Qualifications and Experience    

B.Ed Hons Dance and Drama

 

Sue’s experience and dedication to arts education and theatre spans four decades. During her time as Head of a large Performing Arts Faculty at St Julies High School Liverpool, post 16 courses were firmly established in dance, drama, and music. Sue passionately believes every young person should have access to the arts as part of their education, no matter what their background and individual ability. Examination results were consistently amongst the highest in national league tables. Her priority was to provide enrichment challenges and opportunities which would prepare students for future training and employment in the performance industry. Her students performed in national and international events, including productions in China and Barcelona. Many of her pupils have studied at prestigious establishments including RADA, Guildhall and LIPA and have achieved success in the world of stage and screen These include Katherine Rose Morley (Last Tango in Halifax and The Syndicate) Laura Frances Morgan (The Culprits and The Hollow Crown) and BAFTA winner Jodie Comer, who still calls Sue Miss!  

In 2008, as Creative Network co-ordinator, Sue played a significant role in Liverpool City of Culture events. 

During her time as a key member of The Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Teachers Forum, Sue collaborated with leading practitioners and companies. Projects included working with local primary schools and The Royal Shakespeare Company, which culminated in highly acclaimed productions of King Lear and Hamlet. 

Sue now works as a freelance teacher and drama coach and is also Vice Chair of governors at the prestigious Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts Sixth Form College. She coaches students for auditions and supports teaching staff. Other projects include consultancy work and script writing. Her achievements in verbatim theatre include a production exploring dementia “She isn’t my Mother Anymore” which was performed at The Liverpool Everyman. She passionately believes that drama is an invaluable tool in raising awareness of social and historical issues.  

In 2019 Sue, and fellow adjudicator Bev Clark, established the Cheshire One Act Festival which is now one of the largest festivals in the north of England.  

Since joining GODA in 2013 she has been in demand as an adjudicator and practitioner. She has adjudicated national festivals across the UK, including Scotland, Wales Guernsey and The Isle of Man. In March 2024 she was appointed as the adjudicator for Gibraltar International Drama festival, which included running workshops on the task of theatre evaluation.  

 Sue was Vice Chair of GODA from 2021 to 2023 and is a member of the NDFA committee In July 2023 and 2024 Sue delivered workshops on the adjudication process as part of the NDFA festival in Coventry. 

Future Adjudications    

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2025

SCDA Nairn One Act Festival February
Newtonabbey AUDF Full length Festival March

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Recent Adjudications    

2024

Gibraltar Drama Festival

YFC  Glamorgan  Drama Festival Port Talbot - February

SCDA South West Ross One Act Festival - February

​Hull and East Riding One Act Festival Bridlington - March

YFC West Midlands Performing Arts Festival Much Wentlock - March

Nidderdale AETF One Act Festival - April
Leverhulme AETF One Act Festival - April
Chigwell Speech and Drama Festival 

Deux Liverpool One Act Festival  June

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2023

NDFA Coventry - July

Spotlight Session lead practitioner

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SCDA Stirling District One Act - February

YFC Brecknock Drama and Entertainment Festival - February
Saltburn One Act Festival - March
Leverhulme Festival, Port Sunlight - 17 to 22 April

Chigwell Speech and Drama Festival - June

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2022

Saltburn Drama Festival - March

SCDA One Act Festival Killin Perthshire - March

Leverhulme Festival Port Sunlight - April

Richmond One Act Festival - April

Guernsey One Act Festival - May

Isle of Man Young Performer of Man workshop, performance and Festival - May

Speech and Drama Festival Chigwell - July

Woking Festival - October

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2021

Welwyn Garden City Youth Drama Festival - March

Guernsey One Act Festival - May

Liverpool Short Play Festival - August

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2020

YFC Drama Festival, Llandrindod Wells - February

Isle of Man One Act Festival and Young Performer of Man Masterclass -March

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2019

Durham and Sunderland AETF Washington

Chester Speech and Drama Festival

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2018

Durham and Sunderland One Act Festival - 8-10 March

South West YFC Pantomime Final

Tamworth Festival

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2017

Wales YFC English Language Entertainment Final

Formby Drama Festival

Cheshire Theatre Guild - Full Length Play Competition

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