Susi Earnshaw founded the Susi Earnshaw Theatre School in 1989. She and her husband David run the full-time school, which is based in Barnet, North London and recently chatted with Susan Elkin.
Have you always been interested in theatre? I was three when I first performed on stage – I sang and danced my way through “Me and My Teddy Bear” with my ballet class. The first time I knew I was in love with the theatre was when, aged 12, I saw an RSC Henry V at Stratford. All I ever wanted was to be an actress, but I didn’t tell anyone because I thought it was silly. No-one I knew was like me. I didn’t know drama colleges existed and I thought only the sons and daughters of famous actors became actors. I left school at 16, but never stayed long in any job, telling myself I was people watching for my later career as an actress or writer. I loved learning, did A-levels in English Literature, Sociology, Law, and British Government and Politics at evening classes. I also gained my LLAM teaching qualification.
What was the turning point? I overheard two people on a bus talking about drama colleges, so I went to the library and did my research and auditioned. I had several offers but chose the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff because it felt right. After graduation, I worked mainly in rep and was a barmaid or waitress when “resting”.
But you didn’t act for long did you? Acting professionally soon palled because I wanted to be in control of my life. I discovered that it was the rehearsal process I enjoyed the most because I liked to see the play come to life. Needing a steady job, by chance and luck, I became a reporter on my local paper and within three years was Features Editor, but soon realised that I belong in the entertainment industry. So I took a job as an assistant to Rolf Kruger, theatrical agent in Regent’s Street. Thus I came from a small Lancashire village to working in London’s West End.
How did SETS come about? After the birth of my first son in 1989, I compiled a list of everything I enjoyed doing and came up with the idea of starting a Saturday morning Theatre School combined with a Children’s Theatrical Agency. The Enterprise Allowance Scheme enabled me to do it and Susi Earnshaw Theatre School was born. Ten years later when my son had been diagnosed as being severely dyslexic, I opened the full time academic school in a church hall in North London with just five students aged 10 – 16 years. My plan was just to get my son Joseph through school and out the other end – for him to acquire self-belief and understand that he could do anything he wanted to. Joseph later trained in stage management at LAMDA and now travels the world as a freelance LED technician and lighting designer.
And today? Our 40 students are aged 9 – 16 years and we take a maximum of 10 in each class/year group. We have two head teachers, one for academic subjects and one for vocational and pastoral care. The week is split into three academic and two vocational days. We offer all the core GCSE subjects and all our Year 11 students gained over 5 GCSEs including English and Maths last year. They also study ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and street dance on vocational days, as well as acting, theatre history, singing and musical theatre.
How has the school changed and developed? In 1992 we moved to the wonderful Bull Theatre in Barnet, a well-loved Barnet landmark, with lots of space to accommodate separate classrooms for all year groups as well as our lovely theatre and recording studios. We saved The Bull from being developed into flats and re-opened it. Now it’s a fully working theatre in the evenings and at weekends.
Give some examples of student outcomes? Some go on to performance careers but many more use their skills to travel different paths. One did a Media degree and is now assistant to the International Editor of Hello magazine, another studied Law, but now manages two Arsenal footballers. Two of my girls have formed their own very successful professional dance companies and several others run children’s classes and agencies. Another gained an MA in Theatre Production and invites me to see his shows. Our vocational head teacher is one of our graduates too. Colleges our students have progressed to include GSA, LAMDA, Rose Bruford, Central, Trinity Laban and The Place.
How have you juggled it all with raising four sons? I really can’t remember how I juggled motherhood with the massive amount of time I have spent running the school, staging shows and running an agency. My husband shared looking after the boys and eventually came into the business. The boys were just always with us. If they wanted a hobby I would just start a class in whatever they wanted to do and get others to come to it, so I could stay at school and keep working whilst they were occupied in another room. They’re all grown up now and I have a lovely two-year-old granddaughter.
What are your future plans for the school? Last year I asked Daisy and Dukes Agency to represent all my pupils so I could concentrate on developing their career paths whilst in school. This September we launch our Music School, offering after-school instrumental classes and encouraging children to perform at our regular Open Mic Nights.