Performing arts have long served as a powerful medium for expression, creativity, and storytelling, captivating audiences across generations. Beyond entertainment, they cultivate discipline, resilience, and emotional intelligence, profoundly shaping individuals. With changing times, the arts are progressing to embrace inclusivity, mental well-being, and personal development, creating a more holistic experience for performers.
The focus is shifted from mere technical excellence to developing an environment where young talent can grow, not only as artists but also as individuals prepared for the realities of the industry. As the performing arts world expands, it integrates new methodologies to nurture confidence, adaptability, and perseverance, ensuring that aspiring performers are equipped with the tools to steer their journeys effectively.
As a CEO and prominent leader in this space, Shelley Otway Wood profoundly understands the industry’s triumphs and challenges. Her journey from performer to mentor has shaped her empathetic and insightful leadership style, allowing her to guide students beyond the stage. She instills in them the importance of preparation, resilience, and professionalism, ensuring they are ready for the unpredictable nature of the arts. In 2025, she embraces two new roles as a business coach specializing in the performing arts and as an award judge, further expanding her impact on the industry.
Shelley’s approach goes beyond teaching performance techniques; she prioritizes emotional and physical well-being, embedding values that extend into all aspects of life. Through her leadership, she cultivates an environment that balances ambition with realism, ensuring that each student is prepared for success and the setbacks that inevitably come with the profession.
Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow demonstrates this philosophy, creating opportunities for aspiring performers while maintaining an inclusive and supportive environment. The institution has gained recognition for its commitment to excellence, with students achieving milestones in significant productions and industry platforms. Beyond professional success, the organization highlights personal growth, ensuring everyone who walks through its doors finds confidence and a sense of belonging. Combining structured training with a nurturing approach inspires young artists, reinforcing the belief that success in the performing arts is not just about talent but also character, perseverance, and preparation.
Let’s explore Shelley’s mentorship role in performing arts success:
Coaching Beyond the Stage
Dancing from 8 years old and participating in musicals and plays professionally means Shelley knows precisely what to expect from her students. The industry is full of many highs, but also the crash felt as a performer when the show is over is something Shelley now coaches her students on. Having been there and done that, she coaches students on “getting the job” and how to behave and maintain vocal and physical health. Most importantly, she teaches the harsh reality of the industry but in a nurturing way.
She highlights, “One moment, you are signing autographs and playing a leading role, and the next, you are handing out cheese in Sainsbury’s with a sandwich board over your head!” Performing on tour and worldwide means that although Shelley loves the industry, there are many things to consider, including the inevitable times of unemployment and how to manage those times without giving up.
Inclusivity in the Performing Arts
Shelley believes there are many rewards in witnessing young talent flourish. In the early stages of the school, seeing students gain professional work was the most significant achievement. However, since becoming a mother, witnessing a child who has zero confidence make friends within the establishment and then go on to perform and say stage lines has become the most rewarding experience.
The school has seen students at opening nights in Les Miserables, The Stage Awards, and Matilda, which is incredible. However, nowadays, there are many children with SEN needs. Although it is not an SEN specialist school, Steppin Out Stars of Tomorrow strives to be as inclusive as possible. Achieving balance is challenging, and it would be impossible without the incredible team. Enforcing core values and strength within the team is the foundation of any well-run business.
Aligning Personal and Professional Values
She consistently promotes the school’s core values. When she identified her values, it was quite ironic how much they aligned with her school’s core values.
Shelley follows these daily: Kindness, Fun, Inspiring, Determination, and Professionalism. The school has a badge system where students can earn badges for these values, and they love collecting them. They display the badges on their lanyards for shows. Shelley believes that physical and mental well-being is crucial.
She goes to the gym, does a class every morning, and practices yoga twice weekly. Maintaining a clear headspace and a calm approach to work is essential to avoid making knee-jerk reactions and to function clearly. This is something Shelley has prioritized in 2025.
Building a Strong Foundation for Growth
She believes having strong values, rather than just putting them on a website because they sound good, creates a firm foundation for any business. When making a decision, Shelley often thinks, “Was that a kind one?” or “Was that professional?” When these values are embedded into the daily running of any business, growth occurs naturally.
Staying Focused with Coaching and Mentorship
Shelley discovered Google Calendar this year, which has been life-changing and helped her stay organized. While she still uses a paper diary, she is almost entirely digital. It may sound crazy, but minor tweaks in a business’s daily operations lead to the bigger picture, growth, and staying sane. Family life has been affected significantly over the years. Shelley recalls even being on gas and air in labor, contacting parents of her school (before the days of email) to inform them she wouldn’t be there 12 years ago.
That would never happen now! Shelley tries to block out 2 days off a week, with Sunday always being a family day, and she sticks to that. In her new pursuits, she time-blocks CEO time, a technique she learned from her excellent business coach, Katie Cannon. She has invested in coaching through one-to-one mentorships and dance business days to stay focused and full of fresh ideas. Running a business can be very demanding and lonely at times, so having a business mentor has undoubtedly shaped the business owner she is today.
Investing in Mentorship and Arts Days
She has consistently invested in mentorships and specialist business performing arts days, which have always helped drive the business forward. She has spent thousands of pounds investing in these initiatives, and they have undoubtedly shaped the school, establishing it as a leader in the performing arts industry.
Shelley also ensures that a young team member, fresh out of dance and drama college, is part of the team to stay updated with the latest trends. Personally, Shelley coaches students one-on-one for necessary West End auditions due to their specialized nature. She has a 100% success rate in getting students into West End shows and drama and dance colleges, purely due to her extensive experience as a performer, and the years of knowledge she passes on to her students.
Building Positive Relationships in the Industry
Shelley reflects that it has always been the same. The industry has always been challenging, and one must have the skin of a rhino to endure it. She recalls being told at age 26 that she looked “too old” to play Belle in Beauty and the Beast and was 2 inches too short for another job. She believes one must embrace “what you are.” Being incredibly petite, Shelley was given roles with an actual “conventional, period look.” After some time, one realizes the bracket in which they fit. Shelley acknowledges that she would never be in “We Will Rock You” because she wasn’t funky enough. Students must come to terms with and establish their casting.
Even when finances are tight, working hard, maintaining singing lessons, and taking dance classes are crucial. It is essential to save money from the jobs one does. Shelley recalls blowing her first paycheck on shoes and receiving a big tax bill.
She highlights the importance of being nice to people on the way up because one never knows when they will be back down again. Shelley spent her entire career getting referrals from directors and choreographers, not always because she was the best, but because she was a good company member.
And probably the most important advice: NEVER BE LATE! For any audition or rehearsal.
Envisioning Future Growth and Expansion
Steppin Out has been fortunate to win several recognized business awards over the past few years. In 2024, the school received a Silver Stevie® Award in the Best Female Entrepreneur – Consumer Services – 10 or Less Employees category in the 21st annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business, which Shelley flew to New York to collect in person.
Additionally, the school received two Silver Best Businesswomen Awards for Most Inspiring Businesswoman and Best Business, along with Gold awards for Children’s Theatre School of the Year 2024, Best Local Children’s Theatre School—Home Counties 2024, Business Leader of the Year, and Best Businesswoman Working with Children and Families. Shelley has loved sharing these successes with her students and staff, encouraging them to aim for the stars.
Shelley aims to continue Steppin Out’s success and growth, envisioning more venues and eventually having its premises. Given the high costs in their area, finding funding and financially viable venues is challenging. Shelley wants to encourage more students from all backgrounds and nationalities to attend the school, ensuring their well-being, future, and development are cared for.