WHO'S WHO
Melissa Leigh: Founder and Partner.
Melissa Leigh, set up Stand Up Drama and London Bites in October 2005.
Melissa trained as a professional dancer, then went on to gain an Honours degree in Drama and English at London University. Melissa began her professional career as a Producer and was integral to the creation and launch of 2 Satellite TV channels broadcast on Sky and NTL. After 4 years working behind the camera and accolades including winner of the ’30 Under 30’ award from Media Week magazine and published writing in trade and entertainment press Melissa decided to pursue her first love of acting, which is when she came up with the idea for Stand Up Drama- London Bites.
Melissa has now married and moved to Los Angeles to further her career in film and television. Recent credits include The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS) and Hammer of the Gods (NBC Universal) Melissa is a member of BAFTA LA and Film Independent. IMDB
Clare-Louise English: Partner and Producer
Clare-Louise is the daughter of the late comic actor Arthur English. She studied at professional Ballet school, then moved to London to train as an actor at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, (LAMDA). Since graduating, Clare has been working as an actor in London, working on a range of theatre, film and radio projects.
Clare-Louise has been involved in Stand Up Drama and London Bites from it’s start in October 2005, and has produced over 15 London Bites shows. She has also overseen London Bites’ move to a new venue and the opening of Stand Up Drama’s production wing, the first production to be produced by Clare- “Auntie and Me” and will open in Feb 08. Last June Clare produced a one-off show for The Spotlight and the Conference of Drama Schools, to celebrate the annual Spotlight Graduate Award, and plans are underway for this year.
www.clarelouiseenglish.moonfruit.com
Charlie Swallow – Assistant Producer
Charlie trained at Central School of Speech and Drama on the BA Theatre Practice course. Credits include, ‘Woyzeck’ by Georg Buchner, ‘Synchronicity’ an improvised piece focusing on the collective unconscious (ICA – Accidental Festival 06) ‘The Missing Pen’, A co-written piece with Sarah O’hanlon (ICA Accidental Festival 07) ‘Love, Magic and other tricks’ by Stand Not Amazed (Soho Theatre). Charlie continues to develop her independent work and is delighted to be working for Stand Up Drama.
Anna Jordan – Director
Anna trained as an actor at LAMDA. Fed up with being out of work, she started writing her own parts, and has since gone from strength to strength as a playwright and director. In 2006 she formed Without a Paddle Theatre Company. Plays include No Reason at All, Except I Have Toothache, which she also directed, at LAMDA. Marianne, which was developed on a playwriting course at The Royal Court and received a rehearsed reading at the Trafalgar Studios. It was also shortlisted for the Bruntwood Royal Exchange Prize. Two of her short plays, A Bed of Foxgloves and Closer to God have had rehearsed readings at Theatre 503. Her latest play, Just For Fun – Totally Random won Best New Writing at the Lost One Act Festival this year and has a run at the Camden People’s Theatre in September. Anna recently directed a large-scale physical theatre piece for the Chelsea Flower Show. www.withoutapaddletheatre.co.uk.
