Our Team

Hot Box showgirl in a gold sequin bodice and black gown sings before a red tinsel backdrop during Guys and Dolls at Phoenix Theatre.

Clare Haggart BEM - Founder and Director

Clare established Phoenix Theatre in 1990 and Phoenix Youth Theatre in 1999, alongside her co-founder, the late Liz Milne BEM. She has an extensive theatrical background, which includes training under Annie Inglis MBE in Attic Theatre and acting as an Assistant Director for four Aberdeen Student Shows. A former professional television actress and Equity member, Clare was awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday 2019 Honours List for services to theatre and the arts.

Snow White pantomime Fairy in a pink sequined dress performs with a wand before the ensemble at Phoenix Theatre.


Claire Milne - Director

Claire joined the Phoenix Family in 2019 and stepped into her new role as Phoenix Youth Theatre teacher in the summer of 2024. She has been a registered teacher for over 10 years, with a PGCE in Primary Education. Before moving back home to Aberdeen, Claire developed her own impressive theatrical pedigree, which included earning a BA (Hons) in Performance, starring in three shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and experience directing or choreographing multiple shows in Leeds.

Tevye stands center stage with an outstretched hand, bearded and in cap and leather vest, singing against a purple-sunset backdrop in Phoenix Theatre’s Fiddler on the Roof.

Kevin Haggart - Musical Director

Our Musical Director is Kevin Haggart FRSA BMus, MMus, PGCE, MISM, who has over 30 years’ experience and was Director of Music at Robert Gordon’s College. As a composer and arranger, he has had many works performed in the North-East, including civic fanfares, for the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Mikhail Gorbachev, in addition to anthems and chamber music. Kevin is no stranger to performing on stage himself, most notably starring as Tevye in Phoenix Theatre’s 2019 production of Fiddler on the Roof.

Cinderella in a white-and-gold ballgown sings on a forest set during Phoenix Theatre’s Into the Woods.

Katie Baxter - Choreographer

Following in the footsteps of her mum, Liz Milne BEM, Katie studied as a member of Phoenix Youth Theatre from an early age and brings her years of experience as a dancer and leading lady to our dance classes. A Practice Educator within NHS Grampian and holder of an MSc in Nursing, Katie is working towards a Clinical Doctorate with the University of Stirling. Since stepping up to the role of Choreographer, Katie has strengthened Phoenix’s long history of impressive, showstopping numbers, whilst ensuring that the classes she and her team of teachers provide are welcoming to children of all levels.

Our team look forward to hearing from you today.