Faculty
Billy Cullum: Principal, Dance, Movement
Billy was born in Kingston upon Thames and has had a passion for the Arts ever since watching Tchaikovsky's the Nutcracker in nursery. He then went on to train at one of the most prestigious conservatoires, Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'The Arts Educational Schools London' gaining a BA (Hons) degree in Musical Theatre. Billy most recently played opposite Ian McKellan in ‘Mother Goose’, played Nicholas in the Old Vic Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ and workshopped the choreography as well as appearing in the Netflix musical movie of ‘MATILDA’ directed by Matthew Warchus. He played the lead role of Alex in the critically acclaimed world premiere of ‘Leave to Remain’ at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith written by Matt Jones (Doctor Who/Mr Selfridge) and Kele Okereke (Bloc Party), joined the company of Little Shop of Horrors (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre ) and played the leading role of Mark Cohen in the 20th Anniversary production of Rent (London/UK Tour). Upon graduating he played the role of the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland (European Tour), Moritz Stiefel in Spring Awakening (UK Tour), Jesus in Godspell (Union Theatre), HAIR (European Tour), Merrily We Roll Along (Theatre Clwyd), Billy made his West End debut in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Matilda the Musical (Cambridge Theatre), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Understudying and playing the role of Jesus in the Olivier Award winning production of Jesus Christ Superstar (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre).
Billy is also a recording artist having had his most recent releases premiered and played on the Graham Norton show on BBC Radio 2. Working with prolific songwriters/producers in London and New York City Billy is making a mark of his own in the music industry. He has also choreographed music videos for MTV, Urban Outfitters and several other established artists.
Billy teaches professional workshops and classes at conservatoires such as the Arts Educational School of Musical Theatre, The MTA, Emil Dale Academy, Italia Conti and Urdang Academy. As well as teaching and choreographing for established youth theatre groups such as Stage Coach and the British Theatre Academy. Teaching all abilities, all age ranges, all around the UK Billy has developed a real passion for teaching and is incredibly excited to be a founding member of KIPA.
Lakesha Cammock: Acting
Lakesha graduated from the London School of Musical Theatre in 2011.
Since graduating Lakesha has had a successful and varied career in Theatre. Lakesha played the role of ‘Squeak’ in the critically acclaimed London production of ‘The Color Purple’ at the Menier Chocolate Factory which then went on to win 2 Tony Awards in it’s Broadway transfer. She has since been working with the trail-blazing Lazarus Theatre Company as well as the prestigious Birmingham Repertory Theatre.
Previous credits include: Edward The Second (Tristan Bates Theatre); The Caucasian Chalk Circle (Greenwich Theatre); Railway Ball and The Turner Experience (Boss Creative Entertainment); Hot Stuff (Coliseum Theatre); STOMP! (Ambassadors Theatre); 20th Century Boy (UK Tour); The Color Purple (Menier Chocolate Factory); Peter Pan (Manchester Opera House); Praise Singer (Hackney Empire Theatre); Hair (UK and European Tour); Peter Pan (Bristol Hippodrome); Hair (Ljubljana Festival Slovenia); RENT (Bridewell Theatre) and KRUNCH (Talawa Theatre Company).
Dean Johnson: Music, Director
Dean is a Northern Irish director who fell in love with stories, music and empathy while growing up in Belfast in the 90s.
Dean most recently directed the West End production of ‘ONCE’ at the London Palladium starring Carrie Hope Fletcher and will soon be returning to the London Palladium directing the cult classic ‘BAT BOY THE MUSICAL’. A graduate of The Guildford School of Acting, he has directed London productions of "LIFT", “Godspell”, “Dogfight”, “Spring Awakening”, “In The Heights” and Jason Robert Brown’s “13” as well as Digital productions of “BKLYN” and “First Date” for BroadwayHD.
He has also worked or is working on a number of new musical projects such as “Starry”, “Paperboy”, “Patterns” and “Dorian Grey” and has enjoyed working with new generations of artists in various college productions.
He was nominated for a BroadwayWorld award for Best Director for Godspell.