Kieran Vyas (he/him)
Artistic Director
Kieran is an award-winning director, acting coach and filmmaker with over 12 years experience across the theatre, film and TV industries.
Kieran has also 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 their audition panels. Actors who have trained with Kieran have performed roles for West End theatres, the RSC, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Netflix, Sky Studios 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 (she/her)
Executive Director
Katie trained as an actor at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Since graduating in 2013 she’s toured both nationally and internationally and her credits include Hypatia in ‘Misalliance’, Ellie Dunn in ‘Heartbreak House’ (Shaw’s Corner), Aurora in ‘How to Catch a Star’ (UK and Singapore tour), Lizzie Bennet in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (Tread the Boards Theatre Company), Nor in ‘Kukunor/Kalahari’ (The Arena Theatre) and Scrooge in ‘A Christmas Carol’ (The Attenborough Arts Centre). She’s also produced numerous film productions and projects for Total Insight Theatre and the internationally acclaimed Fierce Festival in 2022.
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 (she/her)
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.
Jacob Ford (he/they)
Assistant Practitioner
Jacob has been with UYA for almost seven years, acting in numerous productions both on stage and screen. He is currently studying drama, media and literature and aspires to work in the creative industry in the future.
As an actor, Jacob has great talent and razor-sharp wit and says they are excited to be working with UYA to share the skills he has gained and to inspire the young actors.
Grace Ford (she/her)
Assistant Practitioner & Combat Specialist
Grace trained at UYA for seven years. During that time she performed in a number of projects including playing Jess in ‘Where Were You,’ hosting and leading in the UYA Theatre 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 training at East 15 on the BA Acting and Fight Performance course.
