meet the team
The teaching staff at Collective are all experienced industry professionals in their own right, ensuring they bring up-to-date industry knowledge to your training.
Paul Harvard
CEO & Founder
Paul began his career as actor-musician working on award-winning productions for the National Theatre, in the West End and for regional theatres. He has led courses and trained actors for twenty years, at a dozen of the leading conservatoires and universities in the UK – including Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Drama Centre, MetFilm, Identity, GSA, Mountview, Rose Bruford, Webber Douglas, LCM and the Urdang Academy.
His first play GHBoy, was produced in 2020 by his own production company at the Charing Cross Theatre. The play was conceived during a writers’ course at the National Theatre and developed following grants from the Arts Council.
He is the author of three books published by Nick Hern and his approaches to the teaching of acting through song are internationally recognised.
Paul founded Collective Acting Studio in 2022 to make our society and industry a fairer place – by providing access to the highest-quality training for actors from underrepresented groups.
walter meierjohann
programme leader – ba acting
Walter was the Artistic Director of NEUBAU, the international new writing line at the Staatsschauspiel Dresden, International Associate Director at the Young Vic Theatre, London and Artistic Director at HOME: Theatre in Manchester until 2019.
At HOME, Walter directed the inaugural production of The Funfair (Simon Stephens/Odon von Horvath), The Emperor (a coproduction between the Young Vic, HOME and Teatre de la Ville, Luxembourg with a revival at TFANA, New York) Uncle Vanya and the site specific production of Romeo and Juliet in The Victoria Baths (Manchester).
Since leaving HOME, Walter directed the light and sound installation Blindness at The Donmar Warehouse in 2020 which toured internationally for over 2 years. In 2021, Walter became a founding member and Director of the sound and light company, AURICLE.
Before joining HOME in 2013, Walter was International Associate Director at the Young Vic in London. There, his productions included the European premiere of In the Red and Brown Water by starring Ashley Walters, and Kafka’s Monkey, starring award-winning actress Kathryn Hunter. This acclaimed production toured worldwide to Sydney, Melbourne, Athens, Paris, Istanbul, Tokyo, Taipei and New York.
anthony vander
HEAD OF FILM AND TELEVISION
Anthony Vander is an award-winning filmmaker and producer. In 2023, Anthony was accepted as a full BAFTA member for his considerable contribution to the film industry.
Anthony’s work was featured during We Are Parable and the British Film Institute’s “WHO WE ARE” season in July 2020, which shined a light on Black British filmmakers in the UK.
His first short film, “Hooligan,” screened at The Short Film Corner at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012. In 2014, Anthony’s directorial debut feature film, “Sweetboy”, had its North American première at the American Black Film Festival and in 2017 aired on London Live television multiple times. His second short film, “Spar,” screened at festivals including S.O.U.L. Connect and the Miami Independent Film Festival, Anthony produced (and starred) in the feature film “Scales” (2020), which won him best supporting actor at the Los Angeles Film Awards 2018.
Anthony’s fifth short film, “Finale,” is currently playing at the BAFTA qualifying Aesthetica Film Festival 2021. Anthony is currently in post-production with the pilot episode of “Spar.” The television pilot will broadcast in late 2024.
sabrina richmond
senior acting tutor
Sabrina Richmond is a multidisciplinary artist – training as an actor in New York. She has a background in journalism, writes, directs and provides dramaturgy to developing playwrights. She has enjoyed various creative attachments for BBC London Voices (for screenwriting), Tamasha Theatre Playwrights, and The Young Vic / Headlong co-production of Best of Enemies by James Graham directed by Jeremy Herrin.
Directing credits include: Dolly (The Vaults); Whose Right is it anyway? (Southwark Playhouse); PDA (Theatro Technis); and Sea Legs (Arcola).
Writing credits include: Genetic Beauty (Virtual Collaborators); Hands Off My Womb! (Chapel Playhouse); A Black Story (Applecart Arts); An African in The Snow (Pleasance); and The Clock Wins (Sweet Tamarind). She was shortlisted for the inaugural writing award by UKTV and Triforce Entertainment.
Performer credits include: And the Girls in their Sunday Dresses (Arcola), The Subject (Theatre503), Long Walk From Home (Lyric Hammersmith) and A Prince (Southwark Playhouse).
NIALL WALKER
head of voice
Niall has a background in acting and has been a forum theatre facilitator with over a decades experience. He trained as a Voice Coach and Tutor at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Niall specialises in Vocal Health and Stability, Accents and Dialects, Vocal Power and Presence and Eloquence in speech. His credits include working with the David Glass Ensemble as a vocal consultant, where he was able to provide vocal warm up and vocal health support for their physically and vocally demanding tour of Bleak House which toured the UK Nationally.
“My approach to voice work is informed by my belief that every individual has the ability and right to speak and express themselves with eloquence, tact and dynamism.”
gail sixsmith
head of creative practice
Gail Sixsmith has been a professional performer in the industry since the late 80’s working for companies such as the RSC, Manchester Royal Exchange, Coventry Belgrade, Young Vic and the BBC.
She has trained 1000’s of performing arts students, leading workshops for the RSC and teaching at drama schools such as MetFilm, Identity, LCM and ArtsEd (where she was Head of Movement).
Prashant Tailor
head of participation
Prashant is a South-Asian theatre maker who lives for challenging what theatre is by definition, function and cultural association.
His working-class background influences both his cinematic-style of theatre-making and mission to increase participation, ultimately making staged productions competitive against TV series and movies. Training as a director under Young Vic, Tamasha Theatre Company, and Mercury Theatre, Prashant’s leadership competencies are complimented by his adept facilitation work in managing conflict and feedback (previously aiding the Learning and Development divisions of BlackRock and Goldman Sachs).
On top of corporate and community facilitation, Prashant’s industry credits include: GNR8 (Season 5, Amazon Audible), The Birds (Lyric Hammersmith) and Manfred (Birmingham Hippodrome/Theatro Technis).
Corry Raymond
director of photography
Corry is an international director and cinematographer with 10 years’ experience working in media, film and television production environments – both in the UK and America.
His work has been screened at festivals such as LA International, Aesthetica and the BFI as well as on networks such as Channel 4.
His most recent short film (2022) has qualified to be in the running for an Academy Award.
Segun Fawole
industry teacher
As a screen actor Segun has recently appeared in Sandman for Netflix and EasterEnders and Grime Kids for the BBC.
Segun has played leading roles in many West End shows including Loserville (Garrick Theatre), A Chorus Line (London Palladium) and Motown The Musical.
He has danced commercially with some of the biggest music artists in the country including Peter Andre, Cheryl Cole, Tinie Tempah and Alexandra Burke.
In recent years Segun has also worked in the music industry as both a Producer and Singer/Songwriter working with established and new artists on labels including Universal Music and Sony Records.
Bethany Taylor-Goh
industry liaison
Bethany Taylor-Goh is an award-winning writer, director, actor, and producer. She made her filmmaking debut with The Interview in 2024, which has won ten Best Short Film Awards at festivals including the Independent Shorts Awards in LA, the Paris Art and Movie Award Sessions, and the WildSound Feedback Film & Screenplay Festival. The film received a further ten nominations including finalist selections and honourable mentions at festivals including the LA Indie Short Festival and the London Women’s Film Festival.
Bethany also received the Best First-Time Filmmaker Award at the BAFTA-Cymru qualifying FFilmic festival, and the Best Female Director Award at the Budapest Short Cut Festival for ‘The Interview’.
She is currently in post-production for the pilot episode of ‘Feel Me’, which she produced, co-directed, and starred in.
Alex IGBANOI
Screen acting teacher
Alexis an award-winning director who’s recent film The Half you Hate won Best Director, Best Film and Best Ensemble Cast at the New York Lift-Off Film Festival 2022.
He started his career as an acting coach, teaching in some of the worlds leading drama schools. After noticing a shift, he took up the opportunity to champion people of colour by developing emerging actors in the industry.
After 10 years he pivoted into coaching and began directing shorts. He currently has many productions in development -including his first feature film, The 3 Sounds of Silence, which is currently in pre-production.
Aileen Gonsalves
acting teacher
Aileen has worked for over 25 years in film, theatre, television and radio as an actor, writer, director and dramaturge. She has worked extensively for nearly 20 years at the Royal Shakespeare Company as an actor and director as well as being a Leading Education Practitioner.
She is Founder and Artistic Director of Butterfly Theatre Collective which includes Butterfly Theatre. The company’s unique working approach – which enables truthful, authentic, responsive, moment to moment, acting – is called The Gonsalves Method. She teaches this globally and across universities and drama schools around the UK. Her book Shakespeare and Meisner for Bloomsbury/Arden, co-written with Dr Tracy Irish, outlines the method. She launched The Immersive Acting School this year with Hartson-Hook the creators of Immersive The Great Gatsby and Doctor Who.
Aileen is an Associate Director at Kali Theatre Company. She was also Head of the MA in Acting at Arts Ed – 2011-2015 and Head of Acting at Drama Studio London – 2018-19.
ALY SPIRO
industry teacher
Aly has been passionately involved in the creative industries all her working life, having worked as an actor, an educator and a casting director.
She enjoyed a successful and exciting career as an actor working across theatre, television, film and radio for many years – and is best known for playing Sarah Sugden in Emmerdale which she enjoyed for seven years.
She has worked at numerous drama schools including LAMDA, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Arts Educational and ALRA – where she was BA Acting Course Leader/ Senior Faculty Member for 6 years.
Aly is passionate about finding work for her graduating students – and has extraordinary industry connections that she brings to her mentorship of emerging artists.
AUNDREA FUDGE
VOICE AND DIALECT COACH
Aundrea Fudge is an accent/dialect and speech coach from New York. She completed her MFA in Voice Studies from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2018 and is currently based in London where she currently teaches and runs accent workshops for The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
Theatre includes: Slave Play (Noël Coward Theatre), Fear of 13; Skeleton Crew; Clyde’s (Donmar Warehouse), Reverberation; Choir Boy (Bristol Old Vic),The House Party (Chichester) , A Raisin in the Sun; A View From The Bridge (UK Tour/ Headlong), Hear in America; Red Speedo; Meetings; Yellowman (Orange Tree), Start Swimming! (Young Vic), The Enormous Crocodile; Once on this Island (Regents Park Open Air); Between Riverside and Crazy; Blackout Songs (Hampstead); Wish You Were Here; Bootycandy (Gate Theatre); Refilwe (Bernie Grant Arts Centre), Cinderella (Brixton House), Driving Miss Daisy (Barn Theatre) and Bring it on! The Musical (Southbank Centre).
Film includes:Bernard & The Genie; Locked In-Film and Wheel of Time.
TV includes: The Buccaneers (Season 2); Andor (Season 2)
gurkikan Kaur
VOICE AND DIALECT COACH
Gurkiran Kaur is a professionally trained actor, a certified authentic yoga teacher and a qualified voice and dialect coach from London. She has coached over 90 professional productions, serves as a Board Member for the Voice and Speech Trainers’ Association, and was the 2024 UK VASTA Symposium Co-Director. She was also an active Leadership team member for EduCore from 2021-2024. Gurkiran appreciates each unique requirement and therefore works flexibly and is adaptable.
Her credits include I’LL BURN THE OCEAN/FOR YOU (Talawa Theatre); Marriage Material (Lyric Hammersmith & Birmingham Rep); Millennium Girls (Brixton House); Ghoststories (High Tide Theatre); King Troll (Kali Theatre & New Diorama); A Tupperware of Ashes (National Theatre); Peanut Butter & Blueberries (Kiln Theatre); Dylan Mulvaney: FAGHAG (Soho Theatre);The Secret Garden. (Regents Park Open Air Theatre), Expendable, Dugsi Dayz (Royal Court), Re Pitch (Soho Place), Sweat, Great Expectations (Royal Exchange Manchester), The Buddha of Surburbia. Falkland Sounds, The Empress (The Royal Shakespeare Company), blackbird hour…, Wolves On Road, The Real Ones, The Cord, A Playlist For The Revolution, Paradise Now, The P Word, Favour, Red Pitch (Bush Theatre), This Much I Know, Lotus Beauty (Hampstead Theatre), The Enormous Crocodile: The Musical (Leeds Playhouse), I Wanna Be Yours (Melbourne Theatre Company), Anansi The Spider, Marvin’s Binoculars (Unicorn Theatre), I Wonder If…, Chasing Hares, Best of Enemies (Young Vic), A Dead Body In Taos (Fuel Theatre), Silence (Donmar Warehouse), The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (Simon Friend Entertainment), Henry VIII (Shakespeare’s Globe), Queens of Sheba (Soho Theatre), Extinct (Theatre Royal Stratford East), Good Karma Hospital (ITV & Tiger Aspect Productions) and Hotel Portofino (ITV, PBS & Eagle Eye).
colin waite
screenwriting Tutor
Colin Waitt is an educator with extensive professional experience as an actor, writer and producer. Colin has taught courses and masterclasses at London College of Music, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Identity School of Acting, School of Visual Arts (NYC) and the University of Florida (Gainesville).
Acting highlights include the Drama Desk Award-winning The Mysteries (The Flea; NYC), This Is Steve (TV pilot, Untethered Films; London), Pool Play (International Theatre Festival of Kerala, India), as well as content for Carmex and Houghton Mifflin.
His writing has screened internationally and will feature in the upcoming Short-Form Creative Writing: A Writer’s Guide and Anthology, due out in 2026. Let’s Get Weird debuted as a #1 new release on Amazon (US), and its works are licensed worldwide.
Colin produced the original sell-out run of Puffs, or: Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic, now one of the most licensed scripts in the United States.
darragh hand
patron
Darragh was a member of the original cast of For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy (for Nouveau Riche at New Diorama and the Royal Court and at the Apollo Theatre – for which he received an Olivier nomination.
His other work in theatre includes: Dear England at the National Theatre, L’amant Anonyme at Glyndebourne; Bangers for Cardboard Citizens and Soho Theatre, The Land of Lost Content at Pleasance and most recently playing the role of Marcus Rashford in Dear England at the National Theatre.
His work in television includes Heartstopper (Season 3) for Netflix, Grace for ITV, Silent Witness for the BBC and the upcoming How to Get to Heaven from Belfast for Netflix.
board of directors
jenna bonfiglio
chair of the board
Jenna is a strategic marketing and creative leader with over 12 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, primarily covering film and TV. She has worked alongside founder Paul since the inception of Collective.
Currently at Netflix with a focus on campaign creation for UK productions, Jenna’s previous roles include international marketing and publicity at Universal Pictures and Disney respectively. She is also a classically trained dancer with a background in performing arts.
Jenna is committed to creating opportunities and providing support for underrepresented communities, supplementing her professional work with voluntary coaching and mentoring for organisations such as Safer London and The Girls Network.
daniel bailey
equality, diversity, and inclusion advisor
Danny Bailey is a multidisciplinary artist, creative director, performer, and cultural curator whose work spans film,
performance, visual arts and writing.
He is a proud board member at Collective. His goal is to enhance inclusivity in actor-training, increase access to theatre for neighbouring communities, and innovate the purpose of art within our society.
Danny’s work in experimental filmmaking includes Black Exodus (V&A, the National Gallery of Art in
Washington DC) and Soft Bwoi (Tate Britain). Recent acting includes A Strange Loop (Barbican), Mr Loverman (BBC), The Dark is Rising with Complicité on BBC Sounds, and Get Up Stand Up at The Lyric Theatre.
Danny is currently working on two new plays: Pressure – shortlisted for the Tony Craze Award and Finding Olokun – recipient of the Queer Arts Fund.
Paul broughton
financial consultant
Paul is a strategic finance leader with over 15 years of global experience in media, entertainment, consumer products and gaming.
Paul began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers before enjoying various roles at NBCU, most recently as Vice President of Finance for Universal Pictures International. Paul is currently Global Strategy & Planning lead for Sony PlayStation.
Paul is passionate about growing access for underrepresented communities into acting, and has a particular interest in promoting this for people with disabilities. Paul has an understanding through the experiences of his sibling with cerebral palsy of the disparity of opportunity available for people with disability and is an advocate for change.
segun fawole
industry advisor
As a screen actor Segun has recently appeared in Sandman for Netflix and EasterEnders and Grime Kids for the BBC.
Segun has played leading roles in many West End shows including Loserville (Garrick Theatre), A Chorus Line (London Palladium) and Motown The Musical.
Segun has danced commercially with some of the biggest music artists in the country including Peter Andre, Cheryl Cole, Tinie Tempah and Alexandra Burke.
In recent years Segun has also worked in the music industry as both a Producer and Singer/Songwriter working with established and new artists on labels including Universal Music and Sony Records.
Annika Patel
legal counsel
As a UK qualified lawyer, Annika holds a deep interest in supporting the creative industries and has spent her career specialising in advertising and media law. Annika began her career as a business affairs legal advisor for Apple’s advertising agency, focussing on EMEA-wide tech marketing campaigns.
She was the primary legal counsel at Adam&Eve DDB, supporting the group’s growth within the Omnicom media network. Most recently Annika took on a role in the entertainment sector as sole legal counsel for Netflix UK and Nordic marketing, publicity and policy teams.
shamiso barnett
higher education advisor
Shamiso is currently the Head of the MBA Programme at University of Cambridge, where she manages the academic programme and curriculum development. She has over twenty years of experience in program management, academic administration, and student support services, and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in higher education management.
Previous roles include positions the Georgia Institute of Technology, for Anglia Ruskin University and for Hilton Worldwide.