Created the Poor School in 1986. He trained at the Bristol Old Vic, leaving in 1976. He directed on the London fringe and then spent five years acting, writing and directing in Australia. Final year shows have included DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller, THE MASTER BUILDER by Henrik Ibsen, OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder, THE DRESSER by Ronald Harwood and OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD by Timberlake Wertenbaker.

Has taught movement and dance at the Poor School since 1989. In the early 1980s she worked as an actress with companies such as Raree Clown and Trickster Theatre and then spent some years in Cardiff with South Glamorgan TIE Company. Marcelle has worked for RADA, BADA, the London Centre for Theatre Studies and Syracuse. Marcelle also worked as movement coach for productions by the Ridiculusmus Theatre Company and Shady Dolls.

Trained originally in classical ballet and later as an actress at the Poor School. She has worked extensively in the West End, regional theatre and on television. For the Poor School she has directed AN EXPERIMENT WITH AN AIR PUMP by Shelagh Stevenson and STEEL MAGNOLIAS by Robert Harling.

Trained at Guildford School of Acting. After nearly ten years of Community Theatre, TIE, Touring and Fringe, she trained at Central for the Advanced Diploma in Voice Studies. She has since taught at Oxford School of Drama, Mountview and LAPA. She joined the Poor School in the autumn of 2000.

Nikki is a founder member of the Sturdy Beggars Theatre Company, recently playing Claire in David Mamet's BOSTON MARRIAGE. An ex-student of The Poor School she has, since graduating, directed current students in THE SEAGULL by Chekhov and PRIVATE LIVES by Noel Coward.

Artistic Director of the Palace Theatre, Westcliffe for 24 years until 1999. He trained at The Bristol Old Vic and worked extensively as an actor for 10 Years. Now freelance. Joined The Poor School in 2002.

Grantley was Head of Musical Theatre at the Urdang Academy in Covent Garden for seven years. He has worked for Arts Educational, The Roundhouse, the Globe Centre and spent two years as a principal in the West End production of GREASE. He obtained a BA (Hons) in Music from Leeds University and began teaching at The Poor School in May, 2004..