Stephen trained as a teacher of drama, speech and movement at Trinity and All Saints’ College, University of Leeds. After qualifying, he studied with Eliner Rutherford.
As well as being responsible for drama at the schools in which he worked, he also taught pupils of all ages and abilities privately, from complete beginners to Licentiate (RAM) and Fellowship (LCM) level.
Since retiring from headship in July 2007, he has been appointed as an examiner for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and is an adjudicator for The British and International Federation of Festivals.
Stephen has been praised for his adjudications, delivering encouragement both through his vocabulary used and general demeanour, whatever the age and ability of the performers. His feature in the BIFF Signature Film aptly captures his capacity to sit on the floor with the performers and give them encouragement.
Apart from adjudication, Stephen has been supportive of the Championship in both the Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire and also the North West Regional areas. This competition gives an opportunity to winners from all the Festivals in the Region to come together, winners in each category receiving a trophy and a cheque. Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire Region instituted this Championship in 1993, and every other year up to the pandemic. Stephen has given freely of his time and expertise for the last six Championships, and has also adjudicated for the North West.
Stephen also served on the Adjudicators’ Council as a Speech and Drama Deputy from 2015-2018.