The WYT Team

Bruce was a member of WYT from 1985 to 1991 and is delighted to be able to bring together a team of ex members to relaunch the youth theatre.

Since 2004 Bruce has been a figure in the local business community and has used his contacts, marketing experience and powers of persuasion to bring about the resurection of this much-loved institution.

Bruce has experience in sales, marketing and media production including film and video. He has acted in many local theatre productions as well as the occasional TV and film appearance.

At one point or another, Bruce has worked in most aspects of theatre production, including director, musical director, stage manager, prop maker, set design and construction, sound designer and lighting op.

He will be leading the WYT summer film projects and looks forward to working with, in his words, "the next generation".

Gary's association with Woking Youth Theatre began in 2019 when his eldest son joined the cast of Little Shop of Horrors. Forward wind four years and he is pleased to be joining this wonderful charitable organisation as a trustee. His background is in education, primarily as a teacher of Mathematics. Born and raised in Surrey, Gary has worked at Gordon’s School since 1998 as both Head of Mathematics and Head of Gravesend House.

Gary cites one of the benefits of working in a school is that he has been able to continue his passion for sport and music alongside many of the young people he works with. Currently, he is coaching football, as well as playing the saxophone in the Concert Band and singing with the school choir.

Gary hopes his pastoral experience will be beneficial to WYT on both a practical and strategic level.

Aly Duff started, as most industry professionals do, performing in local theatre productions (including WYT) and has developed her career into providing artist development, vocal tuition and stage craft for over three decades. Her career covers professional contemporary dancer with StopGAP to singer in a variety of bands to choreography for production houses and live shows as well as a bit of acting thrown in.

She also has extensive experience supporting developing artists and providing valuable expert advice to both bands and artists as well as coaching in both artist development and vocal training and performance.

Her work with the Academy of Contemporary Music has also given her the opportunity to work and perform alongside:

• Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
• Sam Brown
• Mark Richardson (Feeder/Skunk Anansie)
• Mark Taylor (Elton John, Simple Minds)
• Pete Friesen (Alice Cooper)
• Paul Geary (Nik Kershaw)

Jo has been involved in local theatre since 1990 and joined WYT that summer to assist stage manage a production of Chekov’s Three Sisters. It was during this production she met her future husband, Bruce.

Unlike her husband who will only go on stage when the lights are on, Jo is much happier behind the scenes, only venturing on stage in a blackout to change scenery when she can’t be seen! 

She continued to stage manage productions for various local theatre companies, taking time out to raise their amazing children, Alex and Juliet (Lettie), both of whom are now members of WYT.

Jo was over the moon when Bruce decided to resurrect WYT in 2019. She is extremely proud of what he has achieved and for the opportunities he is giving local budding young actors. Her biggest pleasure has been to see these fabulous young actors shine on stage and to have done her part to make this happen in both the musicals and Woking Drama Festival entries over the last few years. She is very much looking forward to being involved with all the exciting times ahead for WYT.

Sarah has been a professional musician for over 25 years and has extensive experience in touring and live work across the UK, Europe and Russia. One of the highlights of her career was performing at Glastonbury in 2008 on the Pyramid Stage with 80’s musical legend Shakin’ Stevens.

Sarah has been working as a backing singer for Shaky since 2008 and has appeared with him on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing’s Christmas special as well as ITV’s Dancing on Ice. Numerous tours with Shaky have included his 30th anniversary tour which took the band on a 60 date tour around the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Other live performances have included BBC’s Children in Need and Radio 2’s Paul Jones blues show.

In 2022, Sarah performed with Shaky on a 6 date UK arena tour as special guests of Status Quo; the final date being at Wembley Arena! This was a bucket list moment!

Other career credits include singing backing vocals for ex ‘Smokie’s’ Chris Norman across Europe as well taking part in the 70th birthday celebrations of guitar legend Albert Lee performing with Andy Fairweather Low, Bill Wyman and meeting Bob Harris!

Sarah also fronts an 8-piece Motown and Soul band called The Tamla Tigers performing at weddings, functions and private gigs. She is also the vocalist with The Sidewinder Big Band, The Fabulous Nobodies and SoulSwing all based in Cranleigh, Surrey.

As well as her love for singing and performing Sarah is also an experienced vocal teacher. She has been actively involved for 20 years at a music college based in Guildford teaching to diploma and degree level. She visits local schools as a peripatetic teacher delivering 1-1 vocal lessons.

Catherine has always been around the theatre and when she was little she thought all families had a theatre!

Since her late father, David Hawksworth, set up Woking Youth Theatre and Woking Drama Association she has been involved - whether it be on the stage in the chorus or helping back stage with make up, costumes and props.

Catherine has a BA Hons in Early Years and is currently working for Hampshire County Council part of the Children’s Services team.

Catherine has two young children who are always singing and dancing!!! We are all looking forward in being involved with the second generation Woking Youth theatre... we will do you proud Dad!