Hannah Soulsby-Phillips
Principal/Director
MA Theatre, BA (hons) Acting, MSTSD, VHFA, LAMDA Examiner
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Hannah trained at Birmingham School of Acting, graduating in 2006 with a BA (hons) in Acting, (Musical Theatre Pathway) and Guildford School Acting, gaining a MA in Theatre in 2022. She also holds ABRSM Music Theory qualifications, LAM (Gold Medal) LAMDA, she is a Vocal Health First Aider, is a member of the Society of Teachers of Speech & Drama and a LAMDA Examiner.
Her professional performing credits include: Technofear at the Hazlitt Theatre, Kent, Hansel and Gretel (Welsh tour), Mrs. Jessop (National UK tour), King Billy Learns Respect (musical), The Engine/Vita Nova (rehearsed readings), and 'Under Milk Wood' with Conspiracy Theatre Company.
After working around the country as a performer Hannah decided she wanted to teach. For over 15 years, Hannah has been working with schools and children’s theatre companies across the UK as a singing and drama coach. In 2012 she co-founded Rummage Theatre, a professional Theatre Company for whom Hannah has written three plays - 'Cleansed', 'Captive Minds' & 'Behind the Wallpaper'. Rummage enjoyed popular runs at Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She is currently on the Teaching Faculty of The Dorset Foundation College, as sixth form dedicated to performing arts training.
Hannah recognised that there was little choice for a budding actor who wished to train in Acting and Film, rather than Musical Theatre, so she created DDA to provide specialist acting training for under 21's.
Hannah's students have been cast in professional music videos, short films, pantomimes and plays, and many have gone on to train at some of the country's top drama schools.
Victoria Eldon
LAMDA/Drama Coach BA (Hons)
Victoria is a professional actress from Bournemouth. Her theatre training began in Stratford Upon Avon where she spent a year on an intensive course in conjunction with the Royal Shakespeare Company and then went on to complete her BA (Hons) in Acting at the Arts University Bournemouth graduating in 2011.
Since then Victoria has worked extensively in both film and theatre and has appeared in several feature films including "Stalled" and "Territory" as well as numerous TV adverts and many short films.
As a keen teacher and workshop leader for children of all ages Victoria has taught for various drama schools across Dorset and Hampshire and has taught LAMDA for over 5 years with a 100% pass rate for her students.
DDA are proud to have one of the best LAMDA results rates in Dorset, with 90% of their students achieving Distinctions.
Melissa Gotobed
Film Class Teacher BA (Hons)
Show Photographer
Melissa has a first class BA (Hons) Television Production degree at Bournemouth University.
Her professional production credits include being the 2nd Unit Director/Assistant Editor/Production Assistant for Dan Fam Productions and DAL Productions on their TV Pilot Jenna The Great and other recent projects, assisting on several film sets, and running MG Showreels in association with Hashtag Talent.
Melissa has a passion for film and TV and loves helping others to develop their production skills to create their own productions from concept to filming.
Hattie Gotobed
Junior Drama Teacher/LAMDA Teacher
Hattie has been named one of Britain's female rising stars by IMDB and Screen Terrier for 2016. Her professional performing credits include: Ghita in Game of thrones season 5, Lily alongside Chris Hemsworth and Kristen Stewart in Snow White and the Huntsman, Jade in Michael Pearce's Beast and she even doubled as Brad Pitt's daughter in WWZ. Aside from these top feature films Hattie has been awarded Best Actress for her role in Daisy at the Marbella International Film Festival October 2016 and has recently filmed a co-lead role of Lucia in The Visitor and was a presenter in Minnie’s Fashion Challenge; along with other credits she continues to audition for future characters.
Hattie loves inspiring other children to gain confidence and enjoy performing as well as the possibility to go further. She is currently completing her drama teaching diploma under the supervision of Principal Hannah.
