The Actors Forge

Our Story

The Forge

The Actors Forge was founded in 2018 in a small studio on Pilgrim Street in central Newcastle.

From humble beginnings the Forge quickly grew from a few actors practicing monologues and duologues to one of the region’s most respected centres for Actor training and development.

The Forge is now host to more than 100 active students over 5 classes and operates an international online Masterclass program based out of New York City.

The Actors Forge was voted the North East’s Best Drama School, in 2023 and has been featured in The Stage, Living North, and Spotlight’s official list of education providers.

In 2024 The Actors Forge began collaborating with Creative UK, Arts Council England and Durham University Business School as Entrepreneurs in Residence to spearhead the development of regional opportunities for Actors in the North East!

In 2025, along with our adults classes, we have opened up ‘Academies’ in Central Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham, offering our wealth of experience to the next generation of budding actors.

Durham University logo with purple crest and black text.
Logo of SpotLight Casting Directory, featuring a purple circular badge with white text.
Black and white logo with three black shapes resembling sound waves or speech bubbles and the text 'Creative UK'.
Text logo reading 'Arts Council England' in a circular arrangement on a dark background.
Teal background with white text reading 'The Stage' in bold letters.
  • Close-up portrait of a smiling young man with curly brown hair and a light beard, wearing a black sweater against a plain gray background.

    Dan Lemon

    Creative Director

    The Creative Director and Founder of the Actors Forge.

    Dan started the Actors Forge in 2018 after returning home from London where he trained and worked as a professional actor.

    Passionate about the North East, Dan sought to create a regional centre for training, collaboration and creative career development.

    In 2024, Dan opened our Academy in Newcastle with branches now open in Sunderland and Durham.

  • Close-up portrait of a middle-aged woman with blonde hair and a black top, smiling.

    Lynn Huntley

    Acting Coach

    Lynn is a hugely experienced actor, founding member and youth coach at the Actors Forge.

    She has worked across Television and Film and is best known for her work in London’s West End Theatre.

    Lynn also works professionally as a stand up comedian and singer throughout the North East region.

  • A smiling young man with light skin, red hair, glasses, and a black shirt, standing against a dark green background.

    Robert Carr

    Director, Cinematographer

    Rob is skilled writer, director and cinematographer and manages all things Screen Acting at the Forge.

    Rob runs a successful production company, RGR films that produces both creative and commercial film and media content, whilst offering both Headshot and Showreel Services at his creative studio in Sunderland.

  • A man with short brown hair and blue eyes wearing a blue shirt and a gold chain, looking directly at the camera, against a neutral gray background.

    Craig Pearson

    Mentor, Industry Relations

    Craig has a wealth of professional acting experience across T.V, Film and Theatre.

    Starting out in 2019, Craig has been a constant member of The Forge and now shares his experience mentoring and supporting actors in their development from budding artist to seasoned professional.

    He also looks after our marketing and social media accounts as well as being our point of contact for all industry professionals.

  • Close-up portrait of a young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes against a light blue background.

    Laura Lee Daly

    Mentor

    Laura Lee Daly joined The Actors Forge in 2023 and now serves as a Mentor.

    Already an accomplished Actor, Writer and Filmmaker, Laura brings extensive experience from across the creative and talent industries to her mentoring role.

    She is also a Talent Agent for Minerva Talent, giving our actors instant access to Industry representation.

  • Portrait of a young man with short, curly dark hair and fair skin, wearing a dark sweater, against a dark background.

    James McLoughlin

    Mentor

    Since joining The Forge in 2019, James has built a varied career across television, film, commercials, theatre, and modelling. He has also worked as a director and producer, including our Regional Showcase at Northern Stage.

    He currently works in the Theatre Sector, giving him a unique 360° view of both the creative and business sides of the industry which helps him enrich our actors experiences in his role of Mentor at The Forge.