About Emil Dale

1984

Born

United Kingdom

I was born in the United Kingdom to my Arab mother, Lika Dale, and my English father, Patrick Dale. My mum was the strongest and most resilient person I have ever known.

1987

Loss

United Kingdom

My father, Patrick, died in a car accident. With no family around us, my mum raised me alone.

1988

Homeless

Arlesey

My mum and I found ourselves in impossible circumstances which left us homeless. Eventually we were placed in temporary accommodation in Arlesey. There was no inside toilet or bathroom. My mum was a qualified English teacher and desperately tried to find work, but she struggled because her qualifications from different countries were not recognised in the UK.

1992

Move to Biggleswade, Bedfordshire

Biggleswade, Bedfordshire

My mum and I were fortunate enough to be placed in a council house. It was a lifeline for us because we finally had a place we could call home. My mum got a job as an English teacher at North Hertfordshire College, which helped improve our overall situation.

1999

Fantasia

Church Hall

I created my first self written show in a church hall, with help from my mum and friends.

2001

Fluid Theatre Company (age 17)

United Kingdom

I launched my first theatre company. I created early original work, including The Habit That Kicks You. This was the first show I produced and wrote.

2003

Receptionist at Toni & Guy

United Kingdom

I worked here on and off for six years, before, during, and after drama school. I learned about brand, service, retention, processes, systems, and people.

2004

National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT)

National Theatre, London

I performed at the National Theatre with NYT and met some incredible people who really inspired me.

2004–2007

Arts Ed London (BA Musical Theatre, scholarship)

Arts Educational School, London

I learned discipline, hard work, and how the industry really works. The people who raise the bar often become lifelong collaborators.

2009

Launches Emil Dale School of Performing Arts in Hitchin (Part-Time)

Hitchin

I launched Emil Dale School of Performing Arts with £60 worth of flyers. I did not know it at the time, but it was the start of everything that exists today. I began with 22 students in one primary school hall in Hitchin.

2011

Opens small office in Pixmore Avenue, Letchworth

Pixmore Avenue, Letchworth

I opened my first office as the part time school continued to grow.

2012

DHA Agency (Dale Hammond Associates)

United Kingdom

I co founded the talent representation arm with Vicky Hammond, a friend from primary school.

2014

Launches Emil Dale Studios & Sixth Form

Wilbury Way, Hitchin

I launched my first full time course, Sixth Form, focused on all round musical theatre training. I also took out my first five year lease on an old, disused factory in Wilbury Way, Hitchin.

2015

Launches Factory Playhouse Theatre

Hitchin

I believed we could build a theatre on the first floor of the factory premises. When we first viewed Wilbury Way, some ceiling tiles were missing and I could see there was real height up there. By May 2015, we had built a two hundred seater theatre with a revolving stage, The Factory Playhouse. Our inaugural show was West Side Story. It remains one of my proudest achievements.

Since then I have directed and produced over 30 full scale musicals. You can see the full list here: www.factoryplayhouse.com/productions/

2018

Launches BA (Hons) pathway

University of Bedfordshire

I launched a new university awarded degree delivered at Emil Dale, concentrating on all round musical theatre training.

2019

Launches 2nd building LIME Studios

Hitchin

I opened a second building around the corner from the main site, adding five more studios. Lime is Emil backwards.

2021

Launches Factory Playhouse Productions

Hitchin

I launched Factory Playhouse Productions to produce professional productions and to make and develop new work. We began with Kin, a new musical written by me and Stefan Kelk.

May 2022

KIN Other Palace Theatre in London

Other Palace Theatre, London

I produced Kin in London.

Aug 2022

KIN premieres (Factory Playhouse)

Factory Playhouse, Hitchin

Kin, a new British musical in development, had its world premiere. It sold out.

Nov 2023

KIN London production

Teatro Technis, King's Cross

We played nine sold out performances.

Sept 2025

Launches multi-million pound campus

The Broadway, Letchworth Garden City

Emil Dale Academy relocated to a ground breaking multi million pound facility in Letchworth, Hertfordshire. The new facility spans 56,000 square feet over two storeys, with 22 studios and dedicated spaces for singing, acting, dance, and musical theatre training. It includes a costume and props workshop, eight private one to one singing rooms, a content creation studio, and a fully equipped on site theatre, with access to a third 450 seater theatre across the road.

FOUNDER

THEATRE-MAKER

INVESTOR

LATEST PROJECT | KIN The Musical