West End performer and Coventry resident Kimisha Lewis’s life has been heavily influenced by theatre and performance - inspiring her to launch a new theatre school in the area. The actor trained at the prestigious Rose Bruford College with a BA(Hons) in Acting and was also a member of the National Youth Theatre.

She has since gone on to have a career in London’s West End and international touring as well as TV and voice-over professional work. “I’ve worked professionally since graduating with primarily lots of tours all over the UK including the Edinburgh Fringe as well as Chicago, Peru and Romania,” says Kimisha.

“I’ve had many incredible experiences including performing in the show Noughts & Crosses, based on the book by Malorie Blackman. I actually watched my auntie in this show when I was a child and to get to perform in it, alongside my auntie who still acts, was just amazing.

Read more: Coventry mum sets up Indian food firm in back garden after friends rave about her meals

“Just before Covid hit, I got my first break in the West End, performing in a show called Upstart Crow, alongside David Mitchell in Ben Elton’s adaptation of the critically acclaimed BBC TV sitcom. We did a couple of shows then were told the devastating news about covid and it closed.

"Alongside my acting, I had always taught so I decided to start a teacher training course in a primary school. Although I loved working with the children, I wasn’t teaching them what I was passionate about, which was when I made the decision to open my own theatre school.”

After exploring several options, Kimisha contacted Dragon's Den backed franchise Razzamataz Theatre Schools, she said: “I love the Razzamataz curriculum and giving children a rounded performing arts education. They get to study both musical theatre and the commercial genre and the Head Office team keeps up with the fast-paced world of performing arts which is ever-evolving."

The school is going from strength to strength. Kimisha’s goal was to be at 50 students by the end of the first year, but she has achieved that halfway through the first term.

“On the weekend I opened, I actually started rehearsals for my first one-woman show,” says Kimisha. “It was quite the weekend.

"Although it was a crazy time, it really did prove to me that I could run a business and stay working in the industry that I’m passionate about. I love being an actor, it is a huge part of who I am, and I believe it also makes me a better theatre school Principal.”

She said: "Giving children the chance to perform in the local community will play a big part in creating not just rounded performers, but also young people that believe in themselves.

"You can learn so many things by putting yourself in these situations and it will give them the confidence to follow any career path that they dream of. We have a few local performances coming up as well as our end-of-term presentation and then a summer masterclass. I’m so looking forward to all the different opportunities that I can bring to the children and young people of Coventry.”

All local children and young people are encouraged to try the free taster sessions that will offer classes in dance, acting and singing and cover a wide range of genres. The sessions run every Saturday at Blue Coat School , during term time and are for children from the ages of four to 18.

For more information on the free taster session contact Kimisha at coventry@razzamataz.co.uk