Backed by working West End & screen professionals.
DPTA is proud to have two extremely accomplished Patrons from Musical Theatre, Film and Television. Our Patrons represent the calibre of training DPTA offers, and endorse our deep passion for professional, quality training in the Theatre Arts.
Imelda Staunton
Imelda Staunton has performed in a variety of plays and musicals in London, winning four Olivier Awards — three for Best Actress in a Musical, for her roles as the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods (1991), Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (2013) and Mama Rose in Gypsy (2016) — and one for Best Supporting Performance, for A Chorus of Disapproval (1985). Further stage appearances in The Beggar's Opera (1982), The Wizard of Oz (1987), Uncle Vanya (1988), Guys and Dolls (1996), Entertaining Mr Sloane (2009) and Good People (2014) have also earned her Olivier nominations, bringing her total to eleven.
Her film roles include Mrs Blatherwick in Nanny McPhee (2005), Dolores Umbridge in two of the Harry Potter films (2007–2010) and Hefina Headon in Pride (2014). She voiced the Talking Flowers in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland (2010), starred in the ghost film The Awakening (2011), and co-starred in Maleficent and the British comedy-drama Pride in 2014. She later took a voice role in Paddington (2014), and has narrated The Gruffalo for an audiobook of Julia Donaldson's children's book.
"DPTA students don't know how lucky they are."Imelda Staunton
Jim Carter
Jim Carter was born in Harrogate, Yorkshire — the town where DPTA's own journey began. He is best known for playing Mr Carson in the ITV historical drama Downton Abbey (2010–2015), a role that earned him four Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and which he has reprised in each of the Downton Abbey feature films, including Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025).
Through the 1990s Jim built an extensive film career with leading roles in The Witches (1990), Black Beauty (1994), The Madness of King George (1994), Richard III (1995) and Brassed Off (1996), followed by The Little Vampire (2000), 102 Dalmatians (2000) and Ella Enchanted (2004). He is married to fellow DPTA Patron Imelda Staunton.
The Staunton & Carter Scholarships
Each year, the Staunton and Carter Scholarships offer talented young students a full year's training at DPTA in their chosen training programme.