Midsummer Conservatory Program

Faculty

The BADA faculty is comprised of many distinguished actors, directors, and leading teachers from Britain's foremost drama schools. The faculty members have included:

Christopher Cook

(Dean)
(Theatre and Culture)
Is a broadcaster and journalist who has written, presented and produced many arts, feature and documentary programmes for BBC Radios 2, 3 and 4 and the BBC’s World Service, including Kaleidoscope, Critics Film, Third Ear, Third Opinion, Night Waves, Fine Lines and Meridian. He has researched, directed and produced documentary programmes for television in the UK including Cameron’s Country, The Philpott File and Yesterday’s Witness, for the BBC and The Writing on the Wall for Channel
   

Norman Ayrton

(Theatre History)
Was Dean of Bada 1985-96. He was assistant Principal of LAMDA from 1954-66 and principal 1966-72. On the Faculty of the Juilliard School in New York 1974-85. He has worked extensively as a Director and Teacher in Australia and throughout the United States, and as a guest Director at many international Universities and Festivals. He was director of Opera at the Royal Academy of Music in London 1986-90. Appointed Hon RAM in 1989.
   

Marcelle Davies

(Movement)
Marcelle initially worked as a Drama Teacher and also as a clown with the Raree Show. After mainstream teaching, Marcelle worked as an actress on the London Fringe with Trickster Theatre Company. She has also taught at Syracuse University and the London Center for Theatre Studies. She is currently the movement tutor at the Poor School.
   

Mick Barnfather

(Physical Acting)

Is a key member of Theatre de Complicité, Trained with Desmond Jones, Philippe Gaulier and Monika Pagneux. For the Theatre de Complicité he has perfomed in Light, The Chairs, The Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol, The Visit, Please, Please, Please and Food Stuff. He has worked with Toucan Theatre Company, directed plays for the Hot House Theatre and appeared many times on television.
   

Catherine Livesey

(Contemporary and Modern Theatre)
Catherine is a graduate of Cambridge University. She was awarded the Ben Travers Scholarship and a Cripplegate Scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Whilst there she won Best Supporting Actress Award at the National Student Drama Festival for whom she later became a selector. For four years she was Chairman of The National Independent Schools' Drama Association and is currently Head of Drama at Wycombe Abbey School.
   

Jessica Higgs

(Voice)
studied at Central School of Speech and Drama prior to working as a freelance Voice Teacher. She has worked on many productions in London and elsewhere including the musical "Mamma Mia". She has taught at Mountview Theatre School, Middlesex University and Rose Bruford College and has directed a number of productions for Tandem Theatre Company.