Sarah Dean - Principal
Sarah Dean trained at The Arts Educational School in Chiswick and then went on to become a professional dancer performing in the UK, Europe, Japan & America. Sarah founded DAPA in 1998. In addition to overseeing the running of three performing arts academies she is one of Britain's busiest professional choreographers. Her close connections with the professional theatre gives DAPA a unique opportunity to prepare ambitious students for careers in the theatre, and gives all pupils the chance to appear on big stages in real theatres. During the last twelve months Sarah has been responsible for several professional productions including one of the country's top pantomimes Aladdin at The New Wimbledon Theatre starring Brian Blessed, Pamela Anderson, Paul O'Grady, Anita Dobson and Ruby Wax, and of course her own production Celtic Journey - the hugely successful Irish Dance show which played at The Churchill Theatre, Bromley, and which is scheduled to tour the UK in 2012.
For the last five years Sarah has also been the Dance Co-ordinator for First Family Entertainment, the country's leading producer of pantomimes. She has overall responsibility for four hundred dancers and twelve top choreographers. This coming Christmas season Sarah has overall control for the dancers at Brighton Theatre Royal, Bristol Hippodrome, Bromley Churchill Theatre, Glasgow Kings, Liverpool Empire, Manchester Opera House, Milton Keynes, Richmond Theatre, Stoke Regent Theatre, Sunderland Empire, Wimbledon Theatre and Woking New Victoria. Sarah will choreograph London's biggest pantomime at The New Wimbledon Theatre.
Like most DAPA students, Sarah began dancing as a very young child at her local dance school. She was born in North London and started attending classes from the age of two. Her family moved to Bedford when she was ten, and a whole new range of dance opportunities opened up. Her best friend at school was Irish, and before long they were attending Irish Dance classes together. Sarah achieved National Champion status, and acquired a skill that would one day see her land a leading role in Spirit of the Dance in the USA. However, back in Bedford she kept up her ballet, tap and modern, and her obvious talents steered her towards the career of a professional dancer. She trained for the stage at Arts Educational School in Chiswick. Even before graduation contracts flowed. As a performer Sarah appeared in numerous productions in Britain, Ireland, Europe and Japan. By 1994 she had established a base in East Kent and her close association with the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury began. She appeared in the next eight pantomimes, and played Tiger Lily in Peter Pan opposite Toyah Willcox and Dave Willetts. Between stage roles, she can list many television credits including EastEnders, Dangerfield and Family Affairs. After a highly successful career as a professional dancer, she began choreographing fourteen years ago.
As a choreographer Sarah was responsible for ten pantomimes at The Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, before moving on to the Milton Keynes Theatre. She choreographed celebrated productions of Oliver! starring Ron Moody as Fagin, Annie with Vicki Michelle, The Wizard of Oz starring Stephen Gately, Peter Pan starring Brian Blessed, and The Mystery Plays in Canterbury Cathedral with Edward Woodward playing God. Sarah is also the Artistic Director and Choreographer for the St Margarets Festival Ballet - producing full scale ballets with stunning sets and beautiful costumes - giving local children the chance to work with professional ballet dancers. In between all these shows, she can be found at 4pm most days at the Landmark Centre in Deal, St Edmunds in Dover or The Prince of Wales in Canterbury working with the students at DAPA!