Christian Bullen

A Year in Barry today met Christian Bullen. Christian is a theatre producer, director and choreographer. Originally from Barry, Christian now lives in London and works in the professional theatre industry, however still travels to Barry most Sundays to teach and nurture the next generation of Welsh talent. From the age of 14, Christian volunteered to teach drama and dance at a local children's theatre group based at the old Windsor Road Church, he soon became the director of the group and welcomed hundreds of local children to take part in creating shows for the people of Barry. At age 19, in his second year of university, he decided that Barry needed a place to train young people in dance, singing and acting to a professional level. Superstars in the Making was born in 2009 and has taught well over 1500 local children from Barry and surrounding areas and nurtured many of these children to go on to reach success in many different career paths, not just theatre. The academy is something for Barry to be proud of, having led children to perform in the West-End and in professional UK tours, as well as securing places at some of the best drama schools in the country. Christian has taken this company from Barry and placed it on the international map, having now got sites in China, introducing drama to over 2000 Chinese children since 2014. Christian has hosted several international drama camps in Barry, putting it on the map for international tourism. Christian has made an impact to the lives of so many children, giving them the confidence to pursue their dreams. Now over 200 students attend the Barry school and Christian introduces them to a wealth of opportunities from far and wide. Christian loves to watch his former students reach success and takes pride in the fact that many young people have learned that commitment, vision and drive can take you to wherever you wish to be. Christian is now a teacher at London's prestigious drama school Arts Ed, which boasts Andrew Lloyd Webber as president. He is also set to direct and choreograph a host of professional shows this year and is still finding the time to direct a show here in Barry for Memo Arts Centre. The Addams Family musical will hit centre stage at Memo Arts Centre from 20th April 2018. Christian is proud to carry on the legacy of his Grandfather Ron Brown and continue to contribute a lot to the arts scene in Barry.