Meet the Team

Sarah Creasey

Director

Training: B.Ed (hons) in drama -
Bangor University
Founded Pukka in 2002.

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"‘One Day More’ from Les Mis"
Favourite Pukka show to date?
"Our original production of 'Jesus Christ Superstar'
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"the first Saturday back after lockdown 2020. The feeling of community achievement and optimism was out of this world!"

Duncan Creasey

Director & Tech

Training: BEng in Computer systems Engineering and a masters in Behaviour Analysis - Cardiff University
Founded Pukka in 2002.

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"Gethsemane" from JCSS.
Favourite Pukka show to date?
"Little MatchGirl in 2010"
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"Tim Reynolds as Tony when the prop gun failed and the excruciating wait until Callum small ran on to save the day by stabbing him with an invisible knife!"

Sarah McHugh

Choreographer/Dance Teacher

Training: BA Hons Choreography -
Dartington College of Arts
Joined Pukka in 2013.

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"Currently it's Meant to be yours from Heathers"
Favourite Pukka show to date?
"Sweeney Todd or Jekyll & Hyde!"
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"Matilda Junior 2021, the torrential downpour of rain during the kids bows! They smiled and laughed the entire time, core memory right there for our Pukka kids."

Rowan Connell

Music/Dance Teacher

Rowan has studied both singing and piano with The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
Joined as a student, aged 9, in 2005.

Began teaching in 2013.

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"if only you would listen" from School of Rock"
Favourite Pukka show to date?
""Avenue Q Jnr, our 2014 showcase"
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"leaving the chaos of the Pukka sleepovers to get a peaceful night’s sleep in my own cosy bed!"

Noori

Singing Teacher

Training: BMus (hons) principal study piano at the
Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama

Joined Pukka in 2022

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"'Consider yourself' from Oliver!
Favourite Pukka show to date?
""The Christmas show full of glitter and shine! Wonderful variety in performances from each group in pukka, the choir in the interval and the special Ukrainian carol solo"
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"The O Holy night event in Porthkerry park. The dancing angels, the singing choir, the donkeys and the sheer joy of it all coming together!"

Naomi Excell

Singing Teacher

Training: BMus (hons) at the

Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama

Joined Pukka in 2022

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"'I still believe' from Miss Saigon!.
Favourite Pukka show to date?
"The Black Tie Ball this year was just so special"
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"My first time having Juniors and Petites with microphones and they discovered their voices. They sang their hearts out and it was just such a magical moment!"

Natalia Taylor

Dance Teacher

Training: Ba Hons Dance at

Chichester University (2020)

Joined as a student, aged 12, in 2013.

Began teaching in 2022.

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"'I dreamed a dream' from Les Misérables."
Favourite Pukka show to date?
"Addams Family"
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"I LOVED when Pukka used to do Santa's Sleigh. It was so lovely and bought us together - collecting money for charity and spreading christmas spirit."

Elle Dance

Drama/Music Teacher

Teaching since 2018.
Joined Pukka in 2024

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"Currently “The Light in the Piazza” but it changes weekly!"
Favourite Pukka show to date?
"Addams Family this year (2024)"
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"watching my first Pukka show and seeing the kids I teach onstage for the first time too! Watching them give it their all was a super proud moment for me."

Sara Souilem

Musical Director

Training: BA Music Degree

at Cardiff University.

Joined Pukka in 2014.

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"Any song from Rent!"
Favourite Pukka show to date?
"It has to be Addams Family (2024)"
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"Watching Dougal (the dog) join the line in one of the rehearsals for the group ‘A Chorus Line’".

Charlotte Perkins

Dance Teacher

Training: BA(Hons) Dance at University of South Wales (2019) and MA Dance Performance, including Pedagocigal Approaches at University of Chichester (2021)
Joined Pukka in 2024.

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"Circle of Life"
Favourite Pukka show to date?
"Song & Dance 2024"
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"It was going on stage with our Shine group for the first time, and seeing how well they performed as a group!

Nicola Lewis

Pukka Petites Leader

Training: Habilitation Specialist for Children with a Visual Impairment. Over 20 years experience working with children, including SEN and children with sight loss from babies to 25 year olds!
Joined Pukka in 2011.

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"Rewrite the Stars - Greatest Showman"
Favourite Pukka show to date?
"I adore the Black Tie Ball each year. I love the Awards ceremony celebrating all the children's growth"
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"All the efforts from Pukka Staff through Covid. Pukka is a lifeline for lots of children (& parents!) Having all the classes available online to ensure the Pukka family still continued, even in such difficult times."

Carol Moore

Pukka Pins Leader/Crafts

Fashion Design - Newport and Caerleon
School of fashion

Joined Pukka in 2022

Pukka Q&A:

Favourite Musical-Theatre song?
"Every song from Wicked"
Favourite Pukka show to date?
"It would have to be Grease"
Number 1 Pukka memory?
"A seagull pooping on my head at outdoor Grease rehearsal! Absolute carnage ensued from everyone laughing."