Our Team
Meet the talented team behind Castle Theatre Academy. Bringing together experience across dance, theatre, singing and performance, our teachers are passionate about developing confident, skilled and creative young performers in a positive and supportive environment.
Emily Mc Keown
We are delighted to welcome Emily to our teaching team in 2026. Emily began dancing in Portadown at just two years old and has trained with Ballet Boost, RAD, Elmhurst and The Royal Ballet School, as well as performing with Monica Loughman and English Youth Ballet.
A graduate of Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Emily holds RAD Advanced 2 Ballet and ARAD status, alongside qualifications in ballet, modern, contemporary and tap. She is also a certified Level 3 Progressing Ballet Technique teacher and holds LCM Diplomas in Musical Theatre and Speech & Drama.
Emily has also worked professionally as a freelance dancer, including performing an original pointe duet at the Austrian Embassy Ball in London.
Teacher /Choreographer 
Orla Graham
Teacher / Vocal Coach Castle Theatre Academy is delighted to welcome Orla Graham, who will be taking the lead on our After School Programmes.
A graduate of The Lir National Academy of Dramatic Art, Orla has been working professionally as an actor for almost a decade, performing across Ireland, the UK, Australia and Belgium. Her extensive stage credits include Float, Two Fingers Up, Re-Mix, Rapunzel, Beauty and the Beast and Robin Hood, alongside work with companies including Replay Theatre Company and Prime Cut Productions.
Orla is also an experienced drama teacher, having taught speech and drama, acting, dance and family programmes since 2016.
We’re thrilled to have Orla bringing her professional experience, creativity and energy to Castle Theatre Academy’s After School Programmes!
Suzie Mcnutt
Castle Theatre Arts is delighted to welcome Suzie McNutt to the team! Suzie will be teaching at some of our after-school programmes, and we’re so excited to have her on board.
Suzie is an actor and Performing Arts teacher from Belfast who has been performing since the age of nine. By 18, she had achieved her LAMDA Diploma in Acting and Associate of the London College of Music in Musical Theatre Performance. She has since continued her professional training with National Youth Theatre, Rose Bruford, Frantic Assembly and The Lir Theatre, Dublin.
Her recent performance credits include The Wonderful World of Dissocia at The Lir Academy, the UK Tour of An Inspector Calls, Amélie, Mr Christmas, Footloose and Spring Awakening.
Alongside performing, Suzie teaches Musical Theatre, speech, drama and acting, including preparing young people for LAMDA graded exams and performances. Her recent teaching work includes Belfast School of Performing Arts, The Rainbow Factory and CAST School of Speech and Drama.
Suzie brings fantastic professional experience and a real passion for helping young performers grow in confidence and develop their skills. We’re thrilled to have her joining Castle Theatre Arts!
Teacher