The Teaching Team
We have lots of members of staff, all with unique qualities and special skills that help the children develop in a safe caring environment.
Tristan Carter teaches Drama and is Curtain Up’s co-founder. He trained at Guildford School of Acting and has a degree in Theatre Studies from Rose Bruford. Tristan is both a LAMDA teacher and examiner. He would quite happily go to the theatre every day of the week if he could. He is always thrilled to see children believe in themselves and develop their skills. His favourite possession is his table tennis table and now that Sarah has let him have a dog he's working on getting a Camper Van.....
Sarah Carter is Curtain Up’s Principal and co-founder, mother of three and also married to Tristan. She has a degree in Pharmacy and specialised in oncology. Sarah rarely manages to get through and end of term performance with dry eyes as she knows what huge personal achievements many of the children have overcome.
Maisie Carter trained at Guildford School of Acting and then decided that stage & screen combat was the most exciting career for her. She founded MC_Combat, her work as a fighter director and choreographer takes her all around the country and the West End - her excitement is currently sky high as she's working on the Hunger Games in a purpose built London theatre. She regularly pops in to help us at Curtain Up and hopes each student gets as much joy out of it as she did!
Annette Wilsher Annette Wilsher is Dance Teacher from Glasgow and has been teaching at Curtain Up since 2007. She has a BA (Hons) Dance Degree from the University of Surrey and Postgraduate teaching qualifications from the University of Exeter. She has additional teaching qualifications from the International Dance Teachers Association and British Cheerleading Association. She has taught students GCSE and A-Level Dance and now she runs her own Dance school ‘Bop About Dance’. Her favourite colour is glitter, Van Halen ‘Jump’ is the best song ever and don’t get her started on her obsession with goats….
Lara Lawman Lara is a director, writer, and teacher from Bath who trained in MA Directing at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Her work has been performed at The Tobacco Factory, The Bristol Old Vic, the Egg Theatre, the Ustinov Studio, and the Exeter Barnfield. She particularly enjoys musical theatre, Shakespeare, and new writing. With a PGCE in drama and over 10 years of teaching experience across various schools, drama schools, and theatres, Lara thrives on helping young people achieve their potential and create professional-level work.
Lizzie Jones studied piano and voice at Bath Spa University, she has taught piano and singing in Bath since then, working with students of all ages, covering a wide variety of both modern and classical styles. Lizzie has a particular passion for opera and musical theatre, especially Disney! She is also an experienced choral singer and conductor and ran her own youth choir in Bath, 'The Minuendos', which performed all over the area. Lizzie loves to perform - she even has her own karaoke machine which constantly requires new microphones!
Rebecca Bidwell Rebecca is a professional actor and theatre maker, also working as a Drama Teacher and LAMDA Instructor. She graduated from East 15 Acting School in 2024 with an MA in Acting. Her training also includes The Hub Theatre School, The Poor School, and the Sylvia Young Theatre School. She holds a BA (Hons) in Theatre Arts, an HND in Physical Theatre, and a National Diploma in Performing Arts. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Cherry Blossom Productions and Blue Chrysalis Productions, which celebrated their Off West End debut with 'Look At Me' in 2024, earning their first 5-star review at the Brighton Fringe in 2025. Rebecca is passionate about sharing her love of the arts with her students and is delighted to be part of the team at Curtain Up Theatre School.
Sophie Baxter Sophie started dance lessons in Ballet, Tap and Modern/Jazz at the age of two, before going on to take singing and drama lessons just a few years later. She eventually went on to train professionally in Musical Theatre at Performance Preparation Academy, Guildford and is now lucky enough to perform professionally, as well as being an active member of Bath Light Operatic Group. Sophie enjoys sharing her passion and knowledge with younger generations and is thrilled to be joining the Curtain Up team.
Shannon Croker Shannon Croker studied Musical Theatre (Triple Threat) at University of Chichester Conservatoire and now teaches singing and music theory across Wiltshire. Starting her theatre journey as a student at Curtain Up herself, she now regularly performs at Theatre Royal Bath and has over 6 years of teaching experience. Shannon loves to go to gigs and festivals, and if she’s not at one, she’s probably busy booking the next one! Fun fact: Shannon drives trains on a heritage line when she’s not teaching!
George Miles George is an ex student of Curtain Up after staying with us for over 12 years, it’s obvious that he couldn’t keep away because he’s always with us! George is still a keen performer in musical theatre and is a member of a number of theatre companies in Bath where he has performed in many shows.