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!’

Samuel Thomas

Samuel is a professionally trained, award winning actor, and has been performing on stage and screen since the age of seven. 

As well as working as a professional actor, and singer, Samuel has been teaching clients throughout the pandemic, setting up his own online based coaching company called The VocalLists, Samuel continues to teach clients on a freelance basis. Samuel is a passionate teacher, and believes in passing down the elevator when it comes to sharing his own experiences, and what he has learned from professional training and from working in the professional industry. 

Samuel graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in 2016 with a First Class BA(HONS) in Musical Theatre. Since graduating, Samuel has worked in many professional productions in and around London’s West End, including most recently The Normal Heart at the National Theatre, directed by Dominic Cooke, and starring Ben Daniels & Liz Carr. Other credits include: Man of La Mancha at the ENO, starring Kelsey Grammar, The Comedy About a Bank Robbery in the West End, Honeymoon in Vegas, at the London Palladium, conducted by Jason Robert Brown, and starring Arthur Darvill and Samantha Barks, The Last Five Years, directed by Jason Robert Brown, starring Samantha Barks & Jonathan Bailey, Floyd Collins, Death Takes a Holiday, Allegro, for which Samuel won ’The Stage’ Debut Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2016, 35MM, The Rhythmics- a new musical, Samuel recorded lead vocals for the concept album of the musical in 2020, as well as performing in numerous concerts & workshops for new shows. 

Samuel attended Guildford School of Acting- Saturday School between the age of 13-16, which is where he first met Emma, and appeared in numerous productions for them, including Whistle Down the Wind at the Electric Theatre in Guildford, and Honk! He can't wait to inspire the next generation of creatives here at Popcorn!