Since February 1952
Seventy years in the heart of Blackpool
Three generations of one family, thousands of students, and a stage tradition that still fills the Grand Theatre.
Our founder
Beryl Johnson Whittaker
Beryl trained at Blackpool Theatre Arts before performing as a leading dancer at the Tower Circus, and appeared in the 1948 Royal Command Performance at the London Palladium alongside Danny Kaye and Julie Andrews.
In February 1952 she opened the Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre on Hornby Road. It has never left the family: eighteen years after Beryl's death her husband Jack is still involved, their daughter Sheila is principal, and granddaughter Sinead is already teaching alongside her.
We are proud to be the longest standing dance and drama centre in Blackpool, and prouder still that so many of our current pupils are the children — and grandchildren — of former students.
Our heritage
Moments that made us
1952
It begins
Beryl Johnson Whittaker founds the Whittaker Dance and Drama Centre in February 1952, in the heart of Blackpool.
1948
A Royal Command
Before founding the school, Beryl trained at Blackpool Theatre Arts, performed as a leading dancer at the Tower Circus and appeared in the 1948 Royal Command Performance at the London Palladium alongside Danny Kaye and Julie Andrews.
1981
The Grand Theatre
Whittaker's becomes the first amateur company to perform at the recently-saved Grand Theatre Blackpool, staging My Fair Lady with Sheila as Eliza Doolittle.
Today
A family affair
Still in the same family — Jack remains involved and daughter Sheila is principal, with Sinead hoped to carry the centre into a third generation.
2026
World At Your Feet
Forty-four years on, Whittaker's pupils return to the Grand Theatre from 5–8 March with World At Your Feet, celebrating the centre's 74th anniversary.
Our team
Teachers who stay with you
Qualified, DBS-checked and genuinely invested in every student who walks through the door.
Principal
Sheila Ganley
Daughter of founder Beryl, Sheila has led Whittaker's for decades and teaches ballet, tap, modern, Irish and LAMDA drama. She played Eliza Doolittle in the centre's landmark 1981 Grand Theatre production.
Ballet & Acro
Michelle McCaw
Michelle teaches Royal Academy of Dance ballet alongside our full Acro programme, from Mini through to Intermediate. Placeholder biography — send us her words and we'll drop them straight in.
Tap, Modern & Irish
Amanda Southworth
Amanda brings energy and precision to tap, modern-jazz and Irish classes for children and adults alike. Placeholder biography — ready for your copy.
Assistant Teacher
Sinead Ganley
The third generation of the Whittaker family, Sinead assists across the timetable and teaches tap alongside Sheila. Placeholder biography — ready for your copy.
Honorary Patron
Richard Darbourne
A former Whittaker's pupil and freelance theatre producer, recently honoured with a BAFA Award for Best New Musical for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Our values
More than just dance
Confidence, creativity, friendship and discipline — the things students carry long after the final bow.
Join us
Ready to become part of the Whittaker family?
Book a free trial class today and see why generations of Blackpool families have grown up on our studio floor.