ABOUT ME

The skill and the eye that Kieran has is impressive, to say the least

Shekinah McFarlaneHercules (Neue Flora), Six (West End), The Lion King (UK Tour)

I am a director, filmmaker, and one of the UK’s leading acting coaches. I have worked with actors in major productions for West End theatres, the RSC, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Netflix, Sky Studios, Disney+ and more, with clients across the UK, LA and worldwide.

As a director and filmmaker, my work spans theatre, TV and film, and I’ve worked with the BBC, National Theatre, Curve Theatre and many others.

I’ve also spent many years working closely with top UK drama schools, teaching on BA and MA courses, directing projects, and sitting on the audition panels.

Alongside my professional work, I am deeply passionate about nurturing the next generation of actors through my drama school, Urban Young Actors, whose alumni include a long list of high-profile and celebrity talent.

Kieran is an incredibly astute and creative director. Seeing him in a rehearsal room or on a film set is seeing him in his natural habitat. I think he’s actually a little bit magic!

Melissa May SmithWithout Sin (ITV), The Amazing Mrs Pritchard (ITV), A Thing Called Love (BBC)

Kieran has a warm and positive energy and knows exactly what needs to be done to find your character. I can count on him to give me the help and confidence I need.

Jack LoyThe Capture (BBC), Coronation Street (ITV), Beautiful in the Morning (Best UK Actor 2019)

My Approach to Acting

I strike a balance between analysis and embodiment. Grounded in motivation psychology, my work explores human behaviour and the intrinsic and extrinsic forces that drive a character through dramatic conflict. As Meisner said, the most important word in an actor’s vocabulary is ‘Why’.

But acting cannot be a purely academic exercise. My practice frees the actor’s body, breath and voice to create performances that are connected, fully present and alive in the moment. The psychophysical blocks that accumulate through modern life must be released to effectively communicate the full range of human thought and emotion.

Working with Kieran over the past year has been one of the most transformative experiences of my acting journey.

Emilia MallucciLee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute (LA)

Kieran’s experience and technical prowess speak for themselves. I felt completely equipped going into the first week of rehearsals.

Riad RichieHouse of David (Amazon MGM Studios), Tartuffe (RSC), Casualty (BBC)

Director & Filmmaker

From stage to screen, my work is driven by story and the human hook at the heart of every idea. I have a consistent track record of developing concepts into award-winning productions across independent narrative film, documentary and animation.

My work spans projects with the BBC, the National Theatre, Belgrade Film & Digital, Wyndham’s Theatre, Curve Theatre, Belgrade Theatre, Inspirate, Rendah Films, the NHS and many more.

I’ve also directed film projects with high-profile artists including JayaHadADream (MOBO-nominated artist), Mr Shay (Leicester’s first Poet Laureate), Shekinah McFarlane (West End and international credits; The Voice UK semi-finalist) and Queen Millz (acclaimed UK rapper).

Kieran’s teaching is exceptional and vital; I hung on his every word and left each session buzzing. A genuine game-changer.

Hazel MonaghanBlack Mirror (Netflix), Fisherman’s Friends (UK Tour), Romeo and Juliet (Three Inch Fools)

Kieran has to be one of the best acting coaches I have had in a long time! He changed the way I looked at performing.

Natalie BiggsThe Tunnel (Sky Atlantic), Creep Encounters (Jason M.J Brown), What Goes Around (DM Productions)

UYA Drama School & Talent Agency

I am deeply passionate about nurturing the next generation of actors through my leading drama school and talent agency – Urban Young Actors. UYA provide weekly acting workshops and produce regular stage and film productions. Alumni include Mahalia (MOBO Award-Winning Artist), Jurell Carter (Emmerdale, ITV), Loris Scarpa (Once, The London Palladium; Sweetpea, Sky Atlantic; SAS: Rogue Heroes, BBC), Dilan Raithatha (West End playwright) and Dev Sodha (award-winning composer – Wicked, Mission Impossible, Black Panther, Minions, Star Wars The Mandalorian).

UYA Drama School UYA Talent Agency