Theatre workshops led by professional practitioners

The Professional Connection is a unique company that offers students the opportunity to take part in workshops run by working practitioners.

We believe that learning from someone who is already out there in the industry can give people studying for GCSE's A - Levels or degree the chance to see what it is really like to pursue a career in the performing arts.

Our practitioners work freelance for regional and London theatres, established theatre companies at drama schools, as well as for educational institutions. Their varied professional work can give fresh insight to young people.

We work with actors, directors, movement directors, fight directors and combat specialists.

Tony Middleton is a freelance theatre director, fight director, fencing coach and magician. He holds a First Class Honours Degree in Drama & Theatre Studies from Royal Holloway, University of London, an MFA in Theatre Directing from Birkbeck, University of London, a black belt in Tae Kwon-Do, an advanced recommendation certificate in stage combat from the BADC, a Level 3 Foil Coaching Award with the British Academy of Fencing, and is also a qualified first aider. His credits as a director and assistant director include Riverside Studios, Theatre by the Lake, London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art and Nottingham Playhouse. He has also consulted for Hampstead Theatre, run workshops at Trestle Theatre and worked in production for Theatre 503. He coaches fencing at The Royal Academy of Dance, Leicester Fencing Club and Hitchin Fencing Club. As a magician, his credits include The National Theatre, Blenheim Palace, The National Portrait Gallery, The Natural History Museum and Birmingham NEC.