MATT ZINA - PRINCIPAL
Matt Zina is a specialist screen acting coach of 20+ years, casting agent and founder of the internationally acclaimed 'Yorkshire School of Acting' now 'Matt Zina Acting'.
Matt began acting at the age of 8 and has had a professional career spanning 22 years with roles in well-known TV productions such as 'Heartbeat', 'A Touch of Frost', 'Emmerdale', and 'Blood and Peaches'. It is from this career, working with some of the best actors the country has to offer, that he became aware of progressive acting techniques and began researching and specialising.
“For me, it was whilst working professionally that I was able to master modern acting techniques and able to understand the theory behind TV and Film acting techniques that casting directors demand.”
With a coaching record spanning 20 years, he has trained well known actors and has led many people to be working in the industry in high-end Drama's, Adverts, Hollywood Films and Comedies. It is rare to watch TV and not see someone he has trained.
Matt is also an 'on-set' coach and has a CV working with professional actors on well-known productions for BBC/ITV and Films. His most recent production as the Performance and Dialect Coach has just been selected for Cannes Film Festival.
“Understanding the skill of acting for screen is a dedicated life long learning curve”
Matt has now developed the Trinity Acting Method, which is a specialist, pioneering method of acting training that he only teaches to his students at Matt Zina Acting.
Matt has also won a Prestige Award in 2021 for his services to Creative Arts Training.
He regularly puts out content for actors across social media platforms including Instagram @mattzinaacting Facebook @mattzinaacting Twitter @mzacting Snapchat @mattzina and TIKTOK @mattzina
Matt began acting at the age of 8 and has had a professional career spanning 22 years with roles in well-known TV productions such as 'Heartbeat', 'A Touch of Frost', 'Emmerdale', and 'Blood and Peaches'. It is from this career, working with some of the best actors the country has to offer, that he became aware of progressive acting techniques and began researching and specialising.
“For me, it was whilst working professionally that I was able to master modern acting techniques and able to understand the theory behind TV and Film acting techniques that casting directors demand.”
With a coaching record spanning 20 years, he has trained well known actors and has led many people to be working in the industry in high-end Drama's, Adverts, Hollywood Films and Comedies. It is rare to watch TV and not see someone he has trained.
Matt is also an 'on-set' coach and has a CV working with professional actors on well-known productions for BBC/ITV and Films. His most recent production as the Performance and Dialect Coach has just been selected for Cannes Film Festival.
“Understanding the skill of acting for screen is a dedicated life long learning curve”
Matt has now developed the Trinity Acting Method, which is a specialist, pioneering method of acting training that he only teaches to his students at Matt Zina Acting.
Matt has also won a Prestige Award in 2021 for his services to Creative Arts Training.
He regularly puts out content for actors across social media platforms including Instagram @mattzinaacting Facebook @mattzinaacting Twitter @mzacting Snapchat @mattzina and TIKTOK @mattzina
Alan Shires (ADULTS/JR COACH)
Alan Shires Is a British Actor, voice actor, model, mocap artist and all around performer based in Leeds, UK.
Driven by the desire to create a range of powerful character for Animation, video games and screen Alan is certainly a firey go getter!
Having worked in the industry for over 10 years in Theatre, TV, Film and VO Alan is passionate about bringing characters to life no matter what situation or genre.
Working with clients all around the world world from his high spec home studio Alan is able to work with well known brands such as Ford.
Finally, having ran his own classes and having pioneered his own theatrical organisation we are proud to call Alan on of our teachers.
Driven by the desire to create a range of powerful character for Animation, video games and screen Alan is certainly a firey go getter!
Having worked in the industry for over 10 years in Theatre, TV, Film and VO Alan is passionate about bringing characters to life no matter what situation or genre.
Working with clients all around the world world from his high spec home studio Alan is able to work with well known brands such as Ford.
Finally, having ran his own classes and having pioneered his own theatrical organisation we are proud to call Alan on of our teachers.
John Thacker (ADULTS/JR COACH)
John Thacker is an actor, writer, musician and facilitator from Manchester. He has been active since a young age on screen and stage, playing roles in various theatre productions, and film & television roles. Studying his MA at the Academy of Live & Recorded Arts in Professional Acting. He is particularly passionate about diversity on our screens/stage and the representation of the LGBTQ+ community.
Notable stage credits include, new musical 'The Jury' at the Brindley Theatre to a positive response "John Thacker gives a sweet and surprising performance as student Harry Turner, pitching his storyline perfectly.", 'This Much' as part of Manchester Fringe, 'Marathon For You' at the Carriageworks Theatre raising awareness for meningitis, alongside performances at the 'Hope Mill Theatre', and 'The Oldham Coliseum' .
Film/TV credits include a number of reconstructing roles for TV including 'Crimes That Shook Australia' and 'The One Show'; lead roles in well received short films notably thriller 'Blinded', drama 'Reverie', and a supporting role in 'Run Kara' screened as part of Harrogate Film Festival; John stars as the lead role in Amazon Prime horror feature film 'Coven Of Evil' as journalist Joe.
John has also performed for various online videos for 'The Lad Bible', 'GiffGaff', 'Simba Mattresses', ' Gosh!', and has performed as part of various touring theatre groups notably 'Dick Whittington' as the title role for Lada Productions, A-Level awareness show 'Choices' for Soloman Theatre.
Alongside acting John works as a writer, his debut short screenplay 'Downward Seb' was directed by Vijay D. Varu and is currently in post-production aiming for a festival release in 2021. John also plays the title role of Seb. To produce the picture John teamed with up with successful production company Scene 97 , and subsequently co-produced by setting up with own production company Colour Me In Productions. John is working on a feature screenplay and collaborating on various short film screenplay projects. During the Covid-19 lockdown, John wrote 'Solitude' , a series of short films that take place entirely through the medium of a webcam, all three films are available online in which John also directed one of the films and starred the final film 'Occupied' .
John also is an established singer/songwriter. His debut EP 'The Recall' was praised by bloggers and received a play on BBC Introducing, alongside a live performance for UNILAD sound as an artist to watch. He has worked as a vocalist and songwriter for various artists, notable 'Identity' which peaked at #12 on the Italian iTunes chart. John also performs as the vocalist and songwriter for his band 'China Moon', their EP 'Sleep Talking' has been praised by critics, “Manchester three-piece, China Moon, are, I confidently predict, a band you will soon be hearing about on national radio."
Notable stage credits include, new musical 'The Jury' at the Brindley Theatre to a positive response "John Thacker gives a sweet and surprising performance as student Harry Turner, pitching his storyline perfectly.", 'This Much' as part of Manchester Fringe, 'Marathon For You' at the Carriageworks Theatre raising awareness for meningitis, alongside performances at the 'Hope Mill Theatre', and 'The Oldham Coliseum' .
Film/TV credits include a number of reconstructing roles for TV including 'Crimes That Shook Australia' and 'The One Show'; lead roles in well received short films notably thriller 'Blinded', drama 'Reverie', and a supporting role in 'Run Kara' screened as part of Harrogate Film Festival; John stars as the lead role in Amazon Prime horror feature film 'Coven Of Evil' as journalist Joe.
John has also performed for various online videos for 'The Lad Bible', 'GiffGaff', 'Simba Mattresses', ' Gosh!', and has performed as part of various touring theatre groups notably 'Dick Whittington' as the title role for Lada Productions, A-Level awareness show 'Choices' for Soloman Theatre.
Alongside acting John works as a writer, his debut short screenplay 'Downward Seb' was directed by Vijay D. Varu and is currently in post-production aiming for a festival release in 2021. John also plays the title role of Seb. To produce the picture John teamed with up with successful production company Scene 97 , and subsequently co-produced by setting up with own production company Colour Me In Productions. John is working on a feature screenplay and collaborating on various short film screenplay projects. During the Covid-19 lockdown, John wrote 'Solitude' , a series of short films that take place entirely through the medium of a webcam, all three films are available online in which John also directed one of the films and starred the final film 'Occupied' .
John also is an established singer/songwriter. His debut EP 'The Recall' was praised by bloggers and received a play on BBC Introducing, alongside a live performance for UNILAD sound as an artist to watch. He has worked as a vocalist and songwriter for various artists, notable 'Identity' which peaked at #12 on the Italian iTunes chart. John also performs as the vocalist and songwriter for his band 'China Moon', their EP 'Sleep Talking' has been praised by critics, “Manchester three-piece, China Moon, are, I confidently predict, a band you will soon be hearing about on national radio."
Stuart Piper (ADULTS/JR COACH)
Stuart has worked on most sides of the acting industry, first as a child to young adult actor, growing up on film sets from early childhood into his early 20’s (TV & film credits on IMDB). He appeared in feature films, TV series, in the West End, and on national tour.
In his mid 20’s he moved into theatre production (general managing and/or producing Pixie Lott in Breakfast at Tiffanys, Brian Dennehy in Death of a Salesman, Nicholas Hoult in New Boy all in the West End) and then worked as an agent for over a decade at Cole Kitchenn/InterTalent representing series regulars in Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, a couple of Dame’s and even two of the Spice Girls!
He retired from agenting in 2018 to explore filmmaking while working in education. In Film, he has been a small part of two feature films as Executive Producer: The Time of Their Lives (Amazon Prime) starring Pauline Collins and Mrs Lowry & Son (Netflix) starring Timothy Spall. And in Education, he has directed & coached actors across the UK, and is delighted to join Matt Zina’s team having moved to Yorkshire to live nearer family, while becoming based at York St John University.
In his mid 20’s he moved into theatre production (general managing and/or producing Pixie Lott in Breakfast at Tiffanys, Brian Dennehy in Death of a Salesman, Nicholas Hoult in New Boy all in the West End) and then worked as an agent for over a decade at Cole Kitchenn/InterTalent representing series regulars in Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife, a couple of Dame’s and even two of the Spice Girls!
He retired from agenting in 2018 to explore filmmaking while working in education. In Film, he has been a small part of two feature films as Executive Producer: The Time of Their Lives (Amazon Prime) starring Pauline Collins and Mrs Lowry & Son (Netflix) starring Timothy Spall. And in Education, he has directed & coached actors across the UK, and is delighted to join Matt Zina’s team having moved to Yorkshire to live nearer family, while becoming based at York St John University.