Hayley's Comet has travelled 4,387 miles...
Our Story
Hello, I'm Hayley, the founder of Hayley's Comet. Where children are stars. My performing arts school works to the strengths of the individual whilst encouraging strong team work at all times.
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I am a professional performer and author.
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I wanted to find a way of bringing my love of performing arts together with my writing...
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And I had a vision to create a safe space for creative young people to thrive.
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An opportunity came around for me to teach musical theatre for a few months in Dubai. A short contract turned into a residency visa and I started to write shows for children and teenagers, linking devised stories with well-loved show tunes, rock music and pop songs. Hayley's Comet was born! Six students and grew to 140 in just two years. The 'Comets' performed at professional venues in Dubai and one of our original shows won a Time Out UAE Kids Award for contribution to theatre.
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Then motherhood came knocking...
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My husband and I relocated to the UK just before our son was born. Hayley's Comet continued in my absence for a short while and I focused on writing novels again. I landed a book deal with HarperCollins and had another baby, just before Covid hit. Hayley's Comet seemed like a lovely chapter that had, for various reasons, closed.
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Except, it had just paused!
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When my children started at their local primary school in South East London, I was asked to teach the drama club. I realised how much I had missed my 'Comets'. So I hired a hall and Hayley's Comet zoomed back into business!
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Hayley's Comet now runs after school, at weekends and holiday camps. The big focus is on the 'Triple Threat'; singing, dancing and acting, usually all at the same time. Using traditional theatre discipline, the child's individuality is also celebrated and encouraged, and 'Comets' are invited to collaborate and share creative ideas for the shows.
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The performing arts industry can be tough. It's full of self-doubt and worry. I want to teach young performers to believe in themselves, to see their own shining light and stay true to themselves.
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Comets students have gone on to study at Rose Bruford, Arts Ed, Oxford School of Drama, Performers College, Trinity Laban and Met Film School, with many now working successfully in the industry. Often, Comets Alumni come to teach workshops at Hayley's Comet or help backstage at the shows, remembering the good times they had in the wings!
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From the West End to Broadway, from the Beatles to Bowie, from Shakespeare to Spielberg, anything goes at Hayley's Comet. All I ask is that you show up, trust the process and allow the magic to happen.
Vision
To keep creating a safe and welcoming environment for children and young people to unleash their creativity and have the freedom to enjoy being their authentic selves. Hayley's Comet strives to provide the best training in acting, dance and singing, with a watchful eye on how the performing arts industry is constantly developing. The creative minds of tomorrow need nurturing and Hayley's Comet will always listen to the student, allowing them to grow in confidence.
About me
I was born in Liverpool and attended my local dance school from the age of four. At 16, I was offered a place in Manchester Youth Theatre's production company. The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's Summer Pops invited me to sing as a soloist and also a backing singer to Michael Ball. My professional training followed at Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) where I graduated with a BA (hons) in Acting. I made my West End debut as Ali in Mamma Mia! Alongside performing, I started to write sketches, radio scripts and eventually novels. Under the supervision of Fay Weldon, I gained an MA in Creative Writing from Brunel University.
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In Dubai, I taught acting and musical theatre classes for an afterschool club, before deciding to open my own school, Hayley's Comet. I also became a regular presenter on Dubai Eye 103.8 on Entertainment Today and other lifestyle and music shows.
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When I relocated back to the UK, I settled in London with my husband and two children. I wrote scripts for video games and worked as a voiceover artist for various brands, including Nestle, Everton FC, M&S and Bumble. My debut novel, Never Saw You Coming, was published by HarperCollins in 2020. My second book, Love, Almost, was published in 2021.
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Hayley's Comet launched in South East London in 2021. It has grown from two weekly classes to more than 100 regular 'Comets' walking through the doors each week. The school performs annually at Theatre Peckham, the Blythe Hill Festival and various local opportunities. A selection of 'Comets' were recently offered agent representation and have started to audition for professional roles.
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My third book, Glimmers, was published in 2024.
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I have co-written a major musical with Elliot Clay for IE Productions, And the Winner Is..., which is going into workshop this summer.
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If I had more time on my hands, I would likely do a lot of jigsaws whilst listening to the Beatles. But I have two young kids who keep me super busy and right now, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Get in touch!
Hayley's Comet is dedicated to finding the best class that allows your child to shine.
Contact us today!
Call or WhatsApp 07714716209