Kieran Vyas
Artistic Director
Kieran is an award-winning director, acting coach and filmmaker. With roots in acting, he has performed internationally in theatre, film and TV and is a previous Triforce Monologue Slam Champion. As well as producing his own award-winning films, Kieran has worked with prestigious production companies, theatre companies and theatres, renowned drama schools, the BBC, The Actors Centre and many others. He is also a member of the audition panel for Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Kieran has spent many years working closely with drama schools including ALRA, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama, teaching on BA and MA acting courses, directing, and sitting on audition panels. Actors who have trained with Kieran have performed roles for West End theatres, the BBC, Channel 4, Netflix and more.
The arts have the incomparable power to transform young people’s lives and it’s that reward that Kieran has a burning passion for. He constantly strives to inspire others whether that’s to become a professional working actor or simply to find their voice.
Katie Burchett
Executive Director
Katie trained as an actor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Since graduating in 2013 she’s worked primarily on the stage, and has been lucky enough to tour both nationally and internationally. Her theatre credits include Hypatia in ‘Misalliance’, Ellie Dunn in ‘Heartbreak House’ (Shaw’s Corner), Aurora in ‘How to Catch a Star’ (Blunderbus Children’s Theatre Company, UK and Singapore tour), Lizzie Bennet in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (Tread the Boards Theatre Company) and Nor in ‘Kukunor/Kalahari’ (The Arena Theatre). She also performed twice in the 2020 Leicester Comedy Festival. During the first lockdown in 2020, she wrote and starred in her award-winning short film, Delivery.
Katie has a wealth of experience in Theatre in Education and teaching acting. She facilitates workshops with young people from primary school age through to young adult, and also teaches acting to degree-level students. As someone who was lucky enough to be able to turn a passion into a career, Katie relishes helping others explore and realise their own creative potential.
Chloë Crump
Lead Practitioner
Chloë is an actor who trained at Kingdom Drama School, Gecko Theatre and The Actors Temple. Her career includes working in highly acclaimed and successful productions in the theatre and film industry. She has performed in contemporary productions including working with Brunskill and Grimes, the creatives behind War Horse, as well as many Shakespeare touring productions and TIE. Her TV and film experience includes acting in ITV dramas and performing in award-winning short films.
Her theatre credits include Beatrice/Hero in ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, Viola in ‘Twelfth Night’, Witch in Macbeth (all Much Ado About Theatre), Lucy in LUVU2, Mum/Lola in ‘I Want! I Want!’ and Mum/Lisa in ‘Kids Having Kids (all Pintsize Theatre Company). Her screen credits include Emily Gale in ‘Gale: Stay Away from Oz’ directed by Daniel Alexander, Abigail in ‘Confessions of Pain’ and Leah in ‘On 3’ both by Scarlett Light Media and Sophie in ‘Do You See It Too’ by Super Freak Media.
With warmth, encouragement and empowering techniques, Chloë thrives on teaching young actors to explore their creativity and potential. She is overjoyed to be passing on her passion for the industry as she helps students become fuller, more confident versions of themselves through the power of performance.
Grace Ford
Assistant Practitioner
Grace is an actor who has been training at Urban Young Actors for the past six years. During this time, she has performed in a number of projects including playing Jess in ‘Where Were You,’ hosting and acting in the Urban Young Actors Play Festival at Sue Townsend Theatre, and winning the Over 16s Scratch Slam 2022 with a duologue from Macbeth. She also recently portrayed Morticia in a production of The Addams Family Musical. Grace is currently working towards her A-Levels and has just been offered a place on the BA Acting and Stage Combat course at East 15 this October.
Grace is thrilled to be working with Urban and looks forward to working with our Under 12 and 12-16 groups. She hopes that she can inspire and encourage students to build on their confidence and passion for acting.
