Faculty

Principal Emerita

Betty Laine OBE

“Miss Betty Laine OBE has inspired generations of students who have made a major impact on the theatre industry. She has provided guidance, support and inspiration to staff and students for over 40 years, underpinned by hard work and great leadership. Her knowledge and depth of experience has created a legacy for Laine Theatre Arts, which will ensure that her wisdom is embodied in the ethos and culture of the college as it moves forwards to its next stage of development.” – Professor Mark Hunt, Chair of Governors

Principal and Artistic Director

Matt Cole

Matt is the 2023 winner of the Gillian Lynn Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreography, The What’s On Stage Award and the Broadway World Award for his work on Newsies, London. Matt was previously nominated for a Best Theatre Choreography Olivier Award for his work on Fiddler On The Roof, London. Matt has also one the Off West End Award for Best Theatre Choreography for his work on Police Cops.

Upcoming shows include Here and Now (The Steps Musical), The Baker’s Wife (Menier Chocolate Factory) A Knight’s Tale (West End).

Matt is an alumnus of Laine Theatre Arts. After graduating he enjoyed a prominent career as a performer in the West End, Tour and Internationally. He has lectured in many of the top performing arts institutions as both a teacher, examiner, director, and Choreographer.

As a director and choreographer his recent credits include; JERRY’S GIRLS (Menier Chocolate Factory); POLICE COPS (Edinburgh Fringe Festival); ROMAN HOLIDAY (Bath Theatre Royal); NEWSIES (Director and Choreographer); IDENTICAL (The Parent Trap musical Directed by  Sir Trevor Nunn) and FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS (UK Tour); WARHOL (Workshop Directed by Sir Trevor Nunn);TABOO (In concert at the Palladium Theatre London); FISHERMAN’S FRIENDS (World Premiere 2021); BERLIN BERLIN (Germany); LOVESICK (Theatre J Washington DC); PARADE (NYMT); OKLAHOMA (Chichester Festival Theatre); AMOUR (The Charing Cross Theatre); FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (The Menier Chocolate Factory and the Playhouse Theatre West End); FLASHDANCE (UK and international Tour); FOOTLOOSE (UK and International Tour); LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (UK and International Tour);THE BEAUTIFUL GAME (NYMT); THE SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS (The Royal Academy of Music); THE NIGHT PIRATES (UK Tour); THE PRODUCERS (China and Asian Tour).

Directing credits include: Associate Director on CARMEN LA CUBANA, (Sadlers Wells); Resident Director on The Railway Children (King’s Cross Theatre); Resident Director on West Side Story (UK Tour).

Executive Director

Harry Hughes

Harry is an alumni of Laine Theatre Arts and has moved up within the college to become the Executive Director. He first returned to the college as the Head of Marketing and joined the senior leadership team as ‘Head of HR’, having trained in HR and business management at the CIPD. After four years in this role, in February 2023 he was appointed the Executive Director of Laine Theatre Arts.