Deborah-Ann Carter

FOUNDER

From an early age, Deborah Ann Carter discovered a love for theatre and performance that would shape her life and career. After training at Mountview Drama School and working professionally, she found her true passion not only in performing but in teaching, guiding others to unlock their creativity, confidence, and talent.

With that vision, Deborah founded Players Drama School, building it from the ground up into a vibrant community where children and young people could experience the joy of theatre. Under her leadership, the school grew into a place renowned for its nurturing atmosphere, professional training, and the life skills it instilled in every student who stepped onto the stage. For over 25 years, she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to developing the next generation of performers and storytellers.

In 2020, Deborah passed the school on to Rebecca, her former student, colleague, and friend. This transition was a natural continuation of her legacy, ensuring the values she established remain at the heart of Players Drama School today. Deborah and Rebecca maintain a close relationship, with Deborah continuing to be a mentor and inspiration behind the scenes.

Alongside her legacy at Players, Deborah now runs The Actors’ Workroom, where she offers specialist training for aspiring professionals, including drama school audition preparation, as well as a range of adult acting classes. Her work continues to empower actors of all ages to grow in skill, confidence, and ambition.

Deborah’s story is forever entwined with Players Drama School, her vision, passion, and dedication laid the foundations of the school as it stands today: a creative home for every student, where theatre is not just about performance, but about personal growth, collaboration, and joy.

Meet the Players Drama School Preston Team

Rebecca Wilson | Owner/Acting

Rebecca’s theatre story began back in the millennium when all she wanted was to go to drama school, ‘But mum I just want to act’ and so she did. The following week she was dropped off at the Playhouse Theatre, for her very first session at the players drama school. Her tummy full of dancing butterflies, reflecting both her nerves and excitement, she remembers that very moment so clearly, two older girls stood either side of the theatre doors, lots of children running past giggling and smiling.

Deborah-Ann Carter | Founder

My Story – I tell the following because I truly believe it to be essential to the school and my teachings. The adventures I had growing up are reflected in the schools artistic growth. To be able to have grown up in two fabulous countries that speak the same language but offer different sights, sounds, smells and touch undoubtedly form and shape our school today.

Anna McCutcheon | Manager / Dancer

Anna’s journey with Players Drama School began in 2010 when she joined as a Saturday student, drawn to the thrill of performing and the unique buzz of the stage. From a young age, she knew without a doubt that a career in the performing arts was her calling. Anna pursued her professional training at Preston College Dance, where she earned a First-Class BA Honours Degree in Dance Performance, Choreography, and Teaching. Following her graduation, she stepped straight into the industry, joining the Rolling Back the Years UK Tour with Timeless Entertainment as a Dancer/Singer.

Sian Davies | Dancing

I began performing at a very early age and have danced for as long as I remember. Dancing was always my passion and an obvious choice for me as I worked my way through school and started to consider what to do next. I ended up studying my professional dance and teachers of dance qualification at Preston College and qualified with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in 2010. Whilst studying there, I trained in a number of different styles of dance including Ballet, Tap, Modern, Salsa, Jazz and National.

Abbey Pilling | Singing

Abbey found her love for theatre at a very young age where she started at Miss Sutcliffes Academy of Dance training in all different styles, she then went on to join school shows in high school such as her debut lead role being Molly Jensen in Ghost the Musical, also doing Billy Elliot and Footloose. This was when she realised that theatre was something she wanted to continue to do.

Grace Ainsworth | Acting

Hi I’m Grace and I work as a big sister at Players and a teaching assistant at Players in Education. I have been a pupil since the age of 7 and still get to experience the love of performing as a member of the new college group.

India Allard | Singing

Singing and performing has always been a huge part of my life, from singing along to songs on the radio to performing solos on stage. I attended Players Drama School for many years before graduating last year, then I was offered the opportunity to work in Players in Education before becoming the singing teacher at our brand-new Saturday school at Preston College. I am so thrilled to be working for Players as it has always felt like a family to me, and I have always been supported and pushed to achieve while being a student and now as a teacher. Hopefully I can inspire others just as other Players Teachers inspired me.

Grace Buckley | Dancing

From a young age, dance and performing have been my biggest dreams. Loving every moment of being on stage, I knew I wanted to make this my career — so I did! After lots of hard work, I graduated from Preston College Dance with a First Class BA Honours Degree in Dance Performance, Teaching, and Choreography, as well as ISTD teaching qualifications in Ballet and Modern. This then led me to Players, where I started teaching dance during summer school and have never looked back.

Lily Simcock | Big Sister

Hi I’m Lily and I am a big sister here at Players Drama School. I have been a student since 2019 and still attend on a Wednesday night in the teen group. As a big sister my job involves taking care of the children, making sure they are having fun and getting involved. I enjoy getting to know each and every child whilst also watching their confidence and independence grow week by week in each discipline. My experience so far at Players is one that I will never forget and one that I can’t wait to continue. When I am not at drama I like to spend time with family, friends, and of course shopping!

Katie Preece | Teaching Assistant

Hi i’m Katie and I work as a big sister at Players drama school and i also help out at Players in Education during the week. I have been a pupil for around 10 years and have loved every second of Singing, Dancing and Acting. Being a big sister means looking after the children and watching them find their love for drama and grow into confident performers. I love seeing their creativity and imaginations bring characters to life. I have made life long friends attending players and I have enjoyed performing with them in many musicals and showcases.