OUR TEAM.
Theatre College of Scotland prides itself on having top of the range industry professional faculty members, state of the art facilities and in-depth courses to make sure our graduates are well equipped and ready for industry.
REECE DONNELLY
PRINCIPAL & HEAD OF ACTING
Reece Donnelly, has been in the industry since the age of 6 securing a TV role with CBBC, it has been a constant journey since then working professionally on projects like:
Carrie & Davids Popshop(CBBC), Waterloo Road (BBC), Citizens Theatre, Pavilion Theatre, Happy Days UK Tour (Scottish Leg), T-Mobile (Commercial) - Reece also has a background as a voice over artist for clients such as NHS & Nickelodeon.
In addition, Reece’s work as an actor has seen him do various community drama projects with the organisations such as Barlinne Prison in partnership with The Citizens Theatre and Kibble Secure Centre in partnership with West College Scotland.
Reece obtained a BA(Hons) in Drama from the University of Sunderland - he was awarded the James McAvoy scholarship at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in 2014 . However, the passion for Reece was in teaching, directing and growing new talent in Scotland.
The balance between professional training and having fun is something which is mastered completely at Theatre School of Scotland. Furthermore, Reece is also a successful director and senior talent agent of sister companyKR Management. In recent years Reece has taken students and clients from acting beginners to landing lead roles on BBC, CBBC and Netflix and many more.
CHARLOTTE FORBES
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
Charlotte is originally from Glasgow and has been a professional performer and educator for over 10 years. She holds a BA (hons) Degree in Theatre from Guildford School of Acting and a Post Graduate Diploma in Musical Theatre from the Royal Academy of Music and is also a Licentiate of the Royal Academy of Music specialising in teaching musical theatre voice.
Charlotte’s performance credits include multiple contracts with Royal Caribbean cruise lines, Soloist, BBC Radio 2 Friday night is music night, Petra “A little night music”, musical, Momma, “Little me”, musical, Actress, Secrets of Selfridges, PBS Television, Dick, Dick Whittington, pantomime 2016 &’17, Killer Queen, “We Will Rock You”, musical 2015 &’18, Wicked Stepsister, “Cinderella”, pantomime 2021.
Alongside her performing career, Charlotte has always had a passion for teaching. Between touring and performing she has often taken on teaching within stage schools, one-to-one private tuition, and guest lecturing for performing arts colleges. Additionally, she is experienced in choreographing, and directing full scale concerts and musicals. Charlotte spent the last two years teaching performing arts in Dubai where she developed and launched the first BTEC in Performing Arts in the region.
Charlotte is delighted to be joining the team at TCOS and is looking forward to sharing her passion for the performing arts with our talented students.
LAURA SOMMERVILLE
ACTING LECTURER
Originally from Kilmarnock, Laura trained at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts,
graduating with a BA (Hons) in Acting. With over 15 years’ experience in performing arts education,
she previously ran a successful performing arts school in Essex, supporting students into professional work, agency representation and leading UK drama schools.
Laura holds an Associate Diploma in Performing Arts Teaching and an MSc in Psychology with Distinction.
Passionate about combining professional training, education and wellbeing, she focuses on developing confident,
resilient performers equipped for sustainable creative careers. Laura is delighted to return home to Scotland and join the TSOS team.
ROSS RUSSELL
DANCE LECTURER
Ross Russell is an accomplished performer, choreographer, and educator, holding a BA (Hons) Degree in Musical Theatre from Arts Education Schools London. His professional career spans West End productions, UK and international tours, cruise ships, TV and film, with credits including Mamma Mia!, Kiss Me, Kate, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Alongside performing, Ross has held a range of leadership and creative roles within the performing arts and education sector, allowing him to bring strong creative direction, professional standards, and current industry insight into his teaching and collaborative work.
RYAN MCKAY
MOVEMENT & ACTING FOR CAMERA
Ryan J Mackay is a Scottish actor and lecturer at Theatre College of Scotland, bringing extensive professional experience across theatre, television and film into his teaching practice. Ryan trained in Acting and Performance at New College Lanarkshire and was selected for Frantic Assembly’s Ignition Company in 2016. Glasgow Acting Academy
His professional theatre credits include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre in London’s West End, Kidnapped with the National Theatre of Scotland, Water Colour at Pitlochry Festival Theatre and the Byre Theatre, Ignition with Frantic Assembly, and work with the Citizens Theatre and Royal Lyceum Theatre. National Theatre of Scotland
Ryan has also developed a strong screen career, with television credits including Lockerbie: The Bombing of Pan Am 103, Shetland and Casualty. National Theatre of Scotland His professional profile with The BWH Agency also features his screen and theatre work, showreel and professional credits. The BWH Agency
Alongside his work as a professional actor, Ryan brings his current industry experience into the training environment at Theatre College of Scotland, supporting emerging performers in developing their acting technique, confidence, professional discipline and understanding of the contemporary stage and screen industries. His experience working across major theatre companies, West End productions and television enables him to provide students with practical, industry-informed training as they prepare to begin their own professional careers. professional discipline and understanding of the contemporary stage and screen industries. His experience working across major theatre companies, West End productions and television enables him to provide students with practical, industry-informed training as they prepare to begin their own professional careers.
JENNY DOUGLAS
MUSICAL THEATRE LECTURER
Jenny has been working professionally in the performaning arts world since the age of eighteen with her appearance on the BBC/ Andrew Lloyd Webbers “Over The Rainbow” she has toured the internationally with the musical “We Will Rock You” and recently appeared in her first feature film “The Lost King”
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Alongside her career Jenny has taught with esteemed vocal and acting tutors in Scotland. Jennys’ ethos for educating young people who are pursuing the performing arts comes from her passion of creating and devising theatre which motivates, inspires and excites young performers.
Jenny studied her masters degree in Musical Theatre at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and is thrilled to be teaching the talented students of the Theatre College of Scotland
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LISA COOK
BALLET & TAP LECTURER
Lisa Cook, PGCE RAD RTS LISTD
Lisa Cook trained at Doreen Bird’s Performing Arts and went on to enjoy a professional career as a Musical Theatre performer, working extensively throughout the UK and internationally.
Her performance career includes highlights, including performing at the Jubilee Performance at Buckingham Palace alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber, appearing in The Styne Way at the London Palladium, and working alongside acclaimed performers including Tommy Tune, Chita Rivera, Bea Arthur and Rita Moreno.
Lisa has also recorded on a variety of albums at Abbey Road Studios, collaborating with artists including Gary Barlow and Alfie Boe.
Alongside her professional performing career, Lisa has always maintained a strong passion for teaching. Throughout her career, she has continually developed her teaching practice and academic qualifications. Lisa studied at the University of Portsmouth, where she gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGE), further strengthening her expertise as an educator.
Lisa also holds Licentiate status with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and is qualified to teach Classical Ballet, Tap Dance and Modern Theatre.
She has taught at numerous stage schools, colleges and educational institutions across London and throughout the UK. Now based in Glasgow, Lisa continues to share her extensive industry knowledge and practical experience with aspiring Musical Theatre performers.
DARREN WEBSTER
VOCAL COACH
Darren is a Glasgow based Musical Director, Arranger and Typesetter.
Darren graduated from the University of the West of Scotland with a BA in Musical Theatre. As a specialist vocal coach Darren has an in depth understanding of the vocal instrument having studied Estill level 1 and 2. Darren is also a qualified Vocal Health First Aider.
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As well as his formal qualifications, Darren has a wealth of experience working in the musical theatre industry as a Teacher, Musical Director and arranger. Darren has worked on a broad range of shows including professional productions, college productions and amateur theatre.
MIA DAYE
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TUTOR
Born and raised in Glasgow, Mia began her training at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on the James Macavoy Scholarship before continuing her Musical Theatre training at NCLAN. She later moved to London to study Acting for Stage and Screen in Guildford.
After completing her training, Mia joined a leading UK talent agency as a junior agent. Over the years, she progressed into the senior management team, gaining extensive experience across all areas of talent representation, including theatre, television, film, cruise, and commercial contracts.
Her clients' credits include Beetlejuice (West End), Mamma Mia! The Party, BBC TV show Strike, as well as a wide range of cruise productions and commercial campaigns. Alongside this, Mia worked within the agency's commercial department, expanding her knowledge and expertise in commercial representation.
More recently, Mia has also worked in casting for commercial and social media advertising campaign, broadening her expertise within the industry.
Mia is passionate about building a strong roster of dedicated performers and believes in developing long-term partnerships founded on trust and collaboration. Her approach is supportive, honest, and tailored to helping each client achieve their individual career goals.
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KATIE RUTHERFORD TAYLOR
IN HOUSE TALENT AGENT
Katie is the company manager of KR Management, a sister company to The Theatre School and Theatre College of Scotland. Reece and herself work constantly together to ensure kids are being represented fairly and being seen by casting directors throughout the UK and internationally.
Katie has trained in both Drama and Dance from a young age, as a teenager she trained at some of Scotland’s top institutions including RCS and then went onto achieve her BA Hons Drama and Dance from the University of Cumbria. Katie has experience throughout the industry as a young performer and has just recently finished her first Professional Musical Theatre Tour with a Scottish Production company as a 2017 Graduate.
Katie is extremely passionate about Scottish Children being opened to bigger opportunities in the industry, she is thrilled that KR Management and TCOS have joined to create a strong platform for the individuals we represent.
STEPHEN ASHFIELD
VOCAL COACH
Scottish actor and musician Stephen Ashfield trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the Royal Academy of Music, London.
In recent years, Stephen’s stand-out performance as Elder McKinley in The Book of Mormon in the West End and on Broadway has won him a WhatsOnStage and an Olivier Award. In 2019, Stephen created the role of Hamish McLarnon in Becoming Nancy at CocaCola Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, which he is reprising this October 2024, at the Birmingham Rep for its UK debut.
For ten (long and somewhat uncomfortable!) years his posterior adorned many London buses and tube posters as Bob Gaudio in the original London cast of Jersey Boys.
Other theatre credits include: Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre), Casey O’Brien in Boy Meets Boy (Jermyn Street Theatre) Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered (Jermyn Street Theatre), creating the leading role of Adam in Imagine This (Theatre Royal Plymouth), John in Tomorrow Morning (New End Theatre, London), Nick Piazza in Fame (Aldwych), George in new musical Ha’penny Bridge (The Point, Dublin), Basilio in The Marriage of Figaro (Drill Hall, London), Boy George in Taboo (West End and UK Tour).
TV: Lawrence in The Devil’s Hour, Philip Worth in Call the Midwife. Appearances with Jersey Boys include This Morning, GMTV, Loose Women, Paul O!Grady, Strictly ComeDancing, Alan Titchmarsh, The 80th Royal Variety Performance, and Tonight!s the Night.
Film: Tim Burton!s Sweeney Todd, Angelina Jolie’s Maria
Radio: Incredible Women with Rebecca Front and Joanna Lumley (BBCRadio4), Elaine Paige on Sunday.
Cast Recordings: Ha!penny Bridge, Tomorrow Morning and Jersey Boys.
