Our Teachers
Andrew
Wright
PG Cert FHEA VHFA
I.S.T.D. DDI. DDE.
Co-Director
Musical Theatre Tutor & Resident Director
Andrew trained professionally at Laine Theatre Arts and worked in the industry before moving into teaching, direction, choreography and producing. He is Programme Leader/Resident Producer/Senior Lecturer for Musical Theatre Performance and Musical Theatre (Triple Threat) at The University of Chichester, Principal and Co-Director of The Academy of Musical Theatre and has held an artistic residency at The Salisbury Playhouse.
Andrew was appointed as Course Leader and Director of the Mayflower Musical Youth Theatre and between September 2013 and July 2014, he initiated and developed the programme for its inaugural year. From 2017-2022 Andrew created, developed and held the position of course liaison tutor for a collaborative undergraduate degree programme with Performers College in Essex. Andrew is a regular panel member and contributor for Musical Theatre Network (MTN)’s events and conferences on developing new musical theatre writing within the UK.
Credits include:
Choreography: The Snow Queen (Royal & Derngate), Cinderella, Snow White, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan, Jesus Christ Superstar, Beauty and the Beast, Pippin, Pirates of Penzance, The Magic Flute, Spring Awakening, Cats and Sweeney Todd.
Direction: Jekyll and Hyde, Frozen, Newsies, Matilda, Aristocats, The Jungle Book, Grease, Children of Eden, The Little Mermaid, Legally Blonde, Kings Theatre’s 110th Anniversary Gala, Parade, Seussical, Guys and Dolls, HONK!, Fame, Just So, Sparkleshark, DNA, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Annie, Cats, The Addams Family and Into The Woods.
Producing: Edges, Picnic at Hanging Rock, Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Earthquakes in London, Footloose, Loveplay, Legally Blonde, Stags and Hens, Parade, Gulliver’s Travels (World Premiere), Decade, The Wedding Singer, Dracula (World Premiere), Little Women, Notre Dame (World Premiere), Pornography, The Addams Family, Forever Oz (World Premiere), Jekyll and Hyde, The Stationmaster (World Premiere), Our House, Cry-Baby, Fiddler On The Roof, Marriage Á La Mode (World Premiere), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Bare and Hourglass (World Premiere), Urinetown, The Clockmaker’s Daughter, Reanimator (World Premiere), 9 to 5, American Idiot, Scholl (World Premiere), The Lightning Thief, Amélie, Something In The Water (World Premiere), Rock Of Ages and Spring Awakening.
Production/Facilitation of New Musical Workshops: P.S. I’m A Terrible Person, Buzz, The Boy Who Sailed The Ocean In An Armchair, Ordinary People, The Infinity Script, Cast Party, Undertaking Betty, The Velveteen Daughter, Turing, The Royal Academy Of Crime, Lifeline, The Bachelor Girls, My So-Called Haunting, Ever Onward, Frankie & Stein, Stupid Cupid, Judgement Day, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close and Maison Mac.
Andrew is currently studying for an MA(Ed), he is a qualified Vocal Health first-aider, has a Post-Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching for Higher Education and is also accredited as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Andrew has a passion for teaching all aspects of the theatre and developing talent within his students. He is thrilled to be working within and educating others in the world of theatre and dedicates all his hard work and effort to his three children, who are his greatest achievement to date!
Caroline
Bennett
Co-Director
Singing Tutor & Resident Musical Director
Caroline is an Associate Lecturer in Musical Theatre at the University of Chichester, where she delivers one-to-one singing tuition and teaches singing and ensemble performance across the University's musical theatre programmes. Alongside her work in higher education, she is Co-Director of the Academy of Musical Theatre (AMT), where she has helped shape the school's training and artistic vision since 2011.
A performer with over 20 years' experience, Caroline has appeared in numerous musical theatre productions across the South East, performing leading roles in productions including Anything Goes, Follies, Shrek the Musical, Beauty and the Beast and Chess.
Originally trained as a pianist, Caroline achieved Grade 8 ABRSM Piano and has been immersed in music and performance from an early age. Her teaching combines strong technical vocal training with a supportive, nurturing approach, creating an environment where every student feels encouraged to grow in confidence, develop their individuality and achieve their full potential.
Since becoming Co-Director of AMT, Caroline has played a key role in developing the school's reputation for high-quality musical theatre training and outstanding productions. Her philosophy is simple: every student deserves expert tuition in a welcoming, inclusive environment where they are challenged, supported and inspired to become the very best performer they can be—whether their ambitions lie on the professional stage or they simply perform for the joy of it.
Jo Abbott
Jo began dancing at the age of 5 at Djanita School of Dance in Portsmouth. She continued training up to the age of 18 taking classes in all styles of dance, including Modern, Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Ballroom, Latin, and Old Time.
Jo successfully passed her IDTA, ISTD and RAD exams whilst also gaining a place with the Portsmouth Players, appearing in many musicals such as Oklahoma, White Horse Inn, Pajama Game, Brigadoon, Calamity Jane and Jesus Christ Superstar. Not a stranger to dance companies in the area, she performed with the Portsmouth Youth Dance Company and came first in the South Hants dance finals.
As a teacher she began her training as an assistant and eventually became a tutor for her local school, however as a busy mother of three, with a part time job as a hairdresser, she decided to put her teaching endeavours on hold. Jo at present works at Copnor Infant School and we are delighted that she has finally put her dancing shoes back on to join our teaching staff at the Academy.
Rainbows/Musical Theatre/Ballet/Tap Tutor
Dotty
Evans
Ballet/Tap/Modern/
Musical Theatre Tutor
Dotty began dancing at the age of 3 where she studied BBO and IDTA Ballet, Tap and Modern and later studied Lyrical, Contemporary, Commercial, Street Dance and Ballroom/Latin. Dotty continued to take her grades in all her dance styles, whilst further developing technique and performance until the age of 18. During her time in school and further education, Dotty competed in dance festivals, took part in various shows and developed a passion for musical theatre. Musical Theatre performance credits include: Ghost, Strictly Musicals, Into The Woods, West Side Story, Legally Blonde, 9 to 5, Sweeney Todd, Jekyll and Hyde, Wedding Singer, Rock of Ages, Chess, Grease,.
Dotty went on to study at the University of Chichester Conservatoire and graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Musical Theatre Performance. Dotty worked with various, successful professionals on multiple productions at the University as both a performer and as a creative member. Dotty was fortunate enough to choreograph and musically direct large-scale showcases at the University and further expand her knowledge in choreography and Musical direction whilst shadowing leading professionals.
In addition to studying dance, Dotty studied piano from the age of 4 achieving Grade 8 in ABRSM and TRINITY examinations. Dotty gained her GCSE Music and A-Level Music, as well as completing her music theory grades and MT singing grades through college. Dotty also plays a wider range of instruments including brass instruments, wind instruments, guitar and bass.
Dotty is currently studying for her DDE in Modern, Ballet and Tap as well as training at the University of Southampton to be a NMC registered Children’s Nurse with speciality. Dotty has a passion for teaching and working with children; she is delighted to be working at AMT helping to share her knowledge, have lots of fun and help work with children on all aspects of musical theatre and dance.
Sophia
Truesdell
Modern/Musical Theatre Tutor
Sophia is a professional performer, choreographer and dance teacher with over 10 years' experience inspiring young people through dance, musical theatre and the performing arts.
After graduating with a First Class BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre Performance from the University of Chichester, Sophia has enjoyed a varied career performing across the UK and internationally. Her credits include P&O Cruises, Merlin Entertainments, Pump Up the 90s touring production, Manic Stage Productions Showgirls, music videos and professional theatre, alongside choreographing full-scale musical productions and leading commercial dance workshops.
Alongside her performing career, Sophia has spent over a decade teaching dance and musical theatre to children of all ages, building both confidence and strong technical foundations.
As a proud AMT alumna and ISTD-trained dancer, she is delighted to be returning to the school that played such an important role in her own training and inspiring the next generation of performers.
Victoria
Hutton
I.S.T.D. DDE.
Victoria began dancing at a young age and, after graduating from Bird Conservatoire, went on to pursue a teaching career in dance. Throughout her career, Victoria has successfully achieved her DDE qualifications in Tap, Ballet, and Modern, and has taught students of all ages and abilities at local dance schools. Currently, Victoria teaches as an Associate Lecturer in Dance and Musical Theatre at the University of Chichester.
Alongside her teaching career, Victoria has also enjoyed performing, with selected stage credits including “Sarah Brown” in Guys and Dolls and “Irene Roth” in Crazy for You.
Passionate about inspiring the next generation of performers, Victoria is delighted to be a part of the Academy of Musical Theatre teaching faculty and is excited to share her knowledge with students at the Academy.
Ballet/Tap Tutor
Ieuan
Price
Private Singing Tutor
Ieuan started singing at 15. Originally he started in musical theatre at college and training at the Emil Dale Sunday School (EDSA). However during covid Ieuan began training classically, and although joining the university of Chichester’s conservatoire for musical theatre he swiftly changed to degree to ‘(Classical) Vocal Performance.’
Ieuan completed his final year of studying at the university as a young dramatic tenor in 2025 and has been fortunate enough to have performance experience ranging from a UK tour, to performing in cathedrals in France, performing opera in Italy. And private events at Goodwood house. Ieuan has a passion for singing and loves to share the passion.
Performance History :
Friends of Ravenna, Bel Canto and Romantic operatic arias. Soloist February 2025
English song concert, Chichester University - November 2024
Puccini’s 100th Death Day Anniversary Tour, Ravenna, Italy- July- August 2024
Solo recital, Chapel of Ascension- May 2024
Ensemble concert, Chapel of ascension – May 2024
Soloist, English Song Concert, Graylingwell Chapel – November 2023
Solo recital, Chapel of ascension – May 2023
Ensemble concert, Chapel of ascension – May 2023
Soloist, Languages Concert, Chapel of Ascension – March 2023
Soloist, English Song Concert, Chapel of Ascension – November 2022
Goodwood House Private Commission – October 2022