What led you and your wife, Sarah-Jane, to set up The Curious Academy of Talent in Lincoln?

Having decided to move to Lincoln to raise our family, we wanted to bring with us the experience and connections we’d built in the industry, and create something that offered opportunities and training that can be harder to access outside of London. The Academy sits alongside our charity foundation and talent agency, all working together to give young people the best possible platform, whether they want to pursue the arts professionally or simply grow in confidence.

️ Between you, you’ve both worked extensively in television, theatre and live performance — how does that shape the way the Academy is run?

Our experience directly informs everything we do. We understand what’s required for a sustained career, and what’s expected when auditioning for drama school or professional work. That allows us to offer industry-standard training in a way that’s current and relevant. As working professionals, we bring that insight into the room each week, whether through classes, workshops or opportunities via our agency. We’ve already seen students progress into professional training and secure work in TV, theatre and commercials, which is incredibly rewarding. I think it’s also unique and beneficial that our students get to see us practice what we preach on stage and screen as well as well as seeing shows that we are otherwise creatively involved with like Sarah choreographing shows for The Royal Academy of Music.

What was important to you when shaping the ethos and approach of the Academy?

We wanted to create an environment that balances high standards with genuine care. It’s important to us that students feel supported and encouraged, but also challenged to grow. We keep the work fun and engaging, while maintaining a clear sense of discipline and purpose. Accessibility is also a key part of our ethos — we offer bursaries and have developed a charity alongside the Academy to help ensure that more young people can access the arts.

What kind of children and young people tend to flourish at the Academy?

We’ve seen a real mix of young people thrive. Some arrive full of confidence and ambition, already knowing they want to pursue performance, and they benefit from the level of training we provide. Others come in much more quietly, sometimes unsure of themselves, and over time begin to find their voice. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that transformation — often those students go on to achieve things they never imagined at the start.

Parents often talk about confidence as much as performance skills — how do your classes support that?

For many of our families, confidence is just as important as technical skill. Over time, Curious has become more than a theatre school — it’s a space where young people feel safe, heard and able to express themselves. We’re very aware of the emotional journey that comes with growing up, and we aim to support our students through that as much as we develop their performance skills. The arts naturally encourage communication, empathy and resilience, and we see those qualities develop week by week.

What would you say to parents who aren’t sure if performing arts is the right fit for their child?

You don’t need to be aiming for a career in the arts to benefit from this kind of training. The impact on confidence, communication, creativity and friendships can be huge. For many young people, it becomes a place where they feel they belong — and that, in itself, is incredibly valuable.

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Contact us at Sarah@sjhoneywell.com, on 07976 733877 or via Facebook or Instagram.