Helen Buchanan (BA Acting, MA Actor Training)

Helen trained as an actor at Northumbria University and has since appeared professionally on TV shows such as ‘Emmerdale’ (ITV), ‘Hollyoaks’ (C4), and Kay Mellor’s ‘The Syndicate’ (BBC).

Helen’s theatre credits include Northumberland Theatre Company, Bronzehead Theatre, and new writing initiatives in association with Leeds Playhouse. Additionally, Helen works as a director for Enact, a Manchester-based experiential learning and development company. This role involves collaborating with professional actors and facilitators to create dramatic content that aims to inspire change within organisations. This often involves directing short training films or theatrical events.

In recent years, Helen has further developed her passion for training actors by studying an MA in Actor Training and Coaching from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.

This rigorous training course allowed Helen to refine her practice. By drawing on humour, and positive psychology, Helen helps the actors she works with build resilience and learns from failure, embracing it, not fearing it.

Helen loves working with the diverse student cohort at ActUpNorth, putting her skills into practice. She values how dedicated and supportive students are of each other and continues to feel energised by their desire to keep challenging themselves whilst retaining a sense of fun!