Hub Screen Acting Academy was founded with a simple mission, to create a supportive acting hub where young people can learn, grow and thrive.
Led by our founders, Kat Jacobs and Paisley James, our training is personal, friendly and equally challenging. We understand the barriers young people face when trying to break into the arts so our classes are inclusive and accessible to all, regardless of your background.
Through the dedication of our team and patrons, we have created a safe environment where our students can develop their craft and become versatile, leading actors. We work closely with our affiliate agency, Price Hubbard Talent Agency, meaning we uniquely offer a direct pathway to representation.
Our curriculum provides young actors with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to perform naturally and effectively on camera. In this modern day world, the power of TV and Film is undeniable, and the opportunities for young actors are endless. This is why we are proud to be a high quality provider of specialised screen acting classes for ages 13-18 in Manchester. At HSA Academy, we believe the power of drama and storytelling should never be underestimated.
At Hub Screen Acting Academy it is our mission to celebrate individuality, encourage creativity, and ensure every young person feels seen, valued and empowered. The ‘Hub’ in our name is no coincidence; it represents a community built on belonging, a supportive safe environment where young actors can develop their craft, grow in confidence and form lasting friendships. We want our students to feel excited to come to class, to feel like they are part of a community that believes in them, to be a part of something special. This mission sits at the heart of everything that we do. HSA Academy isn’t just a class, it is a home for young actors, a home where we empower the next generation of storytellers by providing them with a safe place to learn, grow and thrive.
Paisley is an actor and acting coach originally from the Wirral. He graduated from The Arden School of Theatre with a first class honours degree in Acting back in 2023. Paisley now lives in Manchester working within the industry as both an actor and a coach. He has a long list of directing credits to his name through his experience as an acting teacher in multiple academies.
“Hey! Welcome to HSA Academy! My experience in teaching and coaching these past few years have taught me one important thing, young people need drama now more than ever! When I first discovered acting as a teenager, it changed everything. To have a safe space to be silly, have fun and make friends away from everyday life, was life changing. I fell in love with films and the magic they create. This is now our vision for Hub Screen Acting Academy, to create a space that teenagers feel they belong in.“
Kat is an actor and acting coach from London. She trained at East 15 Acting School, graduating in 2009, and has spent the past 17 years specialising in actor training, communication skills, and LAMDA exam coaching. Kat is the founder of one of the UK’s leading online training providers for 1:1 acting and public speaking tuition, where she also created and delivered a teacher‑training programme that has coached hundreds of educators across the UK and worldwide to deliver high‑quality acting and public speaking classes. She has prepared hundreds of students for successful entry into top UK drama schools, including RADA, LAMDA, East 15, Mountview, Guildhall, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, and Bristol Old Vic. Before launching her company in 2015, Kat worked across multiple stage schools in London as an acting coach, shaping the training of young performers across the city, and also taught in the post‑16 education sector delivering a full performing arts programme.
“For me, acting has always been more than a skill – it’s a craft, a form of art, a place for escapism, imagination, creativity, storytelling, and personal growth. As a child, I went to stage school every Saturday, and it shaped me into the person I am today. It taught me confidence, resilience, teamwork, communication, discipline, and the joy of expressing myself freely. Those early experiences showed me how powerful drama can be in helping young people discover who they are and what they’re capable of. After years of coaching students and teachers across the UK and worldwide, I’ve seen again and again how acting can transform a young person’s life. At HSA Academy, our mission is to share our knowledge, expertise, and experience to help the next generation of actors grow, thrive, and make their dreams a reality.”
Throughout the year, we welcome a range of industry professionals into the academy, including TV and Film Actors, Directors, and Casting Directors who deliver masterclass workshops. These masterclasses give our students the chance to learn directly from working creatives, gain real world insight, and develop their craft with guidance from those shaping the industry today.
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