Stephen Preston (Director) is Music & ICT co-ordinator at Williamstown Primary School. He has worked as a professional musician, producer, songwriter and composer for twenty-two years. Stephen has composed music for over fifteen short films and the feature film Reaching Higher, and is currently working with singer-songwriter Rhian Grundy (www.rhiangrundy.com). Stephen has written two shows specifically for Arius: The Line, performed in 2005, and Click, which will be performed in February 2008.

Jen Howlett is a drama teacher at Porthcawl Comprehensive School. She has extensive experience in performing and producing shows. She currently sings with jazz vocalist Rhian Grundy and is part of Mid Rhondda Theatre Company. 

Kay Smith is Head of Department at Llantwit Major Comprehensive School and was previously the director of The Drama Academy in Aberdare. She has a huge amount of experience producing many shows, and has experience in working in film with husband Anthony who runs Tornado Films. Kay is an acomplished performer in her own right singing a wide range of music and working as a studio session singer.

Alex Milton is a very experienced performer and has appeared as the lead in numerous shows including THE WIZ and GREASE. Currently in UWIC training to be a Drama Teacher, Alex has been involved in Drama and Dance companies from a very young age. She quickly progressed through her dance examinations and is an accomplished teacher of all styles and genres. Having been a pupil at Llantwit Major Comprehensive and at The Drama Academy Youth Theatre for several of their productions, Alex was delighted to be asked to take a tutor role as Choreographer of The Academy and worked on their final production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR last June.  She is delighted to be asked to choreograph for ARIUS and looking forward to create funky and challenging routines for a brand new musical – CLICK. Alex and Kay nave become a formidable team over the years with a definite emphasis on encouraging all their students to develop and give their best on stage.

 Jack Spargo  joins us as resident stage manager. Jack has lots of experience on stage but prefers to be behind the scenes with a definite flair for construction and rigging. He has just returned from a tour with The National Youth Theatre of Wales for whom he was DSM and ‘called’ all the show. CAFÉ CARIAD was a very technical show and Jack received great accolades for his work on the new musical performed by the NYTW last summer. Currently studying A Level technical Theatre, Jack has already been snapped up by professional companies and is going to NEW YORK after Christmas with Bridgend Youth Theatre. Jack is known for his straight talking, no nonsense approach but because of his experiences of playing the lead in shows such as DISCO INFERNO has a real understanding of what the actors are going through as well as running the technical side of the show on the night.

Robert Jones is Arius Technical Director. He is the technical manager of the Colisium Theatre, Aberdare, The Park and Dare Theatre, Treorchy, and the Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd. Robert has a huge amount of experience in sound reinforcement, lighting and stage management, as well as being an experienced professional musician.

Luisa Martin is Head of Performing Arts at Tonypandy Community College. She has a great deal of experience producing shows and has worked as an actress in live shows and in television. Luisa has produced Arius performances for the last three years, and is now on maternity leave.

Jenna Martin is a qualified dance tutor and has experience of live performance and choreography. Currently studying drama at Aberystwyth, Jenna provides a valuable contribution to our dance programme at various times throughout the year.