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.

I now teach at Players in Education, as well as at our fabulous Easter & Summer schools, Players Intensives, and I lead Little Players on a Saturday morning, where you’ll find me with our youngest performers in “Little Players.” Seeing the confidence grow in students from age 3 all the way to their teens is one of the most special things about Players.

Alongside teaching, I have gone on to perform several professional dance contracts, working with icons such as Betty Legs Diamond and performing in shows across the UK. I train regularly in London with some of the best choreographers in the UK to improve myself as a professional dancer and to be the best teacher possible for my students.

I am very fortunate to teach so many children who share the same passion as I do and who feel they can be themselves surrounded by their Players family. It really does make my job so much fun!

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.

Abbie Clegg | Acting

I have always loved performing and at the age of seven, I became a pupil at Players Drama School where my love for performing arts grew and grew! After graduating at the age of sixteen, I was offered the job of a ‘Big Sister’ on a Saturday; a role I had always looked up to as young pupil and always hoped I would be one day. Being a Big Sister meant that I was able to gain the experience of being a teaching assistant at a drama school whilst staying within the Players family and continuing my performance training at Runshaw College; where I completed the Level 3 Professional Performance Programme with a triple distinction star grade.

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.