Introducing new Performing Arts appointments

Introducing

Mr Chris Gould

Director of Drama and Dance

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Pupils can look forward to gaining an insight into conservatoire-standard training from a teacher who is passionate about performaning arts, with a broad range of vocational and academic experience - and there’ll plenty of fun, excitement and enrichment along the way!

Leading the Drama and Dance Faculty from September 2022, Chris’s wealth of experience in performing arts education and industry will enable him to continue the long tradition of exceptional quality and opportunity in performing arts at Downe House.

Guildford School of Acting-trained, Chris was always destined for a career in teaching and actor training. After training and performing as an actor for six years, he completed the School Direct Progamme at the University of Reading, under the tutelage of Professor Andy Kempe, before gaining his Master’s in Advanced Teaching of Shakespeare at the University of Warwick and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

He started his career as a freelance director and drama tutor at various independent stage schools and went on to study his formal teaching

qualification with a placement at King Alfred’s Academy in Wantage. After only a year, he was promoted to Dual Head of Drama, overseeing the creative aspects of the syllabus and Dramarelated co-curricular activities, before heading to the Theatre department at the prestigious Hurtwood House independent specialist performing arts school. Chris joins us hot-onthe-heels of his return from UAE, where he cofounded the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy (SPAA), the region’s first performing arts conservatoire - where he designed and wrote the BA Acting.

The stage is set for an exciting new chapter at Downe as, together with the Faculty staff, Chris will deliver our exceptional programme of academic and co-curricular Drama and Dance to benefit each and every pupil, including our outstanding production programme.

“I continually look to improve my own practice and develop subject knowledge - there is always more to learn and experience. The more I am inspired to learn, the more I can support each pupil to discover their potential, not just academically but personally and socially.”

-Mr Chris Gould, Director of Drama and Dance Downe House, Cold Ash, Berkshire RG18 9JJ T: +44(0)1635 200286 | www.downehouse.net

Introducing

Mr Rob Castell

Head of Drama Enrichment

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Teaching helps me refocus and consider the fundamentals of what I love doing myself. I genuinely love thinking about what the next generation can achieve and helping equip them to be the heroes of the future.

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Rob Castell will be joining our Drama and Dance faculty as Head of Drama Enrichment from September 2022, following a successful year with the School as Musical Theatre Director in Residence.

Rob’s career spans multiple disciplines in the performing arts and he brings an enormous amount of real-world experience in the industry to the role, as well as teaching expertise; from running performing arts programmes and establishing an award-winning acappella comedy theatre group, Barbershopera, to performing in the West End, on BBC Radio and appearing in the international Arena Tour of We Will Rock You. Rob is also an accomplished song writer, a composer of music for television (including a BAFTA nominated show for CBeebies and E4) and has penned his own stage musicals, including original works for the awardwinning theatre company Out of Chaos.

In what is a new position within the Faculty, Rob’s remit extends across the whole School community. He will be involved with the incredibly popular RADA and Trinity Speech and Drama provision within the School, as well as helping to further develop the Drama Scholars and Award Holders programme. Rob will also be offering advice and mentoring, as well as audition and application preparation for higher education pathways as well as productions.

Rob is keen to seek out opportunities for students to work with industry experts, as well as to experience live theatre, here in the UK and overseas, and to forge strong links with our alumnae community.

As well as leading the Drama enrichment programme for pupils at Downe House, Rob will be spearheading Drama outreach - part of the Experience Downe House programme for prep and primary schools – which will see him bringing his expertise and energy into schools around the country.

“I am really looking forward to making connections with people, schools and organisations. For me, that symbiosis is especially rewarding when you forge bonds with new people and see the fruits of those relationships grow over the years.” -Mr Rob Castell, Head of Drama Enrichment Downe House, Cold Ash, Berkshire RG18 9JJ T: +44(0)1635 200286 | www.downehouse.net