Meet The Director
Hi Everyone!
My name's Jen and I'm a trained actor from Fife, Scotland. Having over 20 years experience teaching children in a variety of forms, from gymnastics coaching, to teaching drama, dance and singing, to leading children's birthday parties, I know that it's the most rewarding thing I can be doing with my life. Which is why I set out on an exciting new venture in April 2017. Inspire was born in London and after a year and a half I am extremely excited to be branching out in my home county, Fife, with brand new Drama, Dance, & Singing weekly workshops for 4-17 year olds, all centred around Child Development. For us here at Inspire, it's not about promising to turn your child into the next big A-list star... child development is at the heart of everything we do and our passion for developing our "4 Cs", Concentration, Communication, Coordination, and Confidence, shines through.
Our simple aim - to help children realise their full potential.
​​
​
"I have done quite a few different classes and groups with my children but this is without a doubt the most professional, well run and organised, by far. Jen is fantastic. She is enthusiastic, professional and my son adores her. She runs the class excellently. My son has had many more mature group leaders at other classes previously who do not command nearly as much respect. The classes are a great balance of discipline and fun and my son comes out completely engaged and enthused. It's a great end to his week and start to the weekend!"
Claudia, parent - Bushey, London
Meet The Team
Abbie Faskin - Head of Operations
Abbie is a Drama and Performance graduate of Queen Margaret University where she gained valuable experience in theatre facilitation and acting for the stage. She has a range of experience in leading theatre workshops for children and adults with additional support needs. She has assisted children with preparation for LAMDA drama examinations, as well as being qualified to Grade 8 herself. She has also recently taught children in Italy in English immersion summer camps, with a focus on language learning through games, song and activities. Abbie has been involved in theatre for as long as she can remember, being part of a youth theatre group throughout her time at school, performing in a range of theatre productions including Shakespeare comedies and improvised sketch shows. Being part of a youth theatre group had such a positive impact on Abbie growing up, therefore she is so excited to be able to recreate this experience for the children at Inspire.
"Cara absolutely LOVES the classes with you, Abbie. She literally talks about it all the time and can’t wait to get there each week - full of enthusiasm when she comes out. The teachers are fantastic and very engaging. Thank you also for the gorgeous T-shirt - Cara will be wearing this with pride. We feel very lucky she has this opportunity for such great teaching. How lucky we are to find you just down the road from us. Thank you!" Anna, parent - Edinburgh
Tiana Wilson - Head of Admin & Producer
Since her first performance as Jack in ‘Jack in the Beanstalk’ in primary school, Tiana has always known she wanted to be a performer. She participated in various musical theatre productions back home in Aberdeen before embarking on the journey to obtain her degree in Acting for Stage and Screen at Edinburgh Napier and Queen Margaret Universities. Since graduating in 2019, she has performed in the Edinburgh Fringe, been in a children’s radio drama, and played a prince in Howden Park Centre’s pantomime of ‘Cinderella’. She is looking forward to bringing her experience and abundance of excitement to classes to help children and young people develop as individuals.
"The team are absolutely fantastic & put time and effort into each and every child. I have noticed
a HUGE increase in my daughter's confidence since joining. This also carries into her everyday life, from speaking confidently with new people & having the confidence to hold an opinion strongly. Would highly recommend, she loves going & always has great fun."
Megan, parent - Kirkcaldy, Fife ​
Iona Wood - Teacher & Producer
Iona is a trained in actor from both Dundee and Angus College and Cumbria University. She has a love of working with children, children's theatre and entertainment, especially pantomime and being silly. She taught High school aged kids at her hometown's Theatre: Monifieth Amateur Dramatics, for many years and directed the a few pantomimes which had lots of youth group involvement. She finds so much joy in teaching the kids what she knows from doing youth group growing up and finding her confidence through her teachers. As someone who used to never speak, she found her voice through drama.
“Iona is a strong leader who has no problem in engaging and retaining young actors' attention. This has allowed her to get the most fantastic performances from our youth group at Monifieth Amateur Dramatics”
Chairperson, Monifieth Amateur Dramatics
Kaela Binnie - Teacher & Producer
Kaela is currently finishing her HND in Musical Theatre at Edinburgh College. Primarily having a
background in dance with 8 years of training she has developed a deep love for the artform that has flourished into her passion for musical theatre and performing. Kaela has experience performing in many dance shows, pantomimes and plenty musicals along the way, her favourite being playing Karen in her college’s production of SpongeBob the Musical. She has always had an urge to teach, with her peers encouraging her and parsing her on her positive, energetic teaching style. Kaela is really excited about her new journey here at Inspire and can’t wait to see what the future holds.
"Thank you so much. Penny has absolutely loved the last few weeks since joining the class, she asks most mornings if today is Saturday so she can go to her class!"
​
Chloe, parent - Corstorphine, Edinburgh
Zander Mistry - Teacher & Producer
Zander graduated from Edinburgh College last year with a BA in Dance and Drama. His experience of working with children ranges facilitating as an Arts Assistant at Cumbernauld Theatre, to teaching theatre skills and helping participants devise performances at Arts festivals. A keen performer and teacher, Zander is also a skilled wrestler, taught by the legendary Joe Hendry, TNA World Champion. What motivates and excites him most about working with children at Inspire is the opportunity to teach them important life skills in a super fun way!
"Zander is a conscientious, hardworking artist with a talent for drama and theatre. He has good people skills, especially when it comes to working with children and young people and I would have no hesitation in recommending Zander as an excellent fit for the Inspire team."
​
Mark McAvoy - Community Engagement Manager
Eilidh MacDougall - Teacher
As a student and Performer at Inspire for 3 years, Eilidh's confidence and performing skills have grown tremendously and now she is passing on these skills by giving back to the next generation just waiting to bloom. Eilidh has been working with diverse sections of society as an Alpaca handler and trek leader, which includes using the animals as therapy for all, from toddlers to elderly in care settings, as well as those of all ages with additional needs.
"Eilidh is a fantastic human with great potential who achieves every goal she set's out without fail! She is well mannered, polite and works beautifully with people of all ages!"
​
Claire - Claireville Alpacas
Jenni Whigham - Teacher & Producer
Jenni gained her Drama & Performance degree from Queen Margaret University in 2020. After finding her love for performing from a young age, from dance shows, to school musicals and even creating a theatre company at the age of 16 to bring a Christmas panto to her town. After the pandemic Jenni decided to return to the stage with Edinburgh's Bohemian's and is very excited to be bringing her passion and expertise to the Inspire team.​
"Each day Jenni brought joy and humour to work. Every child or party that came through our doors hung on her every word, always leaving with a raving review of her."
​
Colleague quote (Department of Magic)
Natalie Hardie - Teacher & Producer
Mum of two and drama enthusiast, Natalie studied Drama and Theatre Arts specialising in Community Theatre at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Having joined a youth theatre at the age of 6 and going on to study throughout school, Natalie ended up running her local youth theatre group for 12 years. From costume, to set design, to props, to directing, and to entering into the SCDA Competitions (bagging title of Scottish Champions!) Natalie knows this environment is where she belongs. Her favourite thing about teaching is creating a safe space where everyone can be their true self and let their inhibitions go. She also loves to watch their confidence grow week to week and seeing how far they can push themselves out of comfort zones.
“Natalie was our number one supporter and made sure we were always having fun. She
encouraged us to be expressive and use our imaginations whilst always prioritising that the work
we did was at a high standard and something we would all be proud of. Natalie was one of the best teachers I ever had the pleasure to work with – she made me feel I was important, and my input, thoughts and skills mattered. Some of my very favourite memories”.
- Laura Brodie Ex Youth Theatre Member
Roza Stevenson - Teacher & Producer
Roza developed a keen love of theatre at a young age attending drama classes just like Inspire, growing their passion for performing and leading them to later train at New College, Lanarkshire and Queen Margaret University before eventually starting their own theatre company. Throughout this time, Roza has worked with many theatre companies and drama schools across the central belt and found a passion for working with kids, teaching them confidence and growing their love of theatre too!
“Roza is a hugely creative and skilled theatre practitioner, with valuable experience in a huge range of on-stage and backstage skills, including performing, choreographing, writing and directing! They are a joyful presence in the rehearsal room and are always eager to jump in and get involved with creative projects.”
​
- Amber Docherty - Company Director of Happy Sad Productions
Teach With Us
Do you have a passion for teaching? A keen interest in Child Development? Are you a skilled performer passionate about helping children and young people realise their full potential?
We're always on the hunt for talented Performing Arts teachers to join on our team, so if you're interested in joining one of the fastest growing, well reputed children's drama schools in Scotland...
