PQA Middlesbrough.

Carrick Stimson-Machers

Carrick started his training at PQA at the age of 11. Now, having achieved his first-class honours degree, whist working as academy manager at PQA Stockport. He now works at various academies across the South West of England. At college, Carrick gained a Cambridge Technical Diploma in Performing Arts (Distinction*Distinction*) and an A-Level in Film Studies. During this time, Carrick remained a PQA student, achieving Trinity (Devised) grade 8. All this work helped him earn a place at The Arden School of Theatre in Manchester. Whilst studying for his B.A, Carrick was lucky enough to work with a range of professional companies, from immersive character-based work with ‘The Lantern Company’, to collaborating with the contemporary and highly anarchic ‘In Bed with My Brother’. He created two solo street theatre performances that toured around Manchester and Liverpool, a site-specific performance at the historic Salford Lads Club and he’s been part of a show that was taken to Bilbao, working with Basque drama school BAI Bizkaiko Antzerki Ikastegia. Carrick’s most recent solo production, ‘Time to Panic’, debuted at The Lowry in Manchester as part of ‘UnTaPed 23’. He enjoys creating work that utilises comedy, anarchy and presentational elements or order to tackle otherwise challenging issues.

Christopher Stimson-Machers

Chris graduated from Liverpool University with a B.A. (Hons) 2:1 in Drama and English Literature before completing his Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Manchester University. He recently returned to education in order to complete a master’s degree in English literature, with the Open University, which he passed with distinction. Chris’s experience in education includes Head of Drama posts at schools in Wolverhampton, London and Cornwall followed by a move to Stroud in order to take on the role of Head of Performing and Media Arts at Maidenhill School in Stonehouse. As well as leading a department, Chris was also BTEC Quality Nominee for the school, ensuring the smooth running of their vocational qualifications. Chris is also an experienced director of youth theatre with acclaimed productions of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘We Will Rock You’ and ‘Hairspray’ to name but a few. He is also co-founder of ‘Dead Ernest Theatre Company’, which has toured the South-West with performances of John Godber’s ‘Bouncers’ (in which he played Judd) and Ben Elton’s ‘Popcorn’, which he directed.

Ellie Venn

Ellie is currently a working film and television actor, having experience in many projects ranging from short films to feature films, from background artistes to lead characters, taking any and all opportunities presented to her. Not only this, Ellie is a competitive Ballroom and Latin dancer, competing solo and in a lady-lady couple at national competitions multiple times throughout the year, taking time to create dance accessories and decorate dresses for herself and her fellow dancers. Ellie began her musical theatre training in 2012 where she specialised in classical singing. Ellie graduated college in 2022 with a triple Distinction* Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts. She tried many different roles, characters and styles in a desire to push herself in all disciplines. This was largely down to her time at PQA as a teenager, further inspiring her and making her appreciate all aspects of the arts which has ultimately steered her to her current path within the film and television industry.

Jaye Marshall

Since graduating in 2012, Jaye has worked as a teacher, performer and creative with an extensive list of credits. As a member of Boy Blue entertainment, performed across the country at venues such as Indigo2, London Olympia and the Barbican. Professional dancer in Opening Ceremony of the Olympics in 2012. Danced on BBC One Show, Alan Carr Chatty Man, The Royal Variety Show in 2013, The National Television Awards in 2014, Magic at the musicals at The Royal Albert Hall in 2022, The Olivier awards also at The Royal Albert Hall in 2023. Jaye has been in the original casts of I Can’t Sing-The X Factor Musical at The London Palladium in 2014, Sylvia at The Old Vic, with ZooNation; The Kate Prince Company in 2018, Dick Whittington at The National Theatre in 2020, & Juliet-The Max Martin musical at The Shaftesbury Theatre as DC/Swing/Cover Nurse from 2019-March 22 and then returned for the second version of Sylvia at The Old Vic, as DC/On stage swing in 2023. Jaye has also worked as a choreographer on many projects, including the team for the opening of the Expo in Qatar in 2023, but most notably choreographed for Robe Lighting, with productions seen in Frankfurt, Las Vegas and London. Throughout this time, Jaye has produced, programmed and directed her own full length shows in Gloucestershire raising thousands for charities that are important in her home community.

Louie Powell

Marie Stimson-Machers

Marie studied Film & Television with Theatre Studies at Derby University followed by a Postgraduate Certificate in Education in Drama & Contextual Studies at The University of Reading. After one year of teaching, she was promoted to Head of Drama and continued in this role for 16 years in local secondary schools. Marie also has recently gained a Masters Degree in Events Management (distinction) at Falmouth University and is starting her Phd (with a focus on inclusion for ASC children) in society and within events. In 2003 she attained her Post Graduate Diploma in Education (Performance Coaching) and also started working for Pearson (Edexcel) as a GCSE Drama examiner & moderator with years of experience in leading teams as an Assistant Principal. Marie is also a trained Arts Award Trinity Guildhall advisor - up to and including Gold and a trained Youth Mental Health Advisor. She has directed varied and numerous productions over the years from The Edinburgh Fringe Festival to The West End and is a keen playwright, attaining The Fringe ‘Recommended Youth Theatre’ badge for her recent play ‘The Terrible Tail of Adelaide Worthing’. In her ‘spare’ time she is also a mum to three children and therefore doubles up as a taxi driver, cleaner, personal organiser and cuddle monster. If she has any time left over, she runs, albeit rather slowly and has completed the London marathon four times!