MA Theatre for Community and Education 2025/26

Nikita Beales

Nikita (She/Her) is a creative facilitator, applied theatre practitioner, and trained actor. She is the founder of Ruckus Theatre, a community arts CIC that creates participatory projects for women, girls, and non-binary people. Through creative practice, she brings people together to connect, share experiences, and explore issues that matter to them.
As a queer practitioner, Nikita’s work is shaped by a decolonial feminist approach. She is interested in how creative spaces can nurture wellbeing, build community, and create opportunities for marginalised voices.
Her practice sits at the intersection of arts, health, and social change, and she is particularly passionate about developing collaborative ways of working that bring these sectors together. She believes in the power of creativity to spark dialogue, strengthen connections, and support collective change.
 
BA (Hons) Acting – St Mary’s University

Rhiannon Ray

Rhiannon is a theatre educator and facilitator dedicated to making high quality performing arts training accessible to children and young people. As the Founder and Principal of Presto Performing Arts, Rhiannon leads a thriving performing arts school for young people, delivering training in acting, singing and dance within a supportive and inclusive environment. Through Presto, Rhiannon has produced large-scale musical theatre productions, with students performing at The Epsom Playhouse every two years and at Disneyland Paris every three years. 

Passionate about the transformative power of theatre, Rhiannon believes performing arts and applied theatre can build confidence, creativity and lifelong skills. Her work focuses on nurturing young performers while creating meaningful opportunities for artistic expression and community engagement.

  • Foundation Degree in Musical Theatre, Arts Educational Schools London
  • ATCL Diploma in Teaching (Distinction), Performance Preparation Academy Guildford
  • MA Theatre for Community and Education, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
  • Founder and Principal, Presto Performing Arts

Becci Smith

Becci Smith is an educator, community arts facilitator, arts project manager, literature festival programmer and Dungeon Master who specialises in collaborative storytelling and arts for wellbeing.
As a freelancer, Becci regularly works with The Watermill Theatre, Corn Exchange Newbury, National Literacy Trust, Stratford Literary Festival, Reach Inclusive Arts and Cheltenham Festivals.
 
  • MA Theatre for Community and Education – Mountview-2026
  • PGCE Primary – University of Reading – 2014
  • BA Music – University of Southampton – 2013
 

Francesca Tudor-Whelan

Francesca (She/Her) is a facilitator, educator and theatre practitioner specialising in KS1 and KS2 learning. After studying A Levels at ArtsEd, Francesca completed a BA in Theatre and Drama Studies at Birkbeck, University of London, before undertaking an MA in Theatre for Community and Education at Mountview.

Passionate about the role of theatre in education and community engagement, Francesca has worked across numerous London schools, designing and delivering creative learning experiences that build confidence, communication and collaboration. Alongside this, she teaches LAMDA to primary-aged students, supporting young people in developing performance and public speaking skills.

Francesca is currently the ATG Entertainment Inspire Assistant – West End, coordinating projects, facilitating workshops and working with community groups to promote access to careers and opportunities within the theatre industry. Her practice is rooted in creating inclusive, participant-centred experiences that empower individuals through creativity.

Throughout her career, Francesca has collaborated with organisations including Lyric Hammersmith, Mountview, ATG Entertainment, Clean Break, London Heritage Quarter, Big Ideas and Little Voices. She is particularly interested in creating accessible theatre experiences that connect communities, inspire participation and broaden engagement with the arts.