
Student Success
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Matilda O'Sullivan
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Uk and Ireland Tour (2022), Jane Banks in Mary Poppins UK Tour (2025-2025)
When I was in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, my favourite part was spending time with the friends I met on tour, but the highlight was performing on stage, especially with Jason Donovan and Alexandra Burke! I have just been cast as Jane in Mary Poppins and can't wait to go on tour again!!
My dream role would have been Matilda in Matilda the Musical, but I’m too tall now. When I’m older, I would love to play Catherine Howard in Six the Musical because she's sassy like me! My next goal is to be cast in a London musical, fingers crossed!
I love being part of TAPA, enjoying the time with friends and learning various dance techniques and styles. It's difficult to choose a favourite class, but if I had to, it would be Theatre Company and ballet. My favourite memory so far is performing at Sadler’s Wells Theatre, which was so much fun, and I can’t wait to perform in Disneyland Paris soon!
I feel proud of my achievements at TAPA, including ballet, tap, modern, and LAMDA exams, and receiving the student recognition award. I also had the opportunity to audition and perform for the English Youth Ballet last year. My older sister used to take classes at TAPA before I was even born, and now I am taught by the same teachers, Miss Nicki and Miss Sophie.
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Maisy Mein
Les Miserables Concert (2019), Les Miserables West End (2021-2022), The Great British Bake Off Musical West End (2023)
I started TAPA when I was 2 doing Baby ballet and I have continued ever since! I have had many great experiences on stage such as- I played Little Cosette in Les Miserables the Concert, Little Cosette and Young Eponine in Les Miserables the Staged Show in the West End, and Lily in the Great British Bake Off Musical in the West End. I was very lucky as I also got to record the original cast album for the Great British Bake Off.
I loved all my roles but I really enjoyed playing Lily because it was a new show so I got to experience the Press night and the album recording as well as being in the show. My dream theatre role would be playing Cosette or Eponine in Les Miserables as an adult as the songs they sing are very powerful and moving to the audience. I like the feeling that we are all like a family at TAPA and we all really support each other! For example: my TAPA friends came to see me in the shows I have been in and I was very grateful for that!
I like all of my TAPA classes but my favourite is probably Ballet because you learn so much technique and skill that you wouldn't learn anywhere else in your life. One of my favourite memories was when I got given a scrapbook from the 2023 TAPA leavers. It was really special as it had all my TAPA memories in it and photos from the past at TAPA and it was nice looking back at all that I had done and how far I have come.
I have now performed in 4 TAPA shows which are always amazing and taken many dance and LAMDA exams which are always very memorable and exciting. I have performed at the Sadler's Wells Theatre and the Shaftesbury Theatre in London with the Momemtum Performance Troupe which I loved doing!!
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Olivia Groisman-Diaz
Les Miserables West End (2019-2020)
I started TAPA when I was two in baby ballet and soon took up modern and tap. I’ve always loved theatre, so when I was four, I joined the theatre company!
At seven, I was cast in Les Misérables as Young Éponine (and cover for Young Cosette), and I was delighted! It was my first West End job—and my favourite! I met so many inspiring people, loved performing in front of big audiences, and made lifelong friends.
My dream roles are Miss Honey (Matilda the Musical) and Éponine (Les Misérables) because they allow you to express deep emotions through acting and song.
I love TAPA because it’s an amazing performance school where everyone supports each other. It has given me and many others great friendships. There are so many different classes—from ballet to hip-hop, acting to musical theatre, and performing troupes, which offer opportunities to perform in incredible venues like Disneyland and Sadler’s Wells!
My favourite class is the theatre company. It’s such a fun community where we accomplish great things. The teachers are amazing and have helped us become the actors we are today. The skills I’ve learned have supported me in school productions and external performances. My favourite show we’ve done was Inside Out: The Musical! It was exciting to see a beloved movie turn into a hit musical.
Since my first show at TAPA at age three, I have performed in five TAPA shows, won awards like the Junior Ballet Award (2023) and Runner-Up Best Singer (2021), and earned distinctions in various dance and theatre exams. I have performed at Sadler’s Wells, Disneyland Paris, and even taken part in a Guinness World Record for the biggest tap lesson!
Next, I’d love to be in another musical or try voice acting!
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Scarlett Rain Nguyen
Royal Ballet School
I began dancing at the age of two and a half at TAPA, all because of my big brother Keanu.
My dream role is Manon or Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. At the moment, I am focusing on the next few years at White Lodge and preparing for my audition for upper school, knowing that the higher I get, the more difficult it becomes. Our school days are long and compact, combining six hours of academic studies with four to five hours of dance training.
I believe the moment I knew I wanted to pursue ballet was just before my eighth birthday when Miss Sophie voiced her wish for me to audition for The Royal Ballet Junior Associates.
I love that at TAPA, we were a big family and that each of us had our own role in it. We all felt special, and nobody was left out. There are many memories I cherish, though performing on stage with my brother and my last show at TAPA, where I was given the opportunity to do a solo, are certainly two very special ones.
Thanks to my teachers at TAPA, I always managed to do well in my exams, which is very important to me!
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Madison Smith
Lester Rabbit on Rhyme Time Town Netflix (2020)
One of my favourite things about working on Rhyme Time Town was being in a professional recording environment, surrounded by all the equipment. It was fascinating to be part of the animation process and amazing to see my character come to life.
I have been at TAPA since I was two and love the supportive atmosphere, which has helped me grow as a dancer, singer, and actor. Theatre Company is my favourite class because it combines everything I love. Performing in musicals and shows has made me more confident and given me invaluable skills. Being part of the Momentum Performance Troupe has also allowed me to perform in incredible places, helping me develop as a dancer.
Some of my favourite memories include performing at Disneyland Paris, my first theatre workshop with Josie, and the exciting weekends at the STAG Theatre. I’ve completed many dance and LAMDA exams, including Grade 5 Modern, Acting, and Musical Theatre. A huge achievement was being cast as Lester Bunny in Rhyme Time Town.
Through Ignite Talent Agency at TAPA, I’ve auditioned for many musicals and shows. My dream roles include Elle Woods (Legally Blonde) and Veronica Sawyer or Heather McNamara (Heathers). Next, I want to expand my vocal range and work towards the West End!
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Ava Pollard
Little Hotdog Watson Shoot (2024)
I started at TAPA when I was 3. I love all my dance classes but especially Theatre because I love singing, and Acro because I love learning new tricks! My favourite thing about TAPA is that I can do all different kind of dancing and all the teachers are really nice.
I am so lucky, because I have made so many memories like performing at the O2, Sadlers Wells, New Wimbledon Theatre and soon I am going to be performing at Disneyland Paris!
One of my favourite memories is doing my first show at the stag theatre when I was 4! And this year I took my first tap exam and I got 94 out of 100!!! This year I also got to do my first photoshoot, I loved the whole day, especially making new friends.
I love performing so so much and my dream would be to play Matilda in the west end.