MEET THE TEAM
Our teaching staff have backgrounds in all sorts of different domains, and their training includes formal accreditation from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Some of them were even EYT students before becoming teachers! Find out more about them here!
Lynne, Artistic Director and Founder
Languages: English
​
Lynne has more than 45 years' experience in the world of theatre. She trained as a professional actress at the Birmingham Theatre School, studied Theatre at the University of Warwick, and got her MA in Arts Administration and Policy from City, University of London. She has been the manager of three professional theatres in the UK. She has been teaching, acting and directing in Brussels since 1995.
​
Lynne is the artistic director of EYT, as well as chief costume mistress. She is an associate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). She founded EYT in Brussels in 1999 with Mike Cockburn.
Jake, Administrator and Teacher
Languages: English, French and Dutch
Jake has been teaching and directing for over 10 years, and was an EYT student from age 6 to 18. He is both a reluctant Englishman and an avowed Belgian. He prides himself on being a jack of all trades, with interests in directing, acting, film-making, rap music, and playwriting among others.
He studied Film Production ​at the University of Central Lancashire, where he participated in the creation of dozens of short films and videos, as well as the production of two feature films.
​
Jake directed EYT's last three FEATS plays to great acclaim, including the award-winning Chaos in 2023.
​
Classes:
Waterloo: Intermediates, Seniors
Woluwe: Intermediates 1, Seniors 1, Seniors 3
Stockel: Juniors, Intermediates, Seniors
Glenn, Treasurer and Teacher
Languages: English, French
​
Though Glenn would claim to be the least artistic member of his family, he has directed several plays on the Brussels Am-Dram circuit, including productions of Death of a Salesman, Glengarry Glen Ross and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe? He is also directing the upcoming EYT+ production Lord of the Flies.
​
On top of his directing, Glenn has also acted in a number of plays, including playing Salieri in Amadeus, and Alfieri in A View From The Bridge.
​
Before throwing himself into teaching, Glenn was the CEO of the British Chamber of Commerce in Belgium for over 10 years.
​
Classes:
Flagey: Juniors, Intermediates 1, Intermediates 2, Seniors 1, Seniors 2
David, Teacher and Prop Maker
Languages: English
Having worked in places as varied as Jim Henson's Creature Workshop, the set of the 1996 movie Lost In Space and at the BBC, Dave's truly been all over. He's got a degree in 3D Design for the Entertainment Industries, and has been teaching for 15 years.
​
After finishing his degree, David worked at Jim Henson's Creature Workshop in London, making props and puppets for West End shows, TV and movies.
​
Dave has been teaching Juniors at EYT for over 15 years, and has been a prop maker for film, TV and professional theatre for over 20 years.
​
Classes:
Woluwe: Juniors
Lucy, Teacher
Languages: English, Dutch
​
Lucy has a long history with theatre, with both her parents working backstage. She pursued this interest at university with a degree in Acting. After spending some time abroad working as an entertainer in various hotels, she settled in Belgium, where she got involved in amateur dramatics and directing.
In 2019, Lucy took on the job of directing BATS' pantomime Mother Goose, which was unfortunately delayed due to COVID. It was finally performed in 2022.
Lucy arrived in Belgium 5 years ago, and has been involved in numerous am-dram projects in Antwerp since her arrival.
​
Classes:
Woluwe: Juniors, Intermediates 2, Seniors 2
Antwerp: Intermediates, Seniors
Ben, Teacher
Languages: English, French and Dutch
Ben is an alumnus of EYT. During his time as a student, he played the role of Leo in Bassett, which earned him a Best Actor nomination at FEATlets 2012, and Dexter in Shut Up in 2013. He also took part in the BBC Public Speaking Awards as a teenager, reaching the national quarter finals.
​
He is also an avid football enthusiast, having played for Union Saint-Gilloise and KV Woluwe-Zaventem as a teenager.
​
Since starting teaching at EYT in 2019, Ben has directed the majority of the Intermediate groups, in both Arabian Nights and Alice in Wonderland.
​
Classes:
Bascule: Juniors, Intermediates, Seniors
Mary, LAMDA Teacher
Languages: English
​
Mary has taught for many years, in both primary and secondary schools, and has run drama clubs wherever she worked. She was one of the first leaders of the Trinity Arts Centre Youth Theatre in Kent. She has adapted many stories for the stage and written original plays.
​
Mary worked as a teacher for the British Junior Academy in Brussels for years, and taught the Waterloo Senior group for EYT for several years.
​
She now lives in the UK, and teaches EYT's online LAMDA program alongside Lynne.
Simon, Patron
Languages: English
In his 40 year career, Simon has been an actor, a director, a teacher, a lecturer in theatre, and the rector of London's most theatrical church. He is Lynne's oldest friend.
Simon has been the Rector of St Paul's Covent Garden (the Actors' Church) for over 10 years, and is a prominent member of the West End's theatre community.
"I am so proud to be the patron of English Youth Theatre. Theatre brings so much joy to people every day. It is a gift for life for all children." - Rev. Simon Grigg