{"id":1414,"date":"2014-02-27T16:33:44","date_gmt":"2014-02-27T16:33:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/preview.ab-themes.com\/dzen\/?page_id=1414"},"modified":"2026-03-25T18:05:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T18:05:50","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About Me"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"dnd_section_dd padding-none\" style=\"\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"dnd_section_content\"><div class=\"dnd_container\"><div class=\"dnd_column_dd_span12 padding-none\"> <div class=\"dnd-animo \" data-animation=\"none\" data-duration=\"1000\" data-delay=\"0\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ABOUT-ME-3-scaled.png\" alt=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>\n<section class=\"dnd_section_dd \" style=\"\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"dnd_section_content\"><div class=\"dnd_container\"><div class=\"dnd_column_dd_span8 \"> <\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>I am a qualified Speech and Drama facilitator since 2006, with a BA Honours in Professional Performance, the LLAM Licentiate Teacher\u2019s Qualification from LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art), and a Diploma in Professional Acting from Trinity College London. A graduate of Drama Studio London\u2014a Federation of Drama Schools member\u2014Helena received formal training in Professional Acting for Theatre, Film, and Radio.<\/p>\n<p>With a lifelong love for the Arts, I began performing at a young age and have devoted my career to sharing this passion. I take great joy in&nbsp;coaching&nbsp;children and adults of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds, inspiring them to explore their unique creativity. My teaching journey has taken me across the globe, with&nbsp;international&nbsp;experience in Dubai, Cyprus, and the UK since 2006. With over 18 years of teaching, my mission has remained the same: to inspire my students to reach their goals while fostering a love for self-expression, creativity, self-development, and self-belief.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>I have been coaching individuals of all ages and experience levels in acting, helping them unlock their potential and achieve their goals. Supporting others in fulfilling their aspirations has always been my passion. I take immense pride in witnessing my students&#8217; growth, both creatively and personally, as they explore the transformative power of the theatrical arts. Having experienced the benefits of exposure to the performing arts from an early age, I understand how it shapes&nbsp;self-assurance, communication, and creativity. These skills have positively influenced my career and enriched my interactions in everyday life. My goal is to share these benefits with my students, empowering them to thrive both on and off the stage.<\/p>\n<p>In 2007, I founded <a title=\"Centre Stage Productions\" href=\"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/stage-productions\/\">Centre Stage Productions<\/a>, specialising in high-quality children\u2019s musicals touring from London\u2019s West End theatre district. Since then, I have focused on organising enriching events for children in the United Arab Emirates. I cherish the opportunity to watch young audiences experience the magic of live theatre and recognise its profound impact\u2014enhancing their understanding of literature and nurturing an appreciation for cultural arts.<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"dnd_column_dd_span4  dnd-animo\" data-animation=\"fadeInLeft\" data-duration=\"1000\" data-delay=\"0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"dnd_team_member\"><div class=\"dnd_overlayed\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/helena-panayis-photo.jpg\" alt=\"Helena Panayis\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"dnd_overlay\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span class=\"dnd_team_member_name\">Helena Panayis<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"dnd_team_member_position\">Managing Director<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"dnd-button dnd-button_normal dnd-button_small\">More ...<\/a><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><div class=\"dnd_team_member_social_under\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/helena-panayis-0635882b\/\" target=\"_blank\"><i class=\"ABdev_icon-linkedin\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"mailto:helena@centrestage-arts.com\"><i class=\"ABdev_icon-emailalt\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Centre-Stage-Arts-232882296762184\/timeline\/\" target=\"_blank\"><i class=\"ABdev_icon-facebook\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/centre_stage_arts\/\" target=\"_blank\"><i class=\"ABdev_icon-instagram\"><\/i><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>\n<section class=\"dnd_section_dd \" style=\"\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"dnd_section_content\"><div class=\"dnd_container\">\n<div class=\"dnd_column_dd_span3 \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" style=\"width: 300px !important; float: right;\" src=\"..\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/header-logo-v.png\" alt=\"Centre Stage Arts logo about section\" width=\"300\" height=\"356\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"dnd_column_dd_span9 \">\n<strong>Qualifications<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>BA Honours in Professional Performance<\/li>\n<li>LLAM &#8211; LAMDA Teachers&#8217; Licentiate<\/li>\n<li>Graduate of Drama Studio London<\/li>\n<li>Trinity Diploma in Professional Acting<\/li>\n<li>CPCC &#8211; Certified Professional Co-Active Coach<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\nWhether you\u2019re looking to prepare for an audition, improve your public speaking, or simply build your confidence, my sessions are designed to inspire, challenge, and support you every step of the way.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>\n<section class=\"dnd_section_dd \" style=\"\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"dnd_section_content\"><div class=\"dnd_container\"><div class=\"dnd_column_dd_span12 \"><h3 class=\"margin-none\"><span><strong>TESTIMONIALS<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t<div class=\"ABt_testimonials_wrapper \">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ABt_navigation\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ABt_prev\">&lt;<\/a> <a href=\"#\" class=\"ABt_next\">&gt;<\/a><\/div>\n\t\t\t<ul class=\"ABt_testimonials_slide\" data-play=\"1\" data-fx=\"crossfade\" data-easing=\"quadratic\" data-direction=\"left\" data-duration=\"1000\" data-pauseonhover=\"immediate\" data-timeoutduration=\"5000\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"testimonials_item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"testimonial_big\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Since my daughter attended Centre Stage classes her confidence has improved leap and bounds! She can\u2019t wait to get to her classes and leaves filled with energy and enthusiasm.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"source\"><a class=\"ABt_author\" href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\">Judy Holmes<\/a>  <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"testimonials_item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"testimonial_big\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Vigorous, refreshing, encouraging, welcoming and above all a life lesson which kept my \u2018spark\u2019 and passion for the dramatic arts alive\u2026Having had no experience as a drama student I decided to enroll at Centre stage classes, in the hope of gaining more experience in the field of dramatic arts. I can safely say that the classes offered me a lot more than just good skill and technique\u2026they were in fact life changing in so many ways. I never once recall a moment of entering the class feeling tense or insecure \u2013 instead I would feel alive and bubbling with excitement whether it was to begin our group activities or to dive into a Shakespearean monologue or a contemporary improvised piece of drama. The most important thing that I have gained from my lessons at Centre stage\u2026was \u2018belief\u2019. I had someone who trained me; teaching me to always strive to do my best and to always believe in myself. I am utterly certain that without my training here I would never have reached where I did. It prepared me for rigorous auditions in London at conservatoires such as LAMDA (London academy of dramatic arts) and RADA (Royal academy of Dramatic Arts) where I have now earned a place\u2026and all I can say now is a very big thank you for helping me build the foundation to my training and for giving me advice I shall never forget.\r\n\r\n<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"source\"><a class=\"ABt_author\" href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\">Ioanna Kimbook<\/a>  <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"testimonials_item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"testimonial_big\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Helena\u2019s professionalism in teaching, encouragement and constructive feedback in every lesson has nurtured Jonathan\u2019s confidence, articulation, and stage presence. We're very grateful for the positive impact on both academic and personal development.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"source\"><a class=\"ABt_author\" href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\">Joy Yang<\/a>  <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<li class=\"testimonials_item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"testimonial_big\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>As a student new to the LAMDA curriculum, starting with the Silver Medal (Grade 7) in Verse and Prose was a daunting and stressful task. Thankfully, with Helena\u2019s patient guidance and advice, I achieved a Distinction in the exam, exceeding my expectations. With her continued teaching, I later went on to achieve another Distinction in my Gold Medal (Grade 8) Verse and Prose exam, which I am incredibly grateful for. My parents and I greatly appreciate Helena\u2019s dedication and skill as a teacher - I would not have been able to achieve such excellent results without her. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"source\"><a class=\"ABt_author\" href=\"#\" target=\"_blank\">Jonathan Yang<\/a>  <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"page-no-container.php","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"yst_prominent_words":[119,114,112,116,117,121,115,122],"class_list":["post-1414","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1414"}],"version-history":[{"count":145,"href":"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5790,"href":"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1414\/revisions\/5790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.centrestage-arts.com\/csa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=1414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}