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FOUNDER

THEATRE-MAKER

INVESTOR

Emil's Story

Emil Dale is a British Arab director, producer, writer, and education leader. He is the Founder of Emil Dale Academy, one of the UK's leading training institutions for all round musical theatre. In August 2024, he relocated the Academy to a new multi-million-pound, state-of-the-art campus in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, a milestone for all-round training excellence and a significant step for the company. Emil is among the first people of colour to lead a UK drama school: www.emildale.co.uk.

He is also the Founder of Factory Playhouse Productions Ltd and the producer of KIN a new British musical, which completed a sold-out run in London's King's Cross following earlier development and performances including The Other Palace. Emil actively develops new British musicals and partners with creative teams to take work from workshop to stage.

Beyond education and production, Emil co-founded Dale Hammond Associates, a talent agency, and created The Factory Playhouse—a 200 seat theatre in an old disused factory in Hertfordshire: www.factoryplayhouse.com. The theatre has been running for over 10 years.

Since 2015, Emil has produced and directed 30+ public productions, including: West Side Story (2015), Oliver! (2016), Romeo & Juliet (2016), Grease (2016), Les Misérables (2017), Hairspray (2018), Sweeney Todd (2018), West End Concert at the O2 Indigo (2019), In The Heights (2019), Thoroughly Modern Millie (2019), Little Shop of Horrors (2020), Spring Awakening (2021), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2022), Made in Dagenham (2022), Footloose (2022), The Wedding Singer (2023), Disney's The Little Mermaid (2023), KIN (2022–2023), The Wizard of Oz (2024), Carrie (2024) and Legally Blonde (2024).

Emil trained in Musical Theatre at Arts Educational Schools, London (ArtsEd). Early career highlights include National Youth Theatre and National Youth Music Theatre, with appearances and work at the National Theatre, Sadler's Wells, the Edinburgh Fringe, and Sondheim's 75th Birthday Celebration at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

He is currently seeking to collaborate with producers, investors, theatres, directors, choreographers, writers, and new musical teams.

Emil Dale
Emil Dale
Emil Dale
Emil Dale

LATEST PROJECT | KIN The Musical

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1984
Born
United Kingdom
Born to an Arab mother, Lika Dale, and an English father, Patrick Dale. His mum was the strongest and most resilient person he ever knew.
Emil Dale photo
1987
Loss
United Kingdom
Patrick, Emil's father, tragically dies in a car accident. With very little family, Lika found herself bringing up Emil alone with no income and small child.
Emil Dale photo
1988
Homeless
Arlesey
Unable to keep up with the rent they were eventually placed in a half-way temporary accommodation in Arlesey. No inside toilette or bathroom. Emil's mum tried to find work but struggled as she was a foreigner with qualifications from different countries.
1992
Move to Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
Emil and Lika were placed in a council house. This was a lifeline for Emil's mother as they had a place they could call home.
Emil Dale photo
1999
Fantasia
Church Hall
Emil's first self-written show in a church hall with help from Mum and friends. Proof you can make something from nothing.
Emil Dale photo
2001
Fluid Theatre Company (age 17)
United Kingdom
Emil's first theatre company was launched. Early original work (The Habit That Kicks You). Step from hobby to habit.
Emil Dale photo
2003
Receptionist at Toni & Guy
United Kingdom
Emil worked on and off here for six years before, during, and after drama school. Learned about brand, service, retention, processes, systems and people.
Emil Dale photo
2004
National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT)
National Theatre, London
Emil performed at the National Theatre with NYMT.
2004–2007
Arts Ed London (BA Musical Theatre, scholarship)
Arts Educational School, London
Here Emil learnt everything about discipline, hard work and the industry. People who raise the bar become lifelong collaborators.
Emil Dale photo
2009
Launches Emil Dale School of Performing Arts in Hitchin (Part-Time)
Hitchin
Launch of Emil Dale School of Performing Arts with £60 worth of flyers. He did not know it at the time, but this was the start of everything we see today. Starting with 22 students, in one primary-school hall in Hitchin.
Emil Dale photo
2011
Opens small office in Pixmore Avenue, Letchworth
Pixmore Avenue, Letchworth
Emil opened the first office as the part-time school grew.
Emil Dale photo
2012
DHA Agency (Dale Hammond Associates)
United Kingdom
Emil co-founded talent representation arm with Vicky Hammond, a friend from Primary School.
Emil Dale photo
2014
Launches Emil Dale Studios & Sixth Form
Wilbury Way, Hitchin
Emil launched first full-time course (Sixth Form) in all round musical theatre and took out the first 5-year lease on an old, disused Factory in Wilbury Way, Hitchin.
Emil Dale photo
2015
Launches Factory Playhouse Theatre
Hitchin
Emil was sure a theatre could be built on the first floor of the Factory premises when the team looked around at Wilbury Way - the stud ceiling had some missing tiles which meant he could see that the ceiling had height. By May 2015, a 200-seater theatre with a revolving stage was built – The Factory Playhouse. Inaugural show: West Side Story. One of Emil's proudest achievements.
Emil Dale photo
2018
Launches BA (Hons) pathway
University of Bedfordshire
A new University-awarded degree delivered at Emil Dale concentrating on all round musical theatre training.
Emil Dale photo
2019
Launches 2nd building LIME Studios
Hitchin
Second building was opened around the corner from the main building; five more studios. "LIME" is "Emil" backwards.
Emil Dale photo
2021
Launches Factory Playhouse Productions
Hitchin
The aim was to produce professional productions, and to make and develop new work. Starting with Kin a new musical, written by Emil and Stefan Kelk.
Emil Dale photo
May 2022
KIN Other Palace Theatre in London
Other Palace Theatre, London
Emil produces in London.
Emil Dale photo
Aug 2022
KIN premieres (Factory Playhouse)
Factory Playhouse, Hitchin
New British musical in development world premiere – Sold out.
Emil Dale photo
Nov 2023
KIN London production
Teatro Technis, King's Cross
Nine sold-out performances.
Emil Dale photo
Sept 2025
Launches multi-million pound campus
The Broadway, Letchworth Garden City
Emil Dale Academy relocates to a ground-breaking multi-million-pound facility in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. The new facility spans 56,000 square feet over two stories, featuring 22 studios, including dedicated spaces for singing, acting, dance, and musical theatre training. It includes a costume and props workshop, 8 private 1-to-1 singing rooms, a content creation studio, and a fully equipped on-site theatre, with access to a third 450 seater theatre across the road.
Emil Dale photo
© Copyright Emil Dale 2025