TOGY was founded in 1996 by Lois Upton Holt (known to her friends as Bette). Bette was a graduate of the Royal College of Music and had performed across the UK in a variety of musicals, cabarets and variety shows. Upon retirement from the industry, she recognised that Shropshire was lacking in fully qualified singing teachers, so, with the help of her drama teacher mother (Florence) she 'set up shop' in Telford, teaching singing out of her spare room to a handful of students.

Florence Upton Holt was a qualified voice and drama teacher, and soon began to offer speech and drama lessons in addition to her daughter's singing classes. The Holts soon realised that the quality and potential of their students merited much more than just 1 to 1 lessons. Technique was one thing, but group interaction was vital. So to raise money for the families of the victims of the 'Dunblaine massacre', Bette gathered her flock to put on a show. Thus Theatre of Gifted Youth was born.

In the beginning there were only around 10 students between 12-16, but they were dedicated, sparky and keen to learn. The school began to grow and needed more staff so Bette enlisted the help of two performer friends Dave and Christine Garood to assist in drama and vocal studies, followed by celebrated actor and writer Robert Longdon.

In 1998 two ex-students Matt Rozier and Jezz Grainger returned to take up the reigns of the drama department. Matt had just started his course at drama school and felt that the school was too vocally orientated, and many other competing schools were either am-dram groups or dance schools. Matt, Bette, Flo and Jezz worked together to bring a more rounded 'triple threat' training to the school. Gone were the days of being an actor, singer or dancer: to get work, you needed to be skilled in all three disciplines. Students began to appear in professional productions and gain places in drama schools, and when Bette took some student to appear on 'My Kind of People', Michael Barrymore said the students of TOGY had 'knocked his socks off'.

In 2000, award winning playwright Patrick McConnell joined the fold mentoring the junior group. Casualty's Emily Dormer joins us to mentor the intermediate group whilst Matt continues his role mentoring the seniors. Ami Mills bursts onto the scene as our resident choreographer.

With great sadness our founder Bette lost her battle against Leukemia in 2003, and the school mourns, but all those involved determine to keep Bette's legacy alive and TOGY continues under the headhsip of Flo whilst Matt manages the day to day running of the school. Actor and ex-student Dean Leon Finlan joins us taking over from Patrick and acclaimed jazz singer Lizzy Parks joins us to teach singing.

Ex-student Jody Tranter joins from Guilford School of Acting in 2003 to become head of musical theatre and when Lizzy leaves, Opera singer Christine Sjoelander joins us to teach singing.

The shows now delve deeper into the arts, looking at self devised work, pantomimes, european theatre and full length pieces.

Sadly, Flo passes away in 2007, and leaves the school to Matt and Jody. Although both based in London they aim to relaunch the school and to 'slicken it up'.

TOGY relaunched with 'Godspell' at Oakengates theatre in July 2007, followed by 'Pippin', 'Memory of Water' and most recently 'Lord of the Flies'. New dance teacher Louise joins us and the voice department is filled out with ex-student and Guildford graduate Ben Paul.