🌟 ICV Spotlight: Mike from Acting in English
Create. Play. Communicate.
Meeting Mike
At International Community Valencia, we love sharing stories of people who make this city feel more connected and creative.
This edition introduces Mike Lee, founder of Acting in English — a performing arts school in Ruzafa where language, imagination, and community come together.
Mike has also earned the ICV Trusted Service Badge for his commitment to teaching with care and authenticity — values that mirror what ICV stands for.
The Story Behind the Stage
Mike grew up in a small village in the UK, where weekends often meant theatre trips to London. After studying Politics and starting out in finance, he soon realised numbers weren’t where his heart was.
“I’ve always been a creative person,” he says simply.
Life took a turn the night he met his future wife, Rosario. Two years later, they moved to Valencia in 2008, settling in Ruzafa just as the neighbourhood began to change.
After years working in international companies, Mike felt the pull back to performance. He trained at the Escuela del Actor and spent several years teaching wherever he could find space — dance studios, scout halls, even borrowed rooms — until finally opening his own school.
What Acting in English Offers
Today, Acting in English is a creative home for more than 300 students of all ages and backgrounds. Classes include:
🎭 Acting and Musical Theatre
🎤 Singing and Choir
💬 English for Performers (A2 and above)
🎶 Improv, Songwriting, and Creative Theatre
🗣️ Monthly workshops: professional actor training, contemporary theatre, public speaking, drama games, creative writing, and more
👧 Courses for children (ages 4+), teens, and adults
“It’s not about learning perfect English,” says Mike. “It’s about using English to create, to express, and to bring stories to life.”
The approach is playful and practical. Mike believes strongly in learning through play:
“When people play, they stop worrying about getting things right — and that’s when real learning happens.”
Connection Through Creativity
Parents often notice the change first: their children come out of class full of confidence and ideas. Adults rediscover something they thought they’d lost — the joy of expressing themselves.
Acting in English isn’t just a school; it’s a meeting point for Valencia’s international community. In any given class you’ll find students from the Americas, Europe, and Asia — all learning to communicate through performance.
Why It Matters
Mike believes drama should be part of every child’s education because it teaches empathy, confidence, and teamwork.
As both a teacher and a parent, he’s passionate about giving children a platform to express themselves and build real-world confidence — skills that last far beyond the stage.
Connect
📍 Calle Cádiz 29, Ruzafa, Valencia
📱 Instagram: @actinginenglish_vlc
Mike’s next performance:
Me haría mucha ilusión si pudierais verme en una obra cómica, brillante y premiada el sábado 25/10/25 a las 20.00. De verdad vais a disfrutar y reír muchísimo! 😃 Avisadme si queréis venir ❤️https://www.teatrocarolina.com/la-soledad-de-la-naufraga/
22 Nov 2025 Onda
✨ ICV Spotlight ✨
Every month, we shine a light on the people who make Valencia feel like home — bridging international and local communities through creativity, kindness, and connection.
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🌟 ICV Spotlight celebrates the people who make Valencia shine — one story at a time.