About Theatretrain Winchester
Building Confidence & Training The Next Generation Of Performers…
Meet the Theatretrain Winchester team
Learn more about our team and get to know what we’re all about.
Viki Sarker
Company Director
Hello, I am the Company Director here at Theatretrain Winchester. I am really excited to officially launch this centre from September 2026.
Since a young age I have always loved to keep busy and active and loved the performing arts. With over 20 years experience in the dance and performing arts industry I was so excited when this opportunity arose and I cannot wait to bring the Theatretrain way to Winchester.
Why Theatretrain with me?
I not only run my own dance school in Winchester ‘Sarker Danceworks’ I have also been the active Centre Director of another centre – Theatretrain Southampton, since January 2025. This was after working for the company as a Drama teacher since September 2023. When this unexpected opportunity that came my way of starting a new centre I wanted to do all I can to bring this to life and will of course continue to do so!
I truly believe that performing comes from true soul, passion and freedom. I always say that being YOU really is your super power. To me, nothing beats that feeling of being free and bringing your own flair to the performing arts world. Each person has their own aura and I love to discover and nurture this as well as self belief in each of my students.
Theatretrain Winchester will be a place where children enjoy their professional theatre training in a fun and creative way, whilst performing in a safe, welcoming and inspiring environment.
Ella Smith
Main Company
Dance teacher and Choreographer
Ella has been dancing since she was 3 years old, starting with predominantly ballet and modern and diversifying into contemporary and commercial styles into adulthood. For Ella, dance is a passion and creative outlet, a place to express herself and move her body to connect with music. Dance is a form of escapism from her day job as a Clinic Manager and Health and Wellbeing Physiologist where she has worked since graduating from the university of Exeter in 2022 with a First Class BSc Honours in Human biosciences. Her day job in healthcare has highlighted the importance of dance as a way to look after her own health both physically and mentally. Ella has been a member of adult dance company Junction K based in Surrey, where she has been part of the National qualifying team competing at ‘Can You Dance’ competition. Being a part of the Junction K family has also enabled Ella to relive her love of performing with dance shows both in the UK and abroad, including appearances at Copenhagen Pride. Ella is excited to begin her journey with TheatreTrain Winchester and pass on her love for dance to the next generation. Ella provides a warm, welcoming space for everyone to feel comfortable to be their amazing selves.
Jan Lyon
Main Company
Acting coach
Jan is a professional performer having worked as a singer as well as in film and theatre in both America and England.
Jan is a passionate teacher, believing that building confidence should underpin everything she does. Jan is the Founding Principal of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Farnham, running this successful Performing Arts School from 1999 until 2013. Jan was Head of Drama at a prep school in Winchester, Hampshire from 2016 to 2023 and Co-Principal of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Reading West from 2013 to 2022. Jan co-founded MovieMakers!! film-making holiday workshops. She is a great asset to the team and is an experienced singing teacher. Jan has taught for various performing arts schools and successfully prepared numerous students of all ages and abilities for LAMDA Examinations, Auditions, Speeches, Presentations and GCSE and A Level Practical examinations.
Casey Tufnell
Main Company
Singing teacher
Rebecca Louise Austin
Acting, Singing and Dancing lead for the Junior Ensemble. – Minis
Rebecca is a creative soul, inspired by the beauty of performance in all forms, looking to spread the message of hope and light through acting and movement. New to the realm of teaching, She has been a training actress for quite some time, having graduated from the University of Winchester in October 2026 with a Bachelor’s degree in Acting. Furthermore, she has possession of both a GCSE and an A-Level in Drama Studies, having participated in various musical performances in between, teaching herself vocals, drums and guitar. Additionally, her work in design plays a big role in the progression of her craft, especially as it comes closer to showtime, allowing the little ones to feel happy and comfortable to play with the different textures of props and costumes!
Rebecca is very excited to start this new journey with Thearetrain as she will be learning alongside the minis, hoping to spread the love of performance to everyone she meets. The goal is to encourage confidence and entertain the beautiful intricacies of our brains, aiming to further solidify the identities of the minis developing minds.
Megan Hinton
Minis Assistant
More information to come
Immie Crabtree
Cover teacher and assistant
Immie is an acting, singing, and dance teacher and performer. She trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, where she graduated in 2022, and has been in a number of films and TV series. Main credits include: Call The Midwife (BBC), Made in Chelsea (Channel 4), Greatest Days (Prime), Never Let Me Go (Disney), and Better Man (Paramount), where she worked with the director of The Greatest Showman! When she’s not performing, Immie is busy running her own business, Imagination Time Studio, where she coaches 1:1 singing, acting, piano and guitar lessons, as well doing parties and events. On top of this, Immie works for 4 different theatre companies as a performing arts facilitator.
Learn Genuine Theatre Principles While You Make Friends At Theatretrain Winchester
The Theatretrain Way puts theatre back into the performing arts. Along with technical performance skills in acting, singing and dancing, young people get the chance to release their creativity in a safe and friendly place. Here, in an environment nurturing confidence and empathy, our students can expand to be more than they ever thought they could be. Our aim isn’t just to create better performers, but to help your children reach their full potential.
We Create The Welcoming Environment Where Aspiring Performers Thrive
Gain Skills For All Aspects Of Life, Not Just The Big Stage.
The Theatretrain Story
Theatretrain was founded on the belief that the performing arts should be accessible to everyone, no matter their age, skill or ability. Our large-scale productions are unique to Theatretrain and invite our students to enjoy the learning experience and be a part of something bigger than themselves.
The world’s your stage at Theatretrain Winchester!
See our session times and book your initial taster below…
