Our team
core team
Beth Clay
Co-principal
Beth joined our team as a full-time teacher in September 2017, after graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in Theatre and Performance. She taught at Centrestage for two years before moving to complete a PGCE in Secondary English at Canterbury University, after which she returned to Centrestage. In 2021 Beth proudly became Co-Principal of the school.
ella Mcgrail
co-principal
Ella has been a part of Centrestage since she attended as a pupil. In 2012, Ella left us to obtain a BA(Hons) in Drama but returned from De Montfort University to join the team as a full-time teacher. In 2016, Ella achieved a Distinction in her PCertLam Level 3 in Speech and Drama Performance Studies. Ella has recently completed an MA in Shakespeare and Creativity (2019) and is now working towards a PhD in Shakespeare Studies. In 2021 Ella proudly became Co-Principal of the school.
faye stockley
Lead teacher
Faye has recently joined the team at Centrestage. She attended The University of Cumbria and graduated in 2022, completing her course with a 2:1 certificate in BA(Hons) Musical Theatre. Faye has performed in many musical productions, as a lead vocalist in festivals and on radio shows in and around Staffordshire and is now looking to further her career in the arts through many different styles and mediums of performance. She is extremely excited to share her passion for performing with students, and help them to find their own love for the arts.
Phoebe Benson
lead Teacher
Phoebe started Centrestage as a student where she performed in past Centrestage productions including ‘Living with Lady Macbeth’ and ‘Girls Like That’. She received a distinction in her LAMDA Diploma in Speech and Drama and has worked on several theatre shows, having recently directed and produced a show for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024. Other work includes, ‘The Tempest’ at the RSC Open Stage Event and project manager for ‘Lungs’ at The Willows Theatre. She joined the Centrestage team as a speech teacher and looks forward to supporting the students in developing their skillset.
simon garrington
Director (Part Time)
Simon has worked for Centrestage as both a teacher and director since 2013. He studied a Postgraduate Acting course at Drama Studio London (2013) and is now a professional actor, currently pursuing work in a variety of contexts. He recently played the titular role in Macbeth at the Sutton Coldfield Town Hall. Centrestage are really lucky to have Simon’s support when constructing our performances.
Faith melvin
assistant teacher
Faith has been a part of Centrestage since she attended as a student. After achieving distinctions in several LAMDA exams , Faith left us to study at East 15 Acting School in London, where she obtained a certificate of higher education in Theatre Arts. In 2023, Faith was cast as an actor for The London Dungeon, where she played a variety of characters. In October 2023, Faith joined the ScreamFest cast as a performer.
production staff
sam clay
IT / Production support (Part-Time)
Sam joined the Centrestage team as a lighting designer when he was 16 years old. He then went on to the University of South Wales and completed his BSc in Lighting Design and Technology before pursuing a career in the architectural lighting sector. You will often find Sam helping out with lighting and ticketing at our performances.
dan Mullany
Production support (Part-Time)
Dan has recently joined the Centrestage team as of 2021. Dan works as a Cardiographer at Good Hope Hospital but you will often find him helping out with ticketing and backstage at our performances.
The history of centrestage
rebekah o'dowd
centrestage founder
Rebekah completed her BA(Hons) in English/Drama and Theatre Studies at Royal Holloway College, University of London. She worked in numerous state schools as a secondary teacher of both English and Drama, including being head of Drama at King Edward VI Camp Hill School for five years before opening Centrestage School of Speech and Drama in Sutton Coldfield in January 2002. Rebekah retired from Centrestage in 2021.