Peter is the Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Acting for Screen at Leeds Arts University. Peter first studied for his undergraduate degree in Acting at the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester. After graduating he became a professional actor appearing in various roles across film, TV and theatre. His teaching career began when he became Course Leader for the acting course at Hull College. He then gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Education at the University of Hull.

Peter founded and became Artistic Director of “Status Theatre Company” which had the mission to inspire, nurture, challenge, educate and empower artists, to contribute to a more conscious and compassionate audience. The company consisted of professional actors, whilst also allowing graduating students to work with the company on an apprenticeship basis. The company was dedicated to new writing and Peter produced and directed several new plays and two new writing festivals called “New Voices”.

He then went on to study at the University of York, gaining an MA in Writing, Directing & Performance.

Peter became Head of Acting at SLP College Leeds, where he directed major productions and presented their first acting showcase. He went on to join University Campus Barnsley as Pathway Leader Acting. Here he wrote the Foundation degree and BA (Hons) Degree Acting for Touring Theatre, which was validated and commended by Sheffield Hallam University. The Course gained accreditation by Spotlight, which meant all BA (Hons) students became Spotlight graduate members.

Throughout his teaching career, Peter has taught Acting for Screen, developing modules in screen acting, multimedia performance and advanced screen acting.

Peter has a keen interest in interdisciplinary performance practices. He focuses on dramatists, film and theatre practitioners and visual artists whose work explores the fusion of the literary and the visual and pose a challenge to disciplinary boundaries. He continues to investigate how contemporary film and theatre are diversifying and adapting to the taste of a modern audience, keeping students at the cutting edge of performance training. He develops content and activities that are both significant and challenging for the students so that they are stimulated to think “beyond” their comfort zone and feel involved in their learning process. His commitment and approach to teaching have been rewarded with the highest teaching evaluations an instructor can receive.

Working professionally as an actor, director and lecturer for 20 years has given Peter a holistic perspective of education from a variety of standpoints. Equipping progressing students into the industry or higher qualification with the requisite skills and experience to both enter and sustain employment in this arena.

Peter has produced and directed many acting showcases in which graduating actors present themselves to industry professionals, including TV and Film casting directors, agents, directors and producers. Many actors gained representation and are now working professionally in the screen industry.