Meet the Alumni!

Class of 2024

Theo found his passion for theatre in early 2022 and joined BIGLITTLE in September as a student of the Professional Development Programme (PDP) Foundation Plus. He performed in the PDP production of The Stationmaster in February 2024 and now continues his training on a three year BA (Hons) Musical Theatre course at Emil Dale Academy (EDA).

Outside BIGLITTLE he has appeared in shows at the Lighthouse Pavilion theatres, the most recent of which was BBLOC’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat as the brother Judah. He also starred as Galileo Figaro in BSG’s 2022 production of We Will Rock You.

Class of 2021

Sophie trained with the BIGLITTLE Professional Development Programme before completing a one year diploma in musical theatre at the London School of Musical Theatre (LSMT).

On completing her training at LSMT she secured a role as a Lead Vocalist for P&O Ferries before moving on to Saga’s ‘Spirit of the Danube River Cruise’ as a Vocalist and Vocal Captain. Shortly after this, she moved onto Saga’s ‘Spirit of Discovery Ocean Cruise’, again as a Vocalist and Vocal Captain.  All three experiences have been very different, but each so much fun and great learning experiences. Sophie is excited for what lies ahead next!

Credits whilst at BIGLITTLE:

Drowsy Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone; Jojo in Brenda Bly, Teen Detective; Amy in Little Women, and in many performances of the annual show Broadway Showtunes including appearing as Mary Poppins.

Class of 2024
Jennifer trained at BIGLITTLE Theatre School for five years, with the latter two as part of their Professional Development Programme. She performed in the PDP production of The Stationmaster in February 2024 and as Diana Morales in A Chorus Line in 2023. Jennifer was successful in gaining a place on the three year BA (Hons) Musical Theatre course at Emil Dale Academy (EDA) where she is currently continuing her training.

Class of 2024
Maia trained at BIGLITTLE Theatre School for many years in their Youth Theatre companies, before joining their Professional Development Programme (PDP). She performed in the PDP production of The Stationmaster in February 2024, and other notable roles whilst at BIGLITTLE included Ruby in A Chorus Line and Catherine Parr in Six. She is now continuing her Musical Theatre training at Goldsmiths University on their three year BA (Hons) Performance in Musical Theatre course.

Class of 2023

Theo trained at BIGLITTLE Theatre School as part of their Professional Development Programme.  In 2023 he went on to train at the London School of Musical Theatre on a one year intensive diploma course.

Class of 2023

Eloise trained with the BIGLITTLE Professional Development Programme for one year, before moving onto Italia Conte in 2023 to train on a three year degree course in Musical Theatre.

Class of 2023

Rebecca trained at BIGLITTLE for many years before joining their Professional Development Programme.  Leaving BIGLITTLE in 2023, she went on to train at Performance Preparation Academy (PPA) on a three year degree course in Acting.

Diana was one of the OG BIGLITTLE kids way back in the day, and went on to train at Mountview in Musical Theatre. Throughout her career she has retained her maiden name ‘Diana Chrisman’ as her stage name, and she now lives in Canada working in TV film & voiceover.

She is currently appearing in a kids TV show on Netflix called Ponysitter’s Club (where she plays the comedy relief character Bianca), and more recently she has appeared in Warner Bros DC comics “Titans”.  Diana is also in a variety of Hallmark Christmas movies which occasionally play on Channel 5, and is the “Voice of” KIA Canada in their car commercials.

Hear her on the KIA commercial here

Recent credits include:

Ponysitters Club – TV Series (Netflix) & Feature films (Amazon Prime) playing Bianca (recurring)

Titans – TV series (Netflix) playing Young Sandra (Season 4 Episode 6).

The Parker Andersons – TV series (Apple TV) playing ‘English Host’ (Series 1, Episode 5).

Fear Thy Neighbor – TV series (Investigation Discovery) playing Patricia Hack (Series 5, Episode 9).

The Fox and the Pigeon: Narrative Neighbours – Short film playing Ms Story.

A Christmas in London – TV Movie (Channel 5) playing Sarah (and the Dialect coach).

My Paranormal Nightmare – TV Series playing Mom (Season 1, Episode 8).

Baby in a Manger – TV Film (Amazon Prime) playing Candice.

After the Storm – TV Movie (Channel 5) playing Paige.

A Christmas Village – TV Movie (Channel 5) playing Millie Milton.

Class of 2004

James studied at BIGLITTLE from 2002-2004 before heading off to Mountview Academy. After graduating, he worked in the theatre industry for a further 5 years on tours and overseas.

In 2011, James made the decision to leave the industry and returned to Bournemouth where he focused on his hospitality career. James worked as a corporate events manager for a number of years before taking over the family business with his sister at the Marsham Court Hotel.

Not wanting to completely give up theatre, James began performing in local shows including: Don in Summer Holiday, The Man in Whistle Down The Wind, Sir Robin in Spamalot, Che in Evita, Jamie in The Last Five Years, Sky in Guys & Dolls and Tony in Copacabana.

James is one of the Founding Directors of Bournemouth Musical Theatre Productions, which has produced many successful shows including: Little Shop of Horrors, Oliver and Spamalot. James has also directed and choreographed a number of shows including: Wizard of Oz (choreographer), Anything Goes (Director/Choreographer), Cats (Choreographer) and Guys & Dolls (Director/Choreographer).

James is a prime example of keeping his theatre dreams alive whilst not necessarily continuing with it professionally.

James got married to his husband, Mark, in 2021 and now lives in Bournemouth with their dog, Laika.

Katherine is currently training at the London School of Musical Theatre after completing her training at South Central Dance and securing a teaching qualification in contemporary dance.

Credits prior to training:

Ensemble in ‘The Best of the West End’ (Royal Albert Hall); Bridget/ Assistant Director in ‘Brenda Bly Teen Detective’ (Shelley Theatre, Bournemouth); Amy March in ‘Little Women’ (Shelley Theatre, Bournemouth); Winston in ‘1984’ (Forest Forge Theatre Company); Mercutio in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (Forest Forge Theatre Company).

Class of 2024
Abbie joined the BIGLITTLE Theatre School in September 2021 as part of their Professional Development Programme and completed their PDP Foundation Plus course where she gained a high Distinction in her Level 4 Musical Theatre Diploma. She performed in the PDP production of The Stationmaster in February 2024, and as Cassie in A Chorus Line in 2023.
In addition to her BIGLITTLE training she has played Clarisse in The Lightning Thief (Mayflower Theatre), and Kendra/Dancer in 13 the Musical (Cadogan Hall, London).
Abbie was successful in gaining a place on the three year BA (Hons) Professional dance and Musical theatre course at the Urdang Academy where she is currently continuing her training.

Nick has recently finished shooting the lead role in upcoming film ‘The Space you need’ by Sam Peter Jackson & will play Julius this spring 2024 in the world premiere of ‘Remembrance Monday’ (Seven dials playhouse).

Theatre credits include : Ralph in ‘Groundhog Day’ (The Old Vic) , Adam/Felicia in ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ (U.K. Tour),  Ren in ‘Footloose’ (Playhouse, West end) ,Tony & Cover Bobby C in ‘Saturday Night fever’ (Apollo Victoria, West end & RCCL) , Pfortzeimer in ‘Legally Blonde’ (Savoy, West End) ,George in ‘ The wedding singer'(Original cast, UK tour) Angel in ‘Rent’ (Garrick , West end) , cover & played Sky in ‘Mamma Mia'(International tour) ,Nick in ‘Fame’ (UK tour) , Kenickie in ‘Grease’ (David ian prod) , The man in ‘Gobsmacked!’ (U.S. National Tour & China) ,Tulsa in ‘Gypsy’ (Cardiff festival) Mitchell in ‘The Little Dog Laughed’ (Irish premiere, Dublin) ,Neil in ‘Mysterious Skin’ (kings head London) ‘Anthony & Cleopatra'(The Louvre , Abu Dhabi) Angel in ‘Tess of the Durbervilles’ (ATG). ‘Elegies for angels punks & raging queens’ (soho revue)

Nick has self-penned, directed & performed his own shows, ‘A spotlight on: Nick Hayes’ (Landor, London) & ‘Nick Hayes: In progress’ (Live at Zedel, Piccadilly).

TV & Film includes: Series regular Orson in ‘Hollyoaks : in the city’ (Channel 4) , Tom Portman in ‘Doctors’ (BBC) & award winning short film ‘The definition of lonely’ (Peccadillo pictures / Best Actor Kino Shorts) Shannon in ‘Telegraph hill’ , Paul in ‘RAT’ (bittersweet pictures) Roy in ‘Boyfriend material’ (TV Pilot) .

Workshops include: originated the role of The Ballet dancer in ‘LIFT’ (Trafalgar Studios), ‘Beyond Desire’ (new Wimbledon),’Midnight’ (Other Palace),’Monkee Business’ (Dominion) & new play ‘Savage’ (RADA) ,

Nick has worked as resident director & Dance captain for ‘Grease’ (David Ian productions) & ‘Gobsmacked’ (USA Tour , China) and assisted in the casting process for ‘We will Rock you’ , ‘Mamma Mia’ , ‘Grease’ & ‘Hairspray’ for Royal Caribbean productions and regularly lectures in performing arts at The University of Winchester.

Follow Nick on Instagram  @Nickhayesuk

James is currently in the UK and International Tour of Madagascar the Musical playing Mason/Lars and understudying the roles of Melman and Alex.

Training: Arts Educational Schools London

Theatre credits include: Madagascar UK and International Tour, Mason/Lars & U/S Melman & Alex. The Other Songs Live (London Palladium). Doctor Zhivago- In Concert (London Palladium). Let’s Face the Music (Royal Albert Hall).

Credits whilst training: Anthony in Sweeney Todd & Ensemble in A Chorus Line (Andrew Lloyd Webber Theatre)

Other credits include: Olivier Awards 2023 (ITV/Royal Albert Hall)

James was apart of Big Little from 2013 starting in Limelight’s and through to Starlights. James was also apart of the PDP company from 2017-2019 where he performed in the PDP shows Into The Woods and Little Women. He then went on to do a foundation course at Mountview in Musical Theatre before starting at ArtsEd in the BA Hons degree in Musical Theatre.

Class of 2024
Hannah trained at BIGLITTLE Theatre School for ten years both their Youth Theatre companies and as part of their Professional Development Programme. She performed in the PDP production of The Stationmaster in February 2024 and other roles have ranged from Queen of Hearts to Judy in ‘A Chorus Line’ in 2023.
Hannah was selected for a place on a three year BA (Hons) Performance in Musical Theatre course at Performance Preparation Academy (PPA) where she is now currently training.

Class of 2023

Jack trained at BIGLITTLE Theatre School for many years which culminated in him being both a member of the Professional Development Programme, and the GAPP course. Leaving in 2023 he went on to train at the London School of Musical Theatre for one year.

“BIGLITTLE has offered me elite training and support like no other along with countless opportunities for which I will always be grateful”

Joe is currently training at The Guildford School of Acting on the 3 year BA (Hons) Musical Theatre course after being a part of Big Little for 2 years.

While at Big Little Theatre School, Joe played parts such as Gomez Addams, Buck Barrow and one of the Jersey Boys in the annual ‘Broadway Showtunes’, as well as Robert Martin in ‘The Drowsey Chaperone’ as part of the PDP musical in February 2022.

While at Ringwood School, Joe got to play parts such as The Purser in ‘Anything Goes’, Billy Flynn in ‘Chicago’ and Monsiuer Thénardier in ‘Les Misérables’.

Class of 2023

Kirstie undertook the BIGLITTLE GAPP course to develop her skills and help her secure a place at drama school.  On completing the programme in 2023, she went on to train at Stella Mann College of Performing Arts on a three year degree course in Musical Theatre.

Class of 2024
Olivia trained at BIGLITTLE Theatre School for eight years in their Youth Theatre companies, before joining their Professional Development Programme and completing their PDP Foundation Plus course where she gained a high Distinction in his Level 4 Musical Theatre Diploma. Whilst at BIGLITTLE Olivia played many roles including Laurey in Oklahoma and Killer Queen in We Will Rock You.
Olivia was selected for a place on a three year BA (Hons) Musical Theatre course at Emil Dale Academy (EDA) where she is currently training.

Class of 2023

Millie trained at BIGLITTLE Theatre School and was part of both their Professional Development Programme for and the GAPP course. Leaving in 2023 she went on to train at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts on a one year foundation course.

“The Professional Development Programme and GAPP courses have given me the confidence and experience to be able to take my next steps towards the industry.  Both the core and visiting teaching staff create a supportive environment that has allowed me to push my boundaries and grow as a performer.  I have loved every second of it”

Class of 2024
Ollie trained at BIGLITTLE Theatre School from 2017 in their Youth Theatre companies, before joining their Professional Development Programme and completing their PDP Foundation Plus course where he gained a high Distinction in his Level 4 Musical Theatre Diploma. Roles whilst at BIGLITTLE have included Thomas Price (Stationmaster), Mike Costa (A Chorus Line), Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors) and Aldolpho (The Drowsy Chaperone).
Ollie received a number of offers for further training but chose a three year BA (Hons) Musical Theatre course at Emil Dale Academy (EDA) where he is currently now training.

Class of 2023

Lucy trained with the BIGLITTLE Professional Development Programme for one year before moving onto Performance Preparation Academy (PPA) in 2023 to train on a one year foundation course in Acting

 “I’ve only been a member of the Professional Development Programme for a year but in this short time I have been provided with so many insightful lessons and experiences which have aided my confidence.  The support this programme has given me has been a crucial step towards my future which I am sincerely grateful for”

Class of 2024
Nell trained at BIGLITTLE Theatre School for nine years in their Youth Theatre companies, on their Professional Development Programme and PDP Foundation Plus course, where she gained a high Distinction in her Level 4 Musical Theatre Diploma. She performed in the PDP production of The Stationmaster in February 2024 and other roles whilst at BIGLITTLE included Janet Van De Graf (The Drowsy Chaperone), Peggy Sawyer (42nd Street), Judy (A Chorus Line) and Sally Bowles (Cabaret).
Nell was selected for a place on a three year BA (Hons) Musical Theatre course at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music where she is currently training.

Class of 2023

Megan trained at BIGLITTLE from the age of six in all of their Youth Theatre companies before being a member of their Professional Development Programme between 2020 and 2023.  Leaving BIGLITTLE in 2023 she went on to train at Emil Dale Academy (EDA) on a three year degree course in Musical Theatre.

Class of 2024
Harry trained at BIGLITTLE Theatre School since the age of five, moving through all of their Youth Theatre companies, before joining their Professional Development Programme (PDP). He performed in the PDP production of ‘The Stationmaster’ in February 2024 at Thomas Price and Don Kerr in the 2023 production of ‘A Chorus Line’. Harry has also played Galileo in WWRY and Billy Flynn in Chicago (both at St. Peter’s school).
He was offered a place at Arts Educational (ArtsEd) on their three year BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Course where he is now training.

Class of 2023

Jacob trained at BIGLITTLE for many years before joining the Professional Development Programme.  Leaving BIGLITTLEi n 2023 he went on to train at Bird College Conservatoire of Dance and Musical theatre to study a three year degree course in professional dance and Musical theatre.

Suzie studied at BIGLITTLE from 2008 – 2011, participating in both performing and as the Assistant Stage Manager for one of the Showtunes at Bournemouth Pavillion. Due to personal circumstances, Suzie chose to put aside her love for musical theatre to pursue a career in technology, going on to study at the University of Brighton.

The skills Suzie learnt at BIGLITTLE and through the performing arts helped her integrate at University with ease; getting involved in the dance and drama groups, and joining the ‘Musical Theatre Society’.

Suzie ultimately found a passion for Indian and Bollywood Dance and became the Team Manager in the University society for many of the competitions in London, including Battle of Bollywood 4 and Just Bollywood.

Post-degree Suzie has settled into a career in website development and is keen to support BLAST where she can. Having recently got married in 2022, she now lives with her husband, Saint Bernard and 2 Maine Coons.

After leaving BIGLITTLE in 2017, Andrew went on to pursue a career in comedy, working full-time as a stand-up since leaving school in 2018. His live work has seen him grace some of the biggest comedy stages and festivals in the country, working alongside stars like Jack Dee, James Acaster, Sarah Millican, Milton Jones and Joe Lycett.

Most notably, Andrew has built a return audience at the famous Edinburgh Fringe, having taken four solo hours to the festival over the last seven years.

Away from live work, Andrew has built up a strong online presence for his storytelling, sketches, and stand-up clips; gaining over 9million views and 1million likes on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. His skilful writing has also seen him contribute to TV and radio shows like Mock the Week, as well as many social media campaigns for renowned brands including Samsung, M&S, Bumble, Sky, and Adidas.

Alongside developing formats for radio & TV, 2024 sees Andrew working up his new show, Young, Gay and a Third Thing, for the Edinburgh Fringe and touring the country with his hit podcast Trusty Hogs.

“Very exciting and very funny… definitely one to watch” (Joe Lycett)

“Go see him, he’s sublime” (Maisie Adam)

“Absolutely brilliant…took the stage by storm” (Wiltshire Live)

​”Andrew White’s comedy act is not to be missed!” (Daily Record)

“The talent is very obviously there…rampantly engaging” ★★★★ (The List)

Class of 2024
Isla trained for one year at BIGLITTLE Theatre School as part of their Professional Development Programme Foundation Plus Programme where she gained a high Distinction in her Level 4 Musical Theatre Diploma. She has been in various productions at Ringwood School, including Jellylorum (Cats) and Dutchess (Me and My Girl). She has also participated in National Theatre Connections.
Isla is currently continuing her training on the Foundation Musical Theatre CertHE Programme at the Guildford School of Acting.