About
Performing…for the Love of it.
Founded to enable children to find a love in theatre, movement and expression to aid development that will benefit all areas of their lives.
Building confidence and enhancing skills such as Dance, Creativity, Drama, Team Building, Expression, Confidence and Singing.
Hidden Gems youth theatre's aim as a company is to encourage a love of the theatre and performing arts, to nurture any natural talent shown encouraging each individual to express their own creativity. We aim to provide quality work with an emphasis on team work and communication.
Our members have not been selected through auditions or interviews, our only demand is that they commit fully to working together and working hard. The outcomes will therefore be doubly rewarding.
Gemma Bowden
Founder and Director | BA(Hons) Musical Theatre, Youth MHFA /Safeguarding LEAD / First Aid Trained
Gemma won a scholarship to London's famous stage school, Sylvia Young Theatre School, when she was 11 and she's been singing, dancing and acting since then. Not only that, but she hails from Wales, so you could say (and she often does) that she was born with music and song in her blood. Gemma studied her craft for a BA Hons in Musical Theatre at the prestigious Guildford School of Acting and has performed professionally on stage, TV, radio and commercials.
Now she wants to share all that experience with her own classes of hidden gems, helping them shine and build their confidence through dance, drama and having a bloomin' great sing-song. Gemma started Hidden Gems in 2011 and it has grown from humble beginnings into a well loved school, which focuses on the love of performing.
Gemma is a mum of three boys, She also works as a Talent Agent, as well as occasionally treading the boards herself whenever she gets the chance.
Favourite Musical: I can’t pick just one…..Les Mis, Wicked, Kiss Me Kate & Parade
Favourite Role to date has to be Playing Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady!
Gemma has recently trained as a Youth Mental Health First Aider, and also has a certificate for Infection Control in Childhood settings
For more information or to train in Mental Health first aid please visit mhfaengland.org or @applauseforthought
Chloe Roberts
Performing Arts Teacher | BA(Hons) Musical Theatre / First Aid Trained
Chloe trained at the Institute of Contemporary Theatre, gaining a BA(Hons) in Performing Arts, before completing her DDE (Diploma in Dance Education) under Cathy Stevens at DanceTeachersinc. She is now a fully qualified ISTD Modern and Tap teacher.
Chloe discovered her passion for teaching at a young age and has taught and choreographed across Essex and Surrey. Alongisde Hidden Gems she teaches ISTD Modern and Tap, Jazz and a range of adult class. She is part of running a successful festival team, with her students and choreography reaching All England Regional finals. She also teaches Tap at BN1 Arts, a vocational college in Brighton for students aged 16–18 hoping to enter the industry.
Alongside teaching, Chloe enjoys performing in local theatre and has worked on stage and creatively, choreographing productions including Parade, Guys and Dolls and Frozen for ESPA Productions and Epsom Players.
Chloe is proud to have been part of Hidden Gems since 2018 and has seen the school grow from strength to strength. She has had the greatest privilege of seeing many students come through the doors and find their love of performing and can't wait to continue the journey alongside Gemma for many years.
Favourite Musical: Miss Saigon
Favourite Role to Date: Phyllis in 42nd Street
Lily Porter
Performing Arts Teacher | BA(Hons) Musical Theatre / First Aid Trained
Lily Graduated from Italia Conti, and as well as teaching she is an avid Performer!
You can catch Lily as the Narrator in Joseph, at Dorking Halls this February, with DDOS!
Favourite Musical:
Favourite Role to Date: