DAVID WRIGHTAM - Principal and Artistic Director / Playwright / Actor  

Since his debut at the age of seven, David Wrightam has taken part in more than 650 plays, shows and musicals both amateur and professional.

He has taken most of the major roles in plays and musicals including Barnum, Singin’ In The Rain, 42nd Street, Hans Christian Anderson, West Side Story, Kiss Me Kate, Dancing Years, Annie, South Pacific, High Society, Carousel, Jesus Christ Superstar, Paint Your Wagon, Steppin’ Out, Anything Goes, Half A Sixpence, Oklahoma, My Fair Lady and The Sound Of Music.

He became a Director at the age of 18 and soon branched out into compering summer shows and musicals.  In 1980, he took the leading role in the film For Love Of Children, the story of Thomas Bowman Stephenson, who started the National Childrens Home.  His most played roles are that of Captain Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music, and his very favourite role Professor Higgings in My Fair Lady.

As a playwright, he has written 22 full length dramas and comedies, the first of which was presented at The Caxton Theatre Grimsby in 1984.  Added to this is the long list of shows and pantomimes that he has written for many groups and societies throughout the United Kingdom.  He has been comissioned to write for many companies, and in 2008 wrote the test pieces for the duologue section at the Hong Kong Drama Festival, one of the biggest in the world.

David started Class Act when he realised actors and actresses were not getting the training they needed to be successful.  He does not believe that a grade on a bit of paper can make someone an actor or director.  Apprenticeship starts in amateur theatre and not in a classroom.  His motto to all his students is "Your Mother thinks you’re wonderful .... I will tell you the truth".  Some of his best works have been presented by the company, with 19 premieres in just 7 years. David and his wife were invited to Buckingham Palace in 2007 to mark his services to the theatre.

HAYLEY WRIGHTAM - Choreographer, Class Act Dance Classes

Hayley attended the London Studio Centre for two years before working professionally for three years as Assistant Entertainments Manager and Choreographer for a well known holiday company.  She studied with Stephen Mears, the well known West End Choreographer.

She has travelled extensively in dance shows and musicals - including trying to dance upright on a Baltic Sea cruise during a force nine gale!

She has danced at the Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London and her credits include Oliver, 42nd Street, Half A Sixpence, Anything Goes, Annie, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Blood Brothers, Joseph, J.C. Superstar and dozens more. Her cabaret work number far too many to list here.

Very well known for abilities as a singer and choreographer, she has worked with many societies locally and nationally.

Offering the very best in Drama, Singing and Dance, Class Act offers the all round package for up and coming entertainers!  More classes are planned for 2011

ROBERT BISHOP - JUNIOR CLASS TUTOR

Rob joined Class Act on the very first day it opened at the age of 14. He has taken leading roles in all our productions up until 2009. He has been involved in all aspects of our productions.  The skills he has learned here made him the obvious choice to take our Junior Theatre aged 7-10 years.  When they are old enough to go up to the student class, they will be well prepared for the way we work and the discipline needed for a Class Act production. Rob has taken roles in various musical productions and was also one of the Class Act soldier extras in the block buster film Atonement.  He has raised huge amounts of money for the company and is also a Trustee on the board of The Class Act Charitable Trust.

THE CLASS ACT STAGE CREW

Class Act is blessed with a brilliant stage crew, backed up by our own older students.  Together, they have built some amazing sets and props.

Scenic Artist CAROL MUMBY has produced backcloths to put professionals to shame, and she’s a dab hand at turning a modern prop into an antique!

Staging wizards KEVIN MUMBY and ROGER BULLER always seem to solve the problems we throw at them and they always stay so calm which is very annoying!  When we are all running around with frustration, they usually have it fixed ...... mmmmmm ........  As our shows get more technical, these guys are really stretched to the limits

Stage Manager KAREN WEBSTER has the difficult job of making sure that everything and everyone is in the right place at the right time.  Not easy with a cast of up to 50!  Class Act productions usually have dozens of props and these too have to be sorted!

Lighting plays an important part in our productions and MATT BUSHELL has provided some briliant effects.  As all our productions are premieres, this means that Matt has a free hand to get his imagination going.

DAVID WRIGHTAM with the help of older students takes care of the sound.  An enormous amount of work goes into making sure that every word is heard on stage.  Class Act productions have long soundtracks accompanying the play, and many months are spent selecting and editing this music. A CD of our music is available.

Some of Class Act’s Wonderful Sets