team working as our main party host and cover teacher.

TADAA Assistants:

Lisa Hodgkins, Evie Nonclercq, Kelsie Hall, Jennifer Kinniard and Emily Rae Jones are the TADAA assistants.