ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
POPCORN Musical Theatre Workshop are an independently owned performing arts school focused on nurturing the creativity and confidence of every child. We believe in the real life benefits of the arts and how it can positively impact children's social skills, vocabulary, as well as performing being a really fun outlet to encourage self-expression. We strive for your child to not only learn skills in performance, but grow in confidence and make life-long friends and memories.
OUR MISSION
At Popcorn we want to find the best in every student - giving every child the chance to POP! We believe everyone has something special to offer, whether you want to tread the boards of a West End stage, meet new friends or build your confidence; Popcorn is here to help you on your journey. We understand that learning to sing, dance and act is not always easy and can be intimidating. We want that intimidation to be lost the moment you walk into one of our classes, entering into a creative and exciting space where all of our students can be brave and all of our students are accepted for who they are.
Meet Our Team
At Popcorn your child will be inspired by our team of highly experienced, industry trained, fully qualified teachers.
Emma McCormack (previously Harding)
Emma is a BA Musical Theatre Graduate from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, prior to this she completed her foundation in Musical Theatre at The Guildford School of acting. Upon graduating, she has been working within the industry as an actor, singer and musician.
Emma is also an experienced teacher having worked for many performing arts companies over the years. She decided to open up Popcorn as she strongly believes in the benefits of arts education and wanted to create a space where all children can feel the benefits and become more confident, creative, imaginative and independent versions of themselves. She loves teaching as well as performing and has known from a very young age that her passion is to combine the two to help students develop through performance. She is completely passionate about the effects of performance on a person’s life, it can help with communication, presentation and concentration. Most importantly, it is a lot of fun!
Emma has recently qualified as a vocal health first aider. Emma can now provide students with help, support and reassurance when it comes to their vocal health problems and can also provide students with tips and techniques to prevent vocal health issues from occurring. Emma is also a Mental Health first aider, meaning she is trained to listen, reassure, and respond, even in a crisis – and can potentially avert it from happening. This can be done by recognising warning signs, and having the skills and confidence to approach and support someone experiencing mental ill-health.
At popcorn Emma aims to provide a professional, individual and friendly experience. She wants every child to feel comfortable so they all have their chance to POP!
Euan McCormack
Euan is from Edinburgh, Scotland and is also a BA Musical Theatre graduate from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Since graduating Euan has been working in the industry as an actor and a teacher.
Euan started acting when he was 13 and went onto train at The Dance School of Scotland in Glasgow gaining an ATCL Diploma, with distinction. Since graduating he has performed on stage and screen. Credits include: Square Go (National Tour) Sunshine on Leith (National Tour) Maggie May (Finborough Theatre, London) A War if Two Halves (Edinburgh Fringe) The Broons (Scottish Tour) Still Game - Series 9 (BBC) Anna and The Apocalypse (Blazing Griffin Productions) to name but a few.
You may have seen Euan recently in STARZ PLAY original series OUTLANDER or on the West End Stage in The Play That Goes Wrong.
Euan strongly believes that even if you don’t want to pursue a career in the arts, the skills you learn through drama can help with every day parts of life, such as, self confidence, concentration, organisation and presentation skills. He can’t wait to see you all and hopes that every child who comes along is ready to HAVE FUN!
Euan also operates under the name Euan Bennet for his acting work.
Owen Murphy
Owen is currently completing his degree in Performance in Musical Theatre BA (Hons) at PPA. Owen has been teaching at theatre schools across the UK since 2016, so has plenty of experience in building confidence and encouraging creativity in young people. He has been working in the performing arts industry since childhood and he continues this passion through his teaching, with fun, exciting & educational material in each session. Throughout his career thus far, Owen has gained many credits within the industry including performing & directing work.
He is also co-founder of Two In A Bed Theatre Company, producing & directing many successful original productions back in Manchester. Owen is currently composer/lyricist for a new British musical (in development) called ‘Just Rose’.
Owen has theatre running through his veins & is thrilled to be part of the team here at Popcorn! His motto is- ‘Work hard, play harder!’
Imi Timms
Imi has just graduated from the BA (Hons) Musical Theatre course at PPA. Imi’s own journey started at the age of 9 when attending a local stage school, and she believes this is one of the best places to build confidence and for a child to unapologetically be themselves! Alongside now auditioning professionally, Imi loves to create with the next generation of aspiring performers and seeing them grow as individuals as well as performers. She always aims to inspire the way her teachers have done for her over the years, but most importantly, she loves to have fun! Credits whilst training include: Elf the Musical, Deb/Dance Captain, Just So; Zebra, Rent; Ensemble, Follies; Young Phyllis/Dance Captain, SpongeBob the Musical; Swing/Dance Captain.
Imi is super excited to be part of the team at Popcorn!
"My daughter has loved these workshops! The size of the group isn’t too big, meaning each child gets attention and they work well as a team. Having done nearly a year at another well known group, we were disappointed at the lack of real opportunity to act and sing and have a speaking part. Every child at Popcorn has equal opportunity to shine. Highly recommended."
