The Little Tanks Team

Debi Rush

Debi Rush gained a BA Honours Degree in performing Arts at the University of Hertfordshire in 1998. She then began work as a professional actress in children’s theatre working with the legendary ‘Sooty’ and touring with ‘Art Attack’. After travelling the world, purely for pleasure, Debi decided on a slightly different career path on her return. She has never looked back and has been teaching drama to children aged 5-12 years for the past 9 years. Debi began Little Tanks in 2003 teaching all the classes herself, however after a growth spurt in the company and after having a little girl called Lily she decided to take a solely managerial role. Little Tanks currently has thirteen successful classes running and has plans for more growth in the future.

Gail Hankin
Gail began her career working as an actress in film, television and theatre. One of her most fun jobs was managing and performing in her own Theatre in Education Company. With this company she toured around many schools in and around London building up lots of valuable experience and developing skills. Gail is now using these tools within Little Tanks running the two courses that are based at East Sheen Primary School. As well as working for Little Tanks Gail also works with special needs children at East Sheen Primary School and has been doing so for the past seven years.

Julie Loison
Julie is a graduate of The National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts in New Zealand (1999), and more recently of the University of Kent with a Master of Arts in Theatre Dramaturgy (2010). She began her theatre experience at the Christchurch Drama Centre, where she performed and taught as a student. She went on to work with an assortment of fringe style cooperatives, and two Children’s Theatre Companies: Whakarite Theatre Company, and Kidzstuff Theatre. In 2002 she headed to the UK to work and travel, and in 2007 she took up teaching again with Stage Antics, a Saturday Theatre School in Kent. Most recently Julie has taught Drama for the Read School of Dance and Drama in Berkshire, and assisted as a Dramaturg for the Watermill Theatre in an outreach project called Memory Lane.

Clare Wooster
Clare has always had a keen interest in acting, and started by performing in plays in local amateur theatre. She then went on to train in Acting and Musical Theatre at Hertfordshire Theatre School. From there, she has worked for various theatre companies, touring shows to Schools and community venues. Last year, she completed a 6 month stint as an actor at Thorsby Hall in Nottinghamshire, bringing the historic house to life through drama. More recently, she was an understudy and asm on a national tour of an Ian Dickens’ Production, ‘Inside Job’. Clare has also taught drama to children at The Compass Theatre in Ickenham. She is very pleased to be working with Little Tanks again after a term off to persue acting projects.

Susannah Moody
Susannah is a trained and experienced actress with seven years teaching experience. She graduated from the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama in 2004 with a BA Hons in Acting/Musical Theatre. In between acting jobs she has been teaching theatre skills to children aged 5 - 18 years. She is still currently Choreographer for BSS Showbiz - a Saturday theatre school in Birmingham - and has previously worked as a Performance Director for the same company. Recently she has spent more time closer to home bringing drama to primary school children in the local area for Little Tanks.

PHilip Hurst
Philip trained from a young age at the Royal Berkshire Academy before receiving personal Mentoring for a number of years from West End Professionals whilst working in the industry. His most recent credits include: Benny in Rent, Henry in ‘War Horse; Best friend in ‘Leathaface cancer Research Ad; Duke Ould in ‘Blood and Truth & New Recruit in ‘Captain America. He has worked teaching youth theatres and other educational establishments for 4 years now. His Directing credits include, The wind in the willows & Animal Farm to name but a couple. He has also Musically Directed Godspell, Aladdin, A slice of Saturday Night & Joseph as well as Assistant Directing on numerous other productions

Bea Vanderkar
Bea began her training at the full-time drama school Redroofs Theatre School and then went on to the two year musical theatre course, graduating in 2006. She has worked professionally on many different projects and her Theatre, TV & Film credits include the musical Annie at the Apollo Theatre Oxford, several Christmas pantomimes, Silent Witness, Code 46, Harry Potter & various commercials & recordings. Bernadette loves working with young people and helping them develop, grow and gain in confidence through the performing arts. She teaches at various stage schools and theatre companies within the area.