JAMES MEEHAN

James Meehan started with Meladrama (Preston) in 2001. He was always a natural comedic performer and has gone on to be a professional stand up comedian. Currently his award winning comedy sketch group ‘Gein’s Family Gift Shop’ are causing a stir at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They are receiving rave reviews including a 5 star review from The Sunday Times. James recently was a judge at our recent drama cups and we wish him every success!

Follow James on twitter https://twitter.com/JamesMeehan86 or check out his website www.jamesmeehan.co.uk

JAMES AINSWORTH

Mel spotted James in a show and signed him up immediately. He attended Mel@drama (Preston) from 2007 to 2009, and while with us he appeared in an award winning road safety TV commercial and appeared as Young BJ in the groundbreaking Red Riding Trilogy.

James career has continued to take off and he has since taken a lead role in CBBC’s ‘Jinx’, played Tootles in Nick Willings prequal to ‘Peter Pan’, ‘Neverland’ and appeared as a guest lead in Casualty.With so much talent so young James is bound to go far.

JOSIE CERISE

Josie attended Mel@drama for two years taking lead roles in productions and winning many acting awards. Mel assisted her with audition pieces for drama school and university, and she won a place at the prestigious Northumbria University gaining a First Class BA (Hons) in Performance.

She was snapped up straight away on graduation and is now earning rave reviews all over the country for her performances with prestigious theatre companies such as ‘Tall Stories’. Josie appears as the energetic, gymnastic daughter Mini Ha Ha in the BAFTA nominated ‘Ha Ha Hairies’ on Cartoonito.

She also played Mouse in ‘The Gruffalo’ (West End/UK No.1 Tour) and toured Australia in ‘Room on the Broom’ including a run at the Sydney Opera House. Watch out for Josie in the new series of ‘Grandpa in my Pocket’ on Cbeebies this Autumn. Josie will be helping Mel run the school and agency until October, when she starts rehearsals for The Dukes Christmas show Cinder(Ella) in Lancaster.
Follow Josie on Twitter @josiecerise

JOSEPH SLACK

Joseph was a student with Mel’s ex partner Will Travis but it was Mel that catapulted him to TV fame.  Mel secured Joseph’s credits including BBC’s ‘Doctors’ and ‘Waterloo Road’ and playing the regular character, loner Bryn Williams, in ‘Grange Hill’.

Joseph’s natural determination and passion for acting are a real credit to him and we are sure they will take him far. Joseph is currently writing and directing and you can catch his latest projects here on Youtube or follow him on twitter @WhyHeeeyImJoe

HEATHER NICOL

Heather attended private classes with Mel to prepare for her audition for Sylvia Young theatre school in London. With Mel’s help she won a full scholarship and has since gone on to appear in the West End and various TV shows and films.

Mel also helped Heather win the role of Winifred Bagnall in the film ‘Ballet Shoes’. Since then Heather has gone on to appear in the children’s TV series ‘My Phone Genie’, ‘Casualty’ and ‘Doctors’.
To catch up with Heather follow her on twitter @HeatherNicol5

SHARI FOX

Shari caught Mel’s attention straight away, Originally from Blackpool Shari attended the adult classes in Preston 2010-2012. Whilst with Mel she won the drama cups judged by actor Steve Evets and he was so impressed he paid for a full years classes for Shari at Meladrama.

Shari starred in Whoops whilst with us and also worked for Meladrama productions on numerous corporate ventures. She has since gone onto appear in Emmerdale, DCI Banks, and Coronation Street.   Keep up the good work Shari!

PAUL TOMBLIN

Paul stood out from the very beginning for his natural talent, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by casting directors. Originally a student from A Will & A Way he won rave reviews when touring with Certain Curtains ‘Mockingbird High’  and appeared with Tisha Merry in Hugo Speer’s film ‘Mam’.

Other credits include the short film ‘Audrey’ directed by Tor Kristoffersen. and playing ‘Ray’ in the BBC’s ‘Room at the Top’. Paul has just finished filming a comedy film ‘Whoops!’, the story of an ordinary housewife who is an accidental serial killer.

ABIGAIL STONES

I have had acting lessons from Mel since I was around 8 years old and it’s difficult to put into words how much Mel has helped me throughout my life. Mel has always made every effort to make sure I got into the room with the right people and got incredible opportunities.

When I was auditioning for drama school, Mel made sure my pieces were the best they could be and helped me land a place at LAMDA. Even now, if I need help with a big self tape or audition she makes the time to help me nail it.

In October this year I will be appearing in The School for Good and Evil on Netflix and it was Mel that helped get me the audition and in turn land the role.

Mel has been a constant throughout my life and has always been there when I needed her, whether it be career related or something personal, I knew I could always count on her.

LEO ASHTON

Meladrama is my Mums business and it’s a family business. My mum is a great teacher and has helped so many students pursue their dreams. Aside from that she also helps so many young and old people deal with difficult times and has provided a safe space for people to be honest, creative, make friends for life and learn the craft of acting. Obviously for me personally I couldn’t have done it without her.

I have appeared in PETERLOO, DEEP WATER, THE BAY, RED ROSE and most recently a major HBO drama. I know (because I live with her) that she does the same for her students as she has done for me – often she’s giving feedback on self tapes after a full day at work, private classes for free, even taking kids to castings when their parents don’t have transport or are working. I also know she gives places for free for kids that have trauma in their lives.

I’m biased as she is my mum BUT I’m a professional actor now and I know what it takes to make it. She can teach actors young and old how to nail castings – and she always instills self confidence and is passionate about making sure that EVERYONE gets the same chances – regardless of where they are from or how hard their lives have been. Thanks Mum x

GEORGIE BENNIGSEN

Meladrama and Mel especially has helped me in so many ways. When I first started going to Meladrama, I was a very shy and not very confident 14 years old really wanting to dramabut not really finding my place anywhere.

I still remember the first time I went to Meladrama I walked in very nervously but was thrown in at the deep end and soon made friends that I will remember forever. As cliché as it sounds when you are in a group of people who you have a shared interest with you become a family and that’s what happened and for the next 4 years. I would look forward to every Monday evening where I could do something I loved for a while.

I am currently studying Drama and Theatre Studies at Liverpool Hope and I truly wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for Mel, she gave me the confidence to do so many things including LAMDA and attend all the university auditions.

I hope to become a teacher and if I’m half the teacher Mel is and always will be I would be proud. She puts her students first above everything and it shows through how much her students love her.

TIEGAN GREEN

Meladrama has been such a journey for me. A journey which has created so many opportunities for me which I will forever feel blessed to have been able to take part of!

I started classes with Meladrama 4 years ago and in these 4 years Mel has really taken me under her wing and has helped me to really kick start my acting career. When I first joined Meladrama I was clueless and didn’t know how to get into acting and quite honestly didn’t have the confidence to get started! Mel has really taken me out my shell in this time by helping me release my inner drama queen and build techniques with her expert advice, as after all she is an extremely talented woman!! But the thing I love most about Mel and the meladrama team is that they have a pure passion and love for helping aspiring actors develop.

Not only is Mel amazing at developing you as an actor but once you join the meladrama family Mel and the team will always be there to support you wether that support you required is acting related or just someone to unload on when you need advice or even shoulder to cry on! Meladrama really is a family.

Mel has helped me sign to a top agent where I am constantly auditioning for really exciting tv and film roles and has also helped me with my drama school journey. Mel helped me get into LIPA SIXTH FORM COLLEGE and EAST 15 ACTING SCHOOL and also reach final rounds of top schools such as LAMDA, GUILDHALL, GSA and CENTRAL. Mel even gave me the opportunity to teach at Meladrama and I will forever feel so greatful to have been part of such an amazing team. This experience alone has developed me as a person and I truly would not be who am currently if I didn’t have Mels support in my younger years.

I could not recommend Meladrama enough as Meladrama has changed everything for me And this is all down to the Amazing Melanie Ash and the incredible team!

ALISTAIR LOCK

I have been with Meladrama for 6 years, and in that time I’ve probably only missed around 5 sessions. Through Meladrama, I learnt many skills such as improvisation, acting for TV and comedy acting.

I was also involved in several productions, as well as the Drama Cups. In the early days, Mel acted as my agent which enabled me to take the lead role in two student films, one of which won a BAFTA.

Through Mel, I was introduced to my current agent, Mark Jermin, and I managed to land the role of Dean in the Channel 4 series ‘Screw’.

I am currently aiming to do a degree in film and drama at the University of Manchester, which has been inspired by my time at Meladrama.

RHONA GIBSON

It’s been eight years since I joined Meladrama. I was a very awkward seventeen year old who desperately wanted to be confident enough to perform on stage. Looking back on old videos I can see how much I’ve changed as a performer and as a person.

I’m twenty-four now and have opened my own Party entertainment business doing princess parties for children. Deep down I’ve always felt very different, the difference is now that I’ve been with Mel for eight years I no longer see difference as a bad thing. I use it to my advantage and can fully embrace it through performing.

My confidence has never been better, like I said, I went from an introvert to an extrovert within the time I’ve spent with Meladrama and I couldn’t be happier with myself as a person. I’d recommend the school to anyone. Even if it’s just for confidence building.

LILA GARDNER

I have just completed two years studying Acting at LIPA Sixth Form and am hoping to be going to university to learn about Theatre and Performance.

Being a singer too, I am also teaching myself how to write song lyrics in my spare time. I am so thankful that I started attending classes at Meladrama as I could see much more improvement in my acting skills than I had ever done before, in such a short period of time.

Mel helped me with my audition that got me LIPA and helped me get an agent! Mel is a fantastic teacher that taught me how I can use my individuality to become a better actress and communicated criticism in a way that made me feel more confident. I wouldn’t be as excited as I am about the industry without Meladrama.

LUELLA

I joined Meladrama when I was 4 years old as my mum wanted me to gain more confidence, even though I was already quite dramatic! Attending Meladrama has given me the freedom to be creative and learn techniques that I use in my personal life as well as in acting. It also helped me develop my social skills and make new friends.

Throughout my years at Meladrama I also attended private lessons and gained distinctions in my LAMDA exams, even when I had to change one of my monologues a few days before, Mel helped and supported me throughout.

When I was looking at colleges, Mel advised me to audition for LIPA Sixth Form College, and through Mel’s great guidance and teaching over the years, I was offered a place, (I have just completed my first year). She helped me greatly throughout the application and audition process.

The greatest thing about Mel is that when you don’t believe in yourself, she does, and is your biggest supporter This is what encouraged and pushed me further to never give up even when it feels like there’s no hope Mel gives you the confidence to carry on.

HOLLIE THORNTON

Hi! I’m Hollie and I have been a member of Meladrama in some form or another since I was seven years old! I started with the acting classes and gradually progressed to be a member of Meladrama agency, securing big auditions before Mel kindly assisted in securing me a Manchester-based agency. However it wasn’t just acting training that I got out of Meladrama, she is careful to provide responsibilities to willing students in which she set me up as a freelance drama teacher at various schools when the timing was right.

Leading on from this I became a director of Meladrama Community Intrest Company where I would run and teach my own drama schools in deprived areas to provide drama training to children who usually miss out on these opportunities at a discounted price.

I couldn’t be more grateful for my time at Meladrama and will always be coming back in to teach and catch up with everyone. Mel was a fantastic mentor for acting and life! She set me up with an array of skills that have propelled me into further life. I now work in Social Media Marketing both freelance and employed which I wouldn’t have had the confidence to do without Mel’s ‘go for it’ attitude.

ROWAN ADLINGTON

After being a part of Meladrama Agency since the age of seven, I have continually learnt so many important skills. Drama gave me a way to articulate my words professionally and speak with confidence which has helped me to succeed in interviews and perform speeches and presentations with ease. And whilst I haven’t pursued acting, the skills I have learnt have played a huge role in attaining my current position of a degree apprentice with the company EDF, where I am a part of the TCO team who operate Cyber Security systems to protect nuclear power stations.

To add to this, I have just spent a fantastic summer working at a science and technology camp in a counsellor role that I achieved through having so much experience working as an assistant with Meladrama’s younger groups. I loved being able to be a part of class both as a student and a leader for games and activities. However, the most valuable thing taught to me by Meladrama was that I should be myself no matter what and let my personality shine, always

Meladrama is a special place with amazing people where you will always be loved and accepted for who you are, and it has stayed with me as a value I have carried throughout my life.

LAUREN CORLESS

After being a part of Meladrama Agency since the age of seven, I have continually learnt so many important skills. Drama gave me a way to articulate my words professionally and speak with confidence which has helped me to succeed in interviews and perform speeches and presentations with ease. And whilst I haven’t pursued acting, the skills I have learnt have played a huge role in attaining my current position of a degree apprentice with the company EDF, where I am a part of the TCO team who operate Cyber Security systems to protect nuclear power stations.

To add to this, I have just spent a fantastic summer working at a science and technology camp in a counsellor role that I achieved through having so much experience working as an assistant with Meladrama’s younger groups. I loved being able to be a part of class both as a student and a leader for games and activities. However, the most valuable thing taught to me by Meladrama was that I should be myself no matter what and let my personality shine, always

Meladrama is a special place with amazing people where you will always be loved and accepted for who you are, and it has stayed with me as a value I have carried throughout my life.