Sharon’s interest in performing arts began at a young age, where she spent her childhood dedicated to hours of dance training and performing. Sharon’s interest for the arts grew into a passion and she went on to study performing arts at college. After successfully completing her training at college, Sharon opened her own dance school and inspired many children to follow their dreams and pursue a career in performing. Sharon stepped away from her dance school so that she could focus on raising her three children, only to find herself some years later managing her Son, Jamie Borthwick otherwise known to many as EastEnders Jay Brown. Sharon managed Jamie for 6 years as his career developed in the show and went from strength to strength. Sharon’s sharp aptitude for business, meticulous attention to detail and orderly and efficient manner saw her oversee Jamie’s work affairs including handling his gruelling schedule and diary as well as dealing with all press and PR events. Later on Sharon began working as a booker for a crowd and background artist agency and it was during that time she reflected and decided that she wanted to help other children fulfil their dreams like she had already helped Jamie to achieve. That is when her academic background in performance and her career as a manager and booker in the acting industry found common ground and Borthwick Casting was born.

Sharon started the agency in 2016 from the back bedroom of her house, within the first 6 months she had grown the agency at such a fast rate that she had to find a permanent home for Borthwick Casting and she moved into the purpose built offices and studios where the agency’s located today. Borthwick Casting has now become one of the leading children’s TV, Film and Theatre agencies and has also built in that time a huge portfolio of supporting artistes. Sharon continues to lead from the front and has a hands-on approach of the day to day running of the agency, where she is in direct contact with Casting Directors, assisting with briefs, directing self-tapes, organising workshops for the agency database, led by industry professionals that she personally invites, overseeing the curriculum programme for Borthwick Performing Arts and generally networking to expand the Borthwick Casting brand.

The opportunity Sharon gave her Son meant investing a lot financially into his training. That was clearly an investment that paid off as Jamie secured his role in EastEnders at just 12 years old, a role that 14 years later he still plays and is a regular cast member. However, Sharon appreciates the cost of professional training isn’t accessible to everyone and that is why she prides Borthwick Casting and Borthwick Performing Arts on the fact that they are inclusive to every child and young adult no matter what their financial, cultural or social background and promotes equality and diversity throughout the Borthwick brand. Sharon has first-hand experience of the child actor industry and is more than qualified to share her knowledge and expertise to help support children and their parents and to mentor them in this crazy business we call show. Sharon can relate that the process of raising a high profile child actor can be daunting to begin with but she knows more than anyone else what it takes to be a successful child actor.

Read articles about Sharon below:

• My London Article
• What’s On In Romford Article

Elaine is a writer, actor and director who also has over 20 years experience as a drama teacher.

She has appeared on stage in the Vaudeville and Gielgud Theatres in the West End; at the Anna Scher Theatre and Bridewell Theatres, in London; at the Edinburgh Fringe and with the August Rush Theatre Company in Antigua, West Indies.  She is the author of twelve novels, two selections of short stories, two novellas, several plays, a TV series (Paradise View for HAMA Productions) and the short film, Only the Lonely, which won the prestigious Groucho Club Best Short Film Award in 2019.

Elaine was Head of Drama at Hewitt Performing Arts for fourteen years during which time she produced and directed twelve musicals and plays, eight Festival of Plays and coached more than eleven hundred successful LAMDA exam candidates.  She ran a very successful series of workshops for drama teachers in Antigua for the Ministry of Education.  She now offers one-to-one sessions with students preparing them for LAMDA exams, auditions, self-tapes, working to camera, public-speaking or giving presentations.

Sophie has been dancing and performing from a very young age, with her specialty always laying in the acro field.

After graduating from performing arts college, Sophie went on to work as a professional dancer and cheerleader. She has performed for the Hammerettes and the Bluebells and was on the cheer teams for The Saracen’s and Harlequin Rugby clubs. She has performed on television, with a special appearance on the Alan Titmarsh show and for companies such as Madame Tussaud’s.

Sophie has also successfully run her own company providing professional dancers and specialty acts for various corporate events.

We are very excited to have Sophie on the team and the pupils are already loving their acrobatic lessons with her.

KerryJane is a fellowship member of the I.S.T.D

Kerry has been teaching for over 30 years and teaches a variety of Genres including Tap, Jazz, Musical Theatre, singing and also specialises in choreography.

Kerry has Choreographed shoes for many theatre venues including the musical Oliver, Grease and Hairspray.

KerryJane has performed in many professional shows including Summer Seasons, Touring With a cabaret group in the UK and abroad, lead roles of Principal Girl in Panto’s such as Aladdin, Mother Goose and Dick Whittington, Dancer on various TV programs such as The National Lottery, Smith and Jones, The Big Breakfast along with many other well known programmes, and was also a Professional cheerleader/Director of the famous Crown Jewel cheerleaders who were part of The London Monarchs American Football Team.

Charlee’s career began at the age of 3 months old when she appeared in an NSPCC Commercial.

Charlee has been in full time training since the age of 11 and has attended Sylvia Young Stage School. She has worked on various professional engagements since then. Her latest role was playing Ed Westwick’s daughter, Natalie Swan in seasons 1 and 2 of White Gold.

Charlee is passionate about delivering all genres of performing arts classes to her students.

Victoria helps to oversee the clerical work of the agency, ensuring that the office runs smoothly and efficiently. Victoria has the job of carrying out many administrative tasks within the office such as sending emails, scheduling appointments, ensuring payments are up to date and filing important documents.

Victoria also processes our hundreds of applications we receive from people wishing for their children to join the agency. She also has the task of keeping on track with all of our lovely client’s renewals and keeping our client database and profiles up to date.

Victoria is easily approachable and you will often find her at the front desk of reception greeting our prospective clients with her radiant smile and warm personable manner.