ABOUT EPA ACADEMY
At EPA Academy, we provide a fun, creative and supportive environment where young performers aged 8–18 can develop their skills, build confidence and discover a love for performing.
Our weekly two-hour classes combine training in acting, singing and dance with real industry knowledge and experience. Whether students are taking their first steps into performing arts or dreaming of a future career on stage or screen, our programme is designed to help every child grow and thrive.
Term One: Building Foundations
The first term focuses on developing core performance skills in a welcoming and encouraging environment. Students explore acting, singing and dance while building confidence and learning the foundations of performance.
Training includes:
Acting for stage and screen
Singing and vocal performance
Dance and movement
Character development and storytelling
Audition skills and confidence building
Introduction to self-taping and on-screen performance
Throughout the year, students will also take part in workshops led by professional performers and creatives, giving them a unique insight into the performing arts industry.
Term Two: Developing Performance Skills
As confidence grows, students begin working towards performance opportunities while continuing to develop their skills across all disciplines.
Evan will lead specialist workshops throughout the term, introducing students to a variety of performance styles and techniques while creating exciting performance pieces. Students will continue to build their confidence and stagecraft through practical, hands-on training.
Guest choreographers and industry professionals will also join the academy throughout the term, working with students on material that may feature in the end-of-year showcase and providing valuable insight into different creative approaches and performance styles.
Term Three: Show TERM
The final term brings everything together as students prepare for EPA Academy's end-of-year showcase.
This exciting performance gives every student the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience, celebrate their progress and showcase everything they have learned throughout the year. It's a fantastic experience that creates lasting memories and builds confidence both on and off the stage.
Industry Experience
EPA Academy offers opportunities that go beyond the classroom.
As founder of EPA Academy and owner of E98 Studios, Evan O'Hanlon brings real industry experience directly into student training. Throughout the year, students will learn about modern audition techniques, self-taping, and what it's like to work in theatre, television and film.
Every student will receive a complimentary professional headshot, included in their first-term fees, helping them begin building their performer portfolio from an early stage.
Students will also have opportunities to take part in guest workshops, masterclasses and Q&A sessions with working performers and industry professionals, helping them gain a deeper understanding of the performing arts world. EPA Academy will also strive to create opportunities for students to meet casting directors, talent agents and professional performers, offering valuable insight into the pathways available within the industry.
Our Goal
Our mission is simple: to create a welcoming environment where young people can have fun, make friends, build confidence and develop their talents while receiving high-quality performing arts training from experienced professionals.
Classes take place every Saturday.
Term One: 12th September 2026 – 21st November 2026
LOCATION
MEET THE FOUNDER EVAN O’ HANLON
With over 15 years of professional experience in theatre, television, film and live performance, Evan O'Hanlon founded EPA Academy to create a place where young people can grow in confidence, develop their creativity and discover a love for performing.
After training at Bird College in London, one of the UK's leading Musical Theatre colleges, Evan enjoyed a career that took him across the world, performing on stage, screen and in live productions. Returning home to Ireland, he wanted to bring that experience to the next generation of performers in the South East.
EPA Academy was created to provide young people with high-quality training in a fun, supportive and encouraging environment. Combining acting, singing and dance with real industry knowledge, students are given the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends, build confidence and express themselves creatively.
Whether a student dreams of a career in theatre, television or film, or simply wants to enjoy the many benefits that performing arts can offer, EPA Academy is committed to helping every young performer reach their full potential and enjoy every step of the journey.
CREDITS INCLUDE
TV & Film: The Album (Short Film), Disenchanted (Disney Plus), ‘Epic’ Pilot Episode (Disney Plus), Mr Malcolm’s List (Universal Pictures), BGT The Champions ITV (Wembley Arena) , Brit Awards - PINK BackUp Dancer - (O2 Arena London), Centenary (RTE 1 Bórd Gais) and Moone Boy (Sky1 HD).
Theatre: Alice In Wonderland (UAE Tour), Madhatters Circus (UK Tour), The Wave (European Tour).
Pantomime: Evan is no stranger to pantomime, starting out in the Olympia Panto Dublin at nine years old and remaining a dancer for seven years. He then moved on to UCH Limerick for over eight years as Ensemble/Cover/DC for five consecutive Pantomimes, then leading roles in Peter Pan, Sleeping Beauty & Mother Goose. Most recently, he has moved into a more creative role as choreographer whilst also playing the title role of ‘Jack’ in Jack And The Beanstalk (SETU Arena).
Evan has also toured panto internationally in lead roles in Treasure Island (QE2 Dubai), Cinderella (Abu Dhabi) and appeared in Dubai Showtime at the Jumeirah Theatre, which consisted of five different pantomimes over a four-week run.
Evan has become the face of Elite South East as their presenter.
Trained: The College Of Dance, CPA Studios, Bird College UK
