Paul McCracken has been involved in theatre and performance since he was 11, taking leading roles in Joseph, The Boyfriend and Grease, to name a few.
Although a keen performer, Paul always wanted to direct and work with young people to harness and develop their performance skills.
Paul studied teaching at University of Wales Institute Cardiff where he focused on drama for 11-18 year olds. Since leaving university, Paul has had 8 years experience teaching both drama and music in the United Kingdom and a leading international college in the Middle East. His passion for directing has flourished and he has directed over 40 performances ranging from Shakespeare to Sarah Kane. Paul has a particular flair for musical theatre and recently directed and produced full Broadway performances of Beauty and the Beast and Hairspray.
Paul firmly believes in the power of community theatre and its place in
shaping young people. In 2005/6 he worked closely with Manchester
International Festival and The Gorillaz culminating in his students
performing live at The Brit Awards ceremony. In Doha, Qatar, Paul founded the country’s first youth theatre which now boasts over 70 members and encompasses members of over 20 nationalities. He is hugely excited about working at SOTA and wants to bring forth his enthusiasm for theatre into the classroom.