Meet The Team
Mark McCredie
Head of academy
Mark is a performer and theatre-maker based in Cambridgeshire. He trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, graduating with an MA in Musical Theatre. Mark works as a professional actor and singer in various areas of the industry and has performed in theatres and festivals, on screen, on world cruises and in concerts at prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall.
Mark is part of the Musical Theatre writing duo ‘Wheatley & McCredie' and they are currently developing their first musical The Mourning After.
Alongside performing, Mark teaches and workshops performing arts skills in primary and secondary schools, as well as college and university settings. He has worked at establishments such as, The Eastern School of Performing Arts (ESPA), where he taught acting through song and led students through their LAMDA exams.
Mark believes that young people should have the chance to create, explore and play, and celebrates opportunities where they are encouraged to do so.
Laura spaven
Head of academy
Laura is an experienced primary school teacher based in Peterborough, gaining her teaching qualification from Canterbury Christ Church University. Prior to her teaching career, Laura established a robust background in performance and the theatre arts.
She studied Drama at the University of Lincoln where she graduated with a First Class degree, was Vice President of the Musical Theatre Society and co-founded Refract Theatre Company, where she served as writer and director. In 2015, Laura was awarded the ‘Outstanding Contribution to Theatre’ prize for her work during her degree.
Laura has previously taken on the role of Head of Performing Arts at an internationally recognised summer camp in North Michigan, USA. She completed an internship with the British Film Institute in London and regularly works within the entertainment team on European cruise liners.
Laura has seen first-hand how theatre transforms a young person’s ability to navigate their world socially through communication development, sharing and confidence building.