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Specialist education and inclusive performing arts for people with additional needs
Bedazzle Arts · Est. 2006
Bedazzle Arts is a specialist education and inclusive performing arts organisation founded in 2006. We create ambitious, high-quality opportunities for young people and adults of all abilities through education, training, performance and creative progression.
For two decades, we have combined specialist education, creative training and inclusive opportunities with the belief that ability should never limit ambition.
WHO ARE WE
Leaders in specialist education and inclusive arts
Bedazzle Arts was founded in 2006 by actor Diane Janssen and art director Phil Janssen with a clear belief: that high-quality specialist education and expressive arts opportunities should be open to young people and adults of every ability.
What began as a Saturday theatre course has grown into a distinctive organisation delivering specialist education programmes, a performing arts academy, community theatre, productions, talent development and charitable support.
Our ethos has never changed. We put the student at the centre, build confidence, and create ambitious opportunities for people with additional needs to learn and progress.
"Bedazzle's ethos is to create innovative, expressive arts pieces that address the essential messages of who we are, the perceptions of society and equality of opportunity."
DAME JUDI DENCH — PATRON
✦ Registered with the UK Register of Learning Providers (UKRPN: 10068209)
✦ Approved Stage 4 Provider — Cambridgeshire
✦Contracted by local councils to deliver Bespoke Education for SEND students
✦ 100% exam pass record — maintained since 2014
✦ Bedazzle Projects — registered charity in England & Wales (No. 1140390)
✦ LAMDA Gold Award winners
✦ Edinburgh Fringe — award-winning production (2019)
✦ Trinity Champion since 2023
✦ Arts Theatre, Cambridge affiliation & Workshops
Our Journey
Two decades of milestones
From a handful of students and a guest host from Steps, to West End placements and BBC drama credits. Here are the moments that shaped us.
· 2026
20 YEARS OF BEDAZZLE
Our 20th year is all about going bigger than ever. Production of our third short film, New Bloom, with work experience opportunities supporting accessible pathways into the arts. Coming next: Sleeping Beauty, a student-inspired outdoor showcase, and Reel to Real heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for seven performances.
· 2025
ORGINAL WORK, BIGGER AUDIENCES
Students performed Reel to Real, an original interactive theatre production, at Storey’s Field, Cambridge, supported by the brilliant Cambridge Arts Theatre technical and front-of-house team. Our panto tour expanded to four schools, with 2026 bookings already confirmed.
RECOGNITION, ORIGINAL THEATRE & NEW PARTNERSHIPS
Award recognition for Typical
Typical continued to gain recognition across the festival circuit, receiving numerous awards and nominations, including an RTS Craft Director Award.
· 2024
Mythic Trials at Cambridge Art Theatre
In Summer 2024, BAPAA students performed Mythic Trials, an original theatre piece, on the iconic Cambridge Arts Theatre stage. The production received fantastic feedback and marked the beginning of a growing creative relationship with the theatre.
Christmas Panto Tour
In December, our panto toured Three local Schools before taking to Cambridge Arts Theatre stage. The performance was attended by parents, carers, and members of the theatre's professional panto cast and technical team.
SUMMER TERM - AN ORIGINAL THEATRE SHOW - TALES UNTOLD
· 2023
Sold out show at The Junction in Cambridge. BAPAA students
Autumn - Our 2nd Short Film - One for the Road - A Stephen King Short
December - Launch of Our First Panto Tour
· 2022
FIRST SHORT FILM - TYPICAL
A Remake of our Edinburgh Fringe show, remapped for the screen - Cast and crew made up of at least 50% Neurodiverse individuals and a sell out performance of Shakespeare showcase
· 2021
BIP & INCLUSIVE TALENT
Bedazzle Inclusive Productions launches, creating original stage and film work. Inclusive Talent — our unique agency — begins placing performers in BBC dramas and West End shows.
· 2019
EDINBURGH FRINGE & BAPAA
'I'm Non-Typical, Typical' runs for 10 days at the Edinburgh Fringe, winning multiple awards. From this success, our Performing Arts Academy (BAPAA) is established.
· 2018
PATRONS JOIN
Dame Judi Dench becomes our first patron, quickly followed by Miriam Margolyes OBE and Sally Phillips — three remarkable advocates for inclusive arts.
· 2017
BESPOKE EDUCATION - LOCAL AUTHORITY CONTRACTS
Our individual SEND education programme gains momentum. Contracted by local authorities to deliver personalised education packages for students aged 14+.
· 2011
"IMAGINE..." ANNUAL SHOWCASE
Our flagship annual showcase launches at West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge. A celebration of everything our students have achieved — it continues every November.
· 2010
BEDAZZLE PROJECTS & POPSCHOOL
Our charity arm registers, dedicated to advancing inclusive arts education. PopSchool holiday workshops begin
· 2009
4TH WALL THEATRE & EXPANSION
Invited to transform a local youth group into a vibrant performing arts company. 4th Wall Theatre launches for students wanting to take performance to the next level.
· 2006
BEDAZZLE LAUNCHES
Founded by Diane and Phil Janssen, our first three-hour Saturday course opens its doors — with Steps' H as guest host. After-school clubs expand to 15+ primary schools.
⭐
AGENCY
Inclusive Talent
A unique talent agency open to performers of all abilities. Artists placed in BBC prime-time drama, West End productions, feature films, commercials, and AI media projects.
🎬
PRODUCTIONS
Bedazzle Inclusive Productions
BiP creates original stage and film productions — from award-winning Edinburgh Fringe shows to touring pantomimes. Professional quality, fully inclusive casts.
🎵
WORKSHOPS
PopSchool Workshops
High-energy holiday workshops with over 1,000 participants since 2010. Students write, record, and perform their own music — includes music videos, DJ'ing and merchandise.
🎪
COMMUNITY
Community Theatre
Inclusive theatre groups for adults across Cambridge, Huntingdon, and Chelmsford. Open to all abilities, focused on performance, creativity, and belonging. A place to come and have fun!
🎭
ACADEMY
BAPAA
Professional training in singing, acting, and movement. Students gain OCR and Trinity qualifications, headshots, a showreel, and real performance credits — including annual productions.
📚
EDUCATION
Bespoke Education
Person-centred individual curriculum packages for SEND students aged 16+. Linked to EHC plans, accredited through ASDAN, Trinity, and AQA. Includes life skills, work experience, and community integration.
Six ways we make it happen
OUR PROGRAMMES
❝
MIRIAM MARGOLYES OBE
Miriam brings her extensive career across television, film, and stage to champion Bedazzle's belief that every performer deserves a platform, whatever their background or ability.
❝
SALLY PHILLIPS
"Bedazzle opens up opportunities for all abilities to come together. It gives them a platform to express issues around inclusion, diversity and social justice."
DAME JUDI DENCH
"As a patron, I feel it's important that students' journeys of creativity start with the message that expressive arts is something all are given the opportunity to experience."
❝
voices who believe in us
OUR PATRONS
Helen Feather
Partner
Chief Operating Officer
Helen oversees all daily operations, including safeguarding, resources, personnel, and supplier partnerships. She plays a central role in strategic development and future planning — the backbone of everything that runs smoothly.
Phil Janssen
Founder & Artistic Director
With a background in art direction, Phil shaped the visual identity, creative direction and strategic growth of Bedazzle from a single Saturday course into a multi-arm organisation with national reach.
Diane Janssen
Founder & Creative Director
With a background as a professional actor, Diane co-founded Bedazzle with a clear creative vision: to make performing arts genuinely accessible, building inclusive opportunities that help people grow in confidence, skill and possibility.
Meet our team
THE PEOPLE BEHIND IT
Tutors
Chloe Perry-Bartlett
BAPAA and Creative Arts Development Manager
Lydia Tuplin
Film Lead, Agency Assistant & Tutor
Anna Hester-Gillott
Case Manager & Tutor
Margherita Mugnai
Choreographer Lead
Harry Robbins
Tutor
Will Duncan
Tutor
Tirren Riches
Tutor
Zoe Coxell
Tutor
Jacob Turner
Tutor & Community Theatre
Ines Pereira
Tutor
Jenny Parsons
Tutor
Jessica Watson
Tutor
Savannah Sprinkle
Tutor & Community Theatre
Char Rosher
Tutor
Claire Bester
Tutor
Community Theatre
Abbie Nicholls
Community Theatre
Ellie Nicholls
Community Theatre
Courtney Middleton
Community Theatre
Jess Donoghue
Community Theatre
NEW INITIATIVES
The charity funds new Bedazzle enterprises from inception, supporting them through to financial independence.
PRODUCTIONS & EVENTS
From Edinburgh Fringe to our annual Imagine showcase, Bedazzle Projects has financed the shows that define our story.
STUDENT BURSARIES
A limited number of bursaries are available for students who would benefit most from additional financial support.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
As leaders in all-inclusive education, the charity funds courses for education professionals and 'Routes to Work' programmes.
INCLUSIVE TALENT AGENCY
Initially founded to support BAPAA students, Inclusive Talent is now open to all — placing performers in BBC drama, West End, and beyond.
BEDAZZLE PROJECTS
Our registered
charity
Bedazzle Projects (Charity No. 1140390) is the engine behind many of our most ambitious endeavours. Registered in 2010, its governing purpose is to advance education in expressive arts — in particular for those with additional needs.
The charity helps launch new initiatives until they become self-sustaining, removes barriers to participation where support is needed, and has backed almost every production, workshop, and event in our history.
Bedazzle Arts Ltd — Registered in England, No. 05813460
Bedazzle Projects — Registered Charity, No. 1140390
UK Register of Learning Providers — UKRPN: 10068209
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Performing arts & bespoke education for people with additional needs. Founded in Cambridge, 2006.