The Team
Our highly experienced teachers have had formal training in Performing Arts and/or are currently working in the industry.
Kim Southey - Principal
Drama/Singing Teacher
Kim is a Director and Writer. She studied 'Film and Television Production' at the University of Hertfordshire before going on to do an MA in 'Text and Performance' at RADA and Birkbeck. Kim also took the 'Advanced Playwriting' course at Theatre 503 under Dawn King, and masterclasses in directing at RADA with Katie Mitchell. Kim has worked extensively in the industry for over ten years. She founded Mimic Theatre Company, Youth Theatre and Stage School in 2018. Writer/Director credits include: 30 Minutes (Theatre N16 and Intermission), Growing Pains (RADA and Hope Theatre). Writing credits include: Bana and Mary (Original Impact), Egg-Shaped Prick (Chewin the Fat Magazine). Directing credits include: My Recollection (Intermission), The Rattlesnake's Kiss (Sense of Place), Bag Lady (Actor Awareness Festival). As Assistant Director: Gertrude the Cry (Theatre N16), Blackhander (Theatre N16), Twelfth Night (UK Tour). Kim has directed countless youth musicals and plays for theatre schools and in festivals around Hertfordshire.
@kimsouthey www.kimsouthey.co.uk
Abbie Reck - Vice Principal
Performing Arts/Acro Teacher
Abbie graduated in 2019 with a BA Hons Degree in Dance and Performance from Buckinghamshire New University. Here Abbie specialised in jazz. Abbie has danced since the age of three and has many ISTD certificates in modern, tap and ballet. She has also been teaching locally since 2012. Abbie's directing credits include 'Annie' & 'Camp Rock' with Expressions Youth Theatre. She also founded an award winning Musical Theatre Society at University. Since joining Mimic, Abbie now teaches Musical Theatre for our Stevenage Stage School Minis and Main School, Dance for two our Welwyn Stage School classes, and tutors/directs our Junior Youth Theatre group!
Bethany Filler
Drama Teacher
Bethany started her professional journey as a child, attending the Sylvia Young Theatre School from the age of 10. She then went on to gain her DDI teaching qualification from the ISTD syllabus in both Tap and Modern, before continuing her training at Bodywork Company, where she left with a level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre, and was awarded the Triple Threat Award. Whilst training, and since Graduating, Bethany has worked professionally in numerous shows, including Hairspray, Sister Act, Rapunzel the musical, The Producers and Singing in the rain as well as appearing in various pantos, and most recently completing a 6 month contract in the Caribbean where
she starred in shows such as Alice in Wonderland, Jungle Book and Treasure Island, as well as being the lead actor and singer in a cabaret style show called Dolce Vita. Bethany has also been teaching since the age of 15. Bethany's favourite thing about teaching is watching her students grow in confidence and leave the class with a big smile on their face after a good session of working hard! Beth teaches Drama for our Friday Stage School.
Gemma Barnes
Singing Teacher
Gemma trained at The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, and has been working professionally ever since, performing in the UK, abroad and on cruise ships. Alongside performing Gemma also teaches as it's something she is really passionate about, seeing the confidence and knowledge of a young student continue to grow, week after week, gaining an insight into the industry and learning important life skills. Gemma has years of teaching and performance experience, and is really proud to be able to share her passion with the children and young adults at Mimic Stage School! Gemma is our Friday Stage School Singing teacher. www.gemmaannebarnes.com
Tayler Bush
Advanced Acrobatic Arts Teacher
Tayler graduated from Italia Conti Arts Centre where she did a diploma in Performing arts and achieved her DDIs in Modern and Tap. Tayler fell into teaching soon after graduating adding to her teaching qualification which includes her Acrobatics Arts qualification. Tayler has been teaching dance since 2014 and Acrobatics since 2018. She has a huge passion seeing children achieve their goals and grow their talent each week within class. Since joining Mimic, Tayler now teaches both our Welwyn and Stevenage Acro classes, as well as Dance for Stevenage Stage School.
Leonie Digby
Dance Teacher
Leonie's dancing journey began at the age of 4 with Roney and Barbara School of Dancing. At the age of 16, Leonie joined Penny Meekings Dance College where she achieved her teaching qualifications under the ISTD in Ballet, Tap, Modern and National dancing. She also gained her Advanced 2 in all genres. Her teaching journey began at Niki Barbara Dance Academy at the age of 17, where she continues to teach. She choreographs for many shows and enters students for their ISTD exams. Leonie is looking forward to joining everyone at Mimic and introducing her passion and knowledge of dance to all.
Patsy Smith
Mini's Teacher & Acro Assistant
Patsy graduated with a BA Hons Education, Teaching and Learning degree from the University of Hertfordshire. Patsy has been a part of Mimic for a long time; she was a student at the original school for many years. Patsy has been dancing since the age of 3 and has completed up to Grade 6 in Modern, Tap and Ballet and has also experienced in styles such as Jazz and Musical Theatre. Patsy's experience includes representing England in the Dance World Cup where she gained a silver medal. She has been in many of the Hawthorne Theatre Pantomimes including Sleeping Beauty and Beauty & the Beast. Patsy has a passion working with children and really enjoys working with the Mini's as she enjoys helping them as they start their journey into performing. Patsy teaches Mimic Mini's on Mondays (Stevenage) and Fridays (Welwyn).
Eleanor Johnson
Drama, Singing & LAMDA Teacher
Eleanor has been performing her whole life and is about to graduate from Emil Dale Academy after completing her professional training in musical theatre. She is an experienced teacher and absolutely loves sharing her passion for performing arts with budding performers. Eleanor has been teaching dance, singing and acting for 4 years as well as private singing lessons. Eleanor is trained in LAMDA examinations and is a registered vocal health first aider. Eleanor is super excited to be joining the Mimic team!!
Jessica Neville
Mini's/Acro Assistant Teacher
Jessica is currently studying A levels in Performing Arts Acting, Musical Theatre and Film at Elstree Screen Arts. Jessica has been a student at Mimic for many years and now is very excited to be teaching for the school. Jessica has danced since the age of 3 mainly training in Hiphop, Contemporary, Modern, Musical Theatre, Ballet and Pointe as well as many other styles. She has completed ISTD exams in Modern. Jessica has been apart of two pantomimes at the the Hawthorne Theatre Campus West: Dick Whittington in 2016 and Aladdin in 2018. Before this, Jessica did competitive dance in Hiphop and has been an extra in a film and a music video. Jessica loves working with children helping them build confidence and loves seeing them developing their skills.
Isabella Smith
Mini's/Acro Assistant Teacher
Isabella is currently studying for her GCSEs at Monkswalk school. Isabella has had a passion for dance ever since she started dancing from the age of 2. She currently dances at Ignite Dance Company and competes in dance festivals including All England and the Dance World Cup. One of her biggest achievements was gaining 3rd in the world for her tap solo. She has gained many medals through all genres of dance. She currently does Tap, Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Commercial and Acro. She has completed up to intermediate levels in Tap and Modern and currently in senior classes for all other genres. Isabella has also been in 6 pantomimes; Cinderella, Dick Whittington, Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin, Snow White and the Severn dwarfs and Jack and the Beanstalk at Campus West Hawthorne Theatre. Isabella is also under Daisy&Dukes agency and has had many acting opportunities which she really enjoyed. Isabella loves working with the Minis and helping them to progress and achieve their dreams.
Office Staff & Technical Team
Dean Tanner
Technical Director/Photographer
Dean graduated from The University of the Lincoln in 2012 with a degree in Film and Media. He has worked in Television for the past six years, as a Producer and Edit Producer. Most recently, Dean has worked on the last few series of long-running Channel 5 documentary series GPs Behind Closed Doors. Other credits include: Breaking the Taboo (Sundog Pictures), 24 Hours in A&E (Channel 4), 24 Hours in Police Custody (Channel 4), The Detectives (BBC2) (Channel 4), and Tyger Takes On (BBC 3). Dean has assisted in youth productions both with Splitz School of Dance and Drama and the Barn Theatre. Dean is also the Technical Director for Mimic Theatre Company.
Naomi Meaden
Production Assistant
Naomi is an actor based in Hertfordshire. She started out attending the Barn Youth Theatre throughout her teens, being taught by Mimic’s Principal Kim Southey and working on many productions alongside her. Naomi went on to train at Bodens College of Performing Arts and later, The Oxford School of Drama. Since recently graduating, Naomi has been auditioning within the industry and is represented by Hashtag Talent Agency. Some of her credits whilst training include Godspell, Decius in Julius Caesar and Whistle Down the Wind. She is excited to be involved in Mimic and supporting the Mimic team! @naomifleury
Edie Spencer
Company Stage Manager
Edie is a skilled technician and musician holding a BSc degree in Live Sound & Lighting Technology from the University of Hertfordshire. She works full time as a Technician at a college and is actively involved in various freelance technical roles.
A long-term member of Mimic Theatre Company, Edie has taken on several significant roles with show credits including: Deputy Stage manager for Camp Rock and Oliver as well as Stage Manager for Matilda, Les Miserables, Scherazade and Peter Pan. She also served as Sound No.2 and Stage Crew for Beauty and the Beast pantomime.
In her freelance career, Edie has toured the UK visiting various theatres and gaining extensive experience. Additionally, she is an accomplished musician, holding Grade 8 Viola and Grade 6 singing. Edie is an active member of a local choir and has performed at prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall with the Hertfordshire School Symphony Orchestra.
She loves working with Children and finds immense joy in watching them grow and succeed. She eagerly anticipates supporting their creative development in future shows.
Shaun Nolan
Administrative Assistant
The Arts have always been the foundation of Shaun's life and now, he loves working with people who have that similar kind of passion. What Shaun believes is so wonderful about working with educators in the Arts is getting to see people inspire others with their passions and open minds to something new.
As well as working with a number of theatre schools and production companies to help bring this work to life, he is also starting on a career in writing, acting, directing and producing work of his own, His stage work includes "Paper Dolls" (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2018), "Paper Dolls & Other Shorts" (Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, 2019), "A Place Set Aside for Sleeping" (The Limelight Theatre, 2022), and "Party Baggage" (The Drayton Arms Theatre, 2024), as well as countless other audio and film projects.