The Actors’ Workshop Bristol Team
Clara Marullo
Co-Director
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Clara founded The Actors’ Workshop eighteen years ago, building it into a nationally known centre of excellence: getting over 80% of students into BA/MA courses at accredited drama schools every year. A hugely experienced voice specialist and acting tutor, she has mentored generations of young performers across both acting and musical theatre.
Clara received a degree in English Literature from Oxford University, then trained for three years post-grad as a singer at the Royal Academy of Music. She started out in opera, playing principal roles for Welsh National Opera (all over the UK, at the Royal Opera House, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Teatro Lirico, Milan) and at Glyndebourne Festival opera before moving into musical theatre. Roles include Fantine in Les Mis, Emma in the world premiere of Orphans and Jenny Lind in Barnum (West End, UK and international tours). Clara subsequently married an American and lived in New York for ten years, where she focused on classical/contemporary theatre. She worked as a cabaret artist in the UK, USA and Japan. Clara has various TV roles, commercials and voiceovers to her credit, both in the USA and the UK.
An Estill-trained singing teacher, Clara has years of experience training both singers and actors. Many of her students have gone on to do principal roles in the West End and several have been Sondheim Award finalists. In 2024, Clara was the vocal director for BSA’s highly acclaimed production of Piaf.
This expertise also extends to voice work and (combined with her literary training) manifests in a particular affinity for language –especially classical verse.
Over the years, Clara has written and directed numerous plays and musicals for children; these range from adaptations of Shakespeare to original work. She is currently working on rewrites of Shooting Icebergs - a new play for The Actors’ Playground theatre company, which Clara founded in 2019 as a means for seasoned pros and emerging actors to collaborate in the creation of new work.
Always seeking to expand her understanding of acting and theatre-making, Clara travelled to India in 2019 to participate in the Adishakti Theatre Laboratory’s ‘Source of Performance Energy’ training for actors.
Jennifer Higham (Winter)
Co-Director
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Jen is a force of nature! As well as an impressive CV as an actor, Jen is also a qualified and experienced dancer and dance teacher.
In addition to her new leadership role, which will enhance and renew everything we do, Jen teaches acting and movement at The Actors’ Workshop; since joining the team six years ago, she has taken our physical work to new levels and has encouraged a wonderful sense of exploration and play in our students. Married to Dan Winter, Jen brings us a sharp eye, wonderful skills as a director and choreographer - and her amazing energy!
Jen got a place at RADA straight out of school but was unable to go because she was working with David Tennant in The Pillowman at the National Theatre. RADA – uncharacteristically – deferred her place…but the following year, Jen was cast as Olive in Ella Enchanted. (Miramax 2004.) So she kept working and learning on the job.Theatre includes Juliet at the Rose Theatre, Swallows and Amazons (Titty) at Bristol Old Vic, Viola for GB Theatre Company, Viola and Juliet for Actors From The London Stage; Winter,Three Farces, Alison’s House and The Woman Hater at the Orange Tree Theatre and Rope at the Watermill.
Jen has appeared extensively in film and television, including Crooked House as Ruth (2 episodes), Cassandra's Dream as Helen, Doctors, Persuasion as Louisa Musgrove, Born and Bred as Amy Marl, Gideon's Daughter as Girl playing Richard III, The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies and I Shouldn't Be Alive as Jennifer.
Jen has cast and directed for Actors From the London Stage, for whom she has also taught extensively on BA and MA programmes at US universities. She was a core member of staff at Jackie Palmer Stage School for several years.
Jen started her own online dance/fitness programme at the start of the pandemic, which has become immensely popular, with people participating from all over the country.
Our Board of Trustees
Bryn Holding - Chair
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Bryngraduatedfrom LIPA in 2008 with a first class degree in acting and has had a career first as an actor and now as a theatre director.
Acting credits include work with the RSC, New Vic, Royal Exchange, Derby Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Theatre By The lake, Tobacco Factory/Myrtle Theatre Co, York Theatre Royal/Pilot Theatre Co, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Liverpool Everyman.
Bryn is associate director of Hammerpuzzle Theatre Co, Associate Artist for the Theatre Royal Bath and was resident Assistant Director at the New Vic Theatre (2016-2017).
Bryn regularly works as a guest acting lecturer. He recently led the Adult Theatre School for the Theatre Royal Bath's Engage Programme and is a guest director at The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire where he currently teaches on the MA/MFA in Acting. Bryn is also an AHRC funded PhD researcher focusing Shakespeare and Breath: repositioning breath as a consciously creative tool in the contemporary performance of Shakespeare
Anne Odeke
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Anne is a writer, actor and qualified secondary school drama teacher. Her play Princess Essex (in which she also starred) ran at the Globe Theatre in Summer 2024, landing WhatsOnStage Award nominations for Best New Play and Best Performer in a Play.
Anne trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Anne’s credits as an actor include: The Winter’s Tale (RSC); Misfits (Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch); The Comedy of Errors, The Merry Wives of Windsor; Bartholomew Fair (Shakespeare’s Globe); Women in Power (Nuffield Theatre); The Secret Keeper (Oval House); Julius Caesar (Storyhouse); Winnie; Wilbur (Birmingham Rep)
As a writer, Anne as was last year chosen to represent Essex in Radio 4 ‘United Kingdoms’. She has written an adaptation of Little Women set in WW1 for Storyhouse Chester. Anne has recently been commissioned by to write a new play for Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, in honour of the Windrush Generation and their experiences of arriving and living in Essex.
Anne is a force of nature: a hugely talented, dynamic creative and a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion.
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Sian Fisher has recently retired as CEO of the Chartered Insurance Institute. Leading the professional standards body for insurance since February 2016 follows a distinguished career in the sector, which has included senior roles at a Lloyd’s Syndicate, a UK and European insurance company, a market leading MGA, a major international broker and US corporate. Sian has also run her own start-up intermediary and was part of the creation of the Managing General Agents’ Association.
A graduate of Oxford University with an Exec MBA from Harvard, Sian is a strong advocate for equality. She is a founding member and Executive Chair of the Insuring Women’s Futures initiative and a Committee Member of the Insurance Supper Club.
Ms. Fisher is also a Non-Executive Director at Asta Underwriting Management and Vice President of the Insurance Institute of London.
Having come from a working class background, Sian is passionate about empowering all young people to achieve their dreams. Her deep love of theatre and film, plus her business expertise make her a hugely valuable member of our board.
Sian Fisher
Stephen Loach
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Stephen is a solicitor specialising in civil litigation and personal injury, acting for individuals who have suffered life-changing injuries as a result of accidents at work and in their personal lives. As a leader of a team of solicitors, he has responsibility for ensuring compliance with regulatory and professional standards and for the delivery of an empathetic, supportive and high quality legal service.
With personal connections in the entertainment industry, Stephen also has experience of working on screenplays for BBC drama and for independent films.
His deep sense of justice and equality, love of the arts, legal understanding and fine eye for detail make him an excellent Trustee.
Our Tutors
Noah Marullo -
Associate Director
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Noah grew up with The Actors’ Workshop and then trained at Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2021. He is now Artistic Director of Grub Street Theatre - an innovative and exciting company based in South London, for whom he recently directed the premiere of Harmony, by Sam Thorpe-Spinks.
As a child Noah played Gus in Tracy Beaker Returns & The Dumping Ground, BBC; Billy in Free Agents (dir. James Griffiths), Channel 4 and Shy Boy in Last Chance Harvey (dir. Joel Hopkins), Overture Films.
Roles at Guildhall include: Matt in Mr Burns, A Post-Electric Play (dir. Chelsea Walker), Elia/Plague Doctor in All Your Houses (dir. Barrel Organ), Company in Pod (dir. Jamie Bradley & Vicki Igbokwe), Ivan in Barbarians (dir. Oliver Dimsdale & Victoria Moseley) and Bring Me the Head of Alfio Marullo (written/dir. Noah Marullo)
Noah played Algernon in The Importance of Being Earnest and Cassio in Othello for Changeling Theatre in 2022. He toured with The Duke’s Theatre Company, playing Malvolio in Twelfth Night.
Recent theatre work includes The Time Machine for Original Theatre (Park Theatre, London, and national tour) which was nominated for an Olivier Award, Wristwatch/Fallen Angel in The Nethernauts.
Noah will appear in the upcoming BBC TV drama Babies.
Dan Winter
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Dan joined The Actors’ Workshop eight years ago. He is a fantastic and energetic tutor whose dynamic and truthful approach to text and character, combined with an emphasis on play and a positive, empowering personality makes him a huge favourite with the students.
Dan trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Theatre includes: Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night, Macbeth (Actors From The London Stage), Comedy Of Errors, Richard II, Uncle Vanya, Antony & Cleopatra, Julius Caesar, Pericles, Three Sisters, Macbeth, The Changeling, Troilus and Cressida, As You Like It (Shakespeare At The Tobacco Factory) I Remember Green, Rabbit Ears, Pavement (Theatre West), Henry V (Theatre Boudin), Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (RNT), A Doll’s House (SWAN), Treasure Island, Five Sides of a Circle, Circus (Tobacco Factory), Trade It! (SOS), The Tempest (New Wolsey Theatre), As You Like It (Arundel), Oedipus (Tour), Othello (Wycombe Swan), Black/White, Have A Go Hero, Pericles, Oh What A Lovely War (Bristol Old Vic).
TV, Film and Radio includes: Frankie (BBC), The Story Of Tracy Beaker (CBBC), The Great Escape (ITV), Breaking the Chains (BBC), The Quest for Infinity (Green Umbrella), When We Were Heroes (Suited & Booted) Crisis, Zauberjackl, The Tinner’s Corpse, Dixon of Dock Green, I Left My Heart in 1960! (Radio 4).
An experienced and dynamic tutor, Dan has taught both BTEC and Foundation Diplomas at The Big Act, is the head of acting at the Bath Academy of Musical Theatre (foundation course) and has worked in education outreach for Shakespeare At The Tobacco Factory and The Watermill in Newbury. As a member of Actors From The London Stage, Dan has taught extensively at universities in the USA – both on BA and MA programmes – and has run Shakespeare workshops in federal prisons.
Andy Cryer
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A Yorkshireman by birth, Andy was our first hire: he joined The Actors’ Workshop teaching team in 2006 and has been with us ever since. Andy studied at Harrogate College of Arts and Guildhall School of Music & Drama. He has been a professional Actor for over 30 years, performing seasons for the RSC, The Globe, National Theatre, Royal Court & the country’s leading Repertory Theatres. He has worked regularly in Film, TV & Radio.
Andy has been associated with Northern Broadsides Theatre Company for most of their 25 Year history. Starting as a young actor playing the role of Puck in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, to becoming an Associate Artist & working as Assistant Director alongside Barrie Rutter (founder & Artistic Director) and with Conrad Nelson (Associate Director). Andy was part of the company’s award-winning production of ‘Othello’. A joint production with the West Yorkshire Playhouse, starring Lenny Henry in the title role. The production toured nationally before transferring to the West End.
Other career highlights include playing the role of Eric Morecambe in the National tour of the Olivier award winning best comedy ‘The Play What I Wrote’. Playing Caesar in ‘Antony & Cleopatra’ at the International Theatre of Ideas in the USA, as well as a Royal Performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ in Thailand. Andy has worked regularly at his hometown theatre in Scarborough, The Stephen Joseph Theatre. He has been part of Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s Company performing in Alan’s revivals of ‘Season’s Greetings’ & ‘Henceforward’ and the World Premieres of ‘The Karaoke Theatre Company’, ‘Consuming Passions’ & ‘The Divide’.
Andy is currently a part-time lecturer at Leeds College of Music teaching on the BA Acting and BA Actor/Musicianship courses.
In addition to his ongoing work at The Actors’ Workshop over the past fifteen years, Andy worked closely with the Education Department during his time with the RSC and was responsible for devising and running workshops for many of Northern Broadsides productions. text goes here
Gerard Logan
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With his deep knowledge of the craft of acting in general and playing Shakespeare in particular, Gerard is an incredible asset. A passionate and gifted teacher who freelances everywhere from RADA to Tring Park, he takes our students’ work to the next level in every lesson.
Gerard trained at RADA where he won the Bancroft Gold Medal.
Credits include: leading roles in tv, film, radio and classical and contemporary theatre roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company (where he received an Olivier Award nomination), the National Theatre, in the West End, with numerous leading provincial theatres and in film, TV and radio.
Gerard won The Stage Newspaper’s Best Solo Performer Award at the 2011 Edinburgh Festival for his performance in Shakespeare’s great narrative poem The Rape of Lucrece which, alongside Wilde Without the Boy and The Ballad of Reading Gaol he is currently touring internationally. He recently won the Best Actor award at the 2014 Buxton Fringe Theatre Festival for his performance in Wilde Without the Boy. text goes here
Tom Sherman
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Tom Sherman received a degree from Aberystwyth University before going on to train as an actor at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Tom’s early career was spent in musicals at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre appearing in four successive productions during his university career. He then embarked on a rich and varied work life including two Christmas seasons at the Stephen Joseph Theatre under the direction of Sir Alan Ayckbourn and appearing in seven seasons with Andrew Hilton’s Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory. He has also appeared in productions at The Bike Shed Theatre, The Ustinov, Bristol Old Vic, Theatr Clwyd and on national and schools’ tours. He has performed in many radio dramas and provided voice over for BBC Radio 3 and 4 and Channel 4.
Tom has written, directed and produced shows for young audiences from early years performances to pantomimes for his own company – Creaking Door Productions.
Tom went back to school becoming a qualified teacher and getting a MA in Professional Theatre Practice from Staffordshire University. He is course leader in Performing and Production Arts at Wiltshire Creative (Salisbury Playhouse, Salisbury Arts Centre and Salisbury International Arts Festival) and directs Shakespeare text projects at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. text goes here
Simeon Wynne
Teen Group and Outreach
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Another alumnus of The Actors’ Workshop, Simeon grew up in Hartcliffe, Bristol. He graduated from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2023.
Credits include Sanditon (ITV/PBS) Radio 6 Music Festival and the recent national tour of Clueless, playing Miles.
Simeon is a passionate teacher with a mission to empower young people from less advantaged backgrounds to reach for the stars.
Alice Barclay
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Over the past 25 years Alice has worked as an actor for numerous theatres & companies including the RSC, the National Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, the Orange Tree, Salisbury Playhouse, the Newbury Watermill, Finborough, Trestle, Battersea Arts Centre, Eastern Angles, Theatre West, Forest Forge, Kilter, Roustabout & Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory.
She has often been part of developing new writing or new ways of performing Classical work, most recently at the Bristol Old Vic for Headlong & in the past at the NT studio, the RSC, Theatre West, Soho Theatre & Exeter Bikeshed amongst others. She was an original cast member & part of the R&D process for War Horse (NT & West End) & The Grinning Man (Bristol Old Vic & West End).
She recently appeared in the ITV dramas A Spy Among Friends & The Long Call; other TV work includes Emmerdale, Doctors & Casualty.
Alice is a founding member of Live Canon, a live poetry theatre company who she regularly works with in London & across the UK. She has recorded several audio CDs for Live Canon as well as nearly 20 audio books for the Calibre Audio Library.
As a theatre practitioner & teacher she worked for many years at Shakespeare’s Globe leading workshops, facilitating theatre work in schools & directing teachers & students in Shakespeare’s plays. She has also been part of RSC education events, the NYT & is a frequent facilitator for Tender Arts & Education in the South West.
She has led courses for young people at the Tobacco Factory & Bristol Old Vic as well as leading term-long programmes for the Bristol Old Vic adult company & the Engage programme at Theatre Royal Bath.
Alice is a qualified Iyengar Yoga Teacher & teaches classes online & at the Yogaloft in Bristol.
Carys Daniels
LGBTQIA+ and Safe Space Lead.
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Carys is a professional actress with several credits to her name, who will begin a Master’s degree at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in September.
She has worked in both television and feature film and is set to tour the UK in a theatre production this summer.
Carys is the founder of the Safe Space Bristol/UK movement and is passionate about increasing opportunities for LGBTQ actors. She is committed to creating inclusive, supportive spaces where all performers can thrive.