TEAM

Emma Ashton

PRINCIPAL

Emma brings a wealth of professional experience to True Talent, with acting credits spanning television, theatre, and film. She has appeared on screen in productions such as The Syndicate 4, Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Love, Lies & Records, and North & South. Her stage work includes performances at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Sheffield Crucible, York Theatre Royal, and Hull Truck Theatre Company, alongside film roles in Demon Eye, Lies We Tell, and Yasmin.

Ryan Simons

SCREEN

Ryan is a playwright, actor, and filmmaker. His television work includes EastEnders, Spooks, and Booze Cruise 3. As a playwright, Ryan’s works include Shock Horror, Merlin and the Magic Mirror, and The Void, which was recently produced in association with Watford Palace Theatre. He has directed two feature films that have been distributed worldwide. Stage credits include Firebird (Lawrence Batley Theatre), Kes (Perth Theatre Royal), The Tale of Teeka (York Theatre Royal), and Chameleon (Sheffield Crucible).

Lucy Austin

DANCE

Lucy is a professional performing arts teacher, trained dancer, and musician with a background in creative education. She teaches piano, singing, dance, and drama in schools across Kirklees, working with students of all ages and abilities. Her motto — inspire, educate, create — lies at the heart of her teaching philosophy, guiding her approach to every lesson. Lucy brings her passion for the arts and her commitment to nurturing young talent to her work .

Daniel O'Flanagan

SINGING

Dan is a professional actor, singer and musician with a background in dance. He trained at The Guildford School of Acting and has since been in none stop work around the country and parts of Europe. Credits include the UK Tour of 'Dreamboats and Miniskirts' with Bill Kenwright Ltd and 'Grease the Musical' with BKCP Productions. He has also been the Drummer for Huddersfield's Lawrence Batley Theatre’s professional pantomimes. Daniel is also a fully qualified primary school teacher.

Nikki Hellens

DRAMA

Nikki is a professional actor with an extensive career in television, film, and theatre. Screen credits include Emmerdale, Coronation Street, The Tower, Fat Friends, and Hank Zipzer’s Christmas Catastrophe. On stage, she has performed in No Horizon the Musical, Pale Green Nothing, Two, Shakers, and The Dumb Waiter, as well as in productions for Slung Low. Nikki continues to work across stage and screen, bringing versatility to every performance.

Joe Standerline

DRAMA

Joe is a highly experienced actor with an extensive career in television, theatre, and film spanning over three decades. His screen work includes roles in Coronation Street, Emmerdale, The A Word, Shameless, and Doctors. On stage, he has performed with leading companies such as the Royal Exchange Theatre, Hull Truck, and Sheffield Crucible, as well as in national tours, regional repertory, and acclaimed new writing productions throughout the UK.

Why True Talent?

💜 Experienced Tutors
Our team are industry professionals who bring real-world experience into every class.

🎭 Professional Theatre Experience
Students perform in full productions staged at professional venues, learning teamwork, discipline, and stagecraft.

🌟 Positive Environment
Classes are inclusive, creative, and respectful, giving students the confidence to express themselves and take pride in their achievements.

🎬 Pathways for Progress
From stage to screen, students can take their training further through our casting agency and screen acting classes.

BOOK A TRIAL

FAQs

  • Yes. Our additional Screen Acting Class is for students who wish to focus solely on acting for film & TV. You can take that class without joining the Theatre School sessions on a Saturday or you can sign up for both. The choice is yours.

  • All students who sign up for classes are eligible to join our Casting Agency. Once a student has expressed an interest in joining, our tutors spend a term assessing their readiness for professional work. After that, they may have suggestions for improvement or sign the student for professional representation.

  • Fees are paid by direct debit on a monthly basis and are paused during the month of August.

  • Absolutely. Students can pay on a weekly basis for two weeks before deciding to join us.