High Horizons

Whilst at Mersey Television Ann Marie and Suzanne travelled nationwide delivering Script to Screen workshops, they realised that by having a celebrity status, youngsters really took notice of what they had to say. During their time at Brookside there was a very powerful storyline that Phil Redmond the Executive producer had created on the topic of Bullying. They recognised that there was something that could be done by devising workshops by using drama as a vehicle to tackle such major issues.

High Horizons is fully supported by the Anti Bullying Alliance and Childline, the girls feel that youngsters will listen to them more so than an authoritive figure. Setting up their own company seemed a natural progression, they feel that they can help the children of our future overcome major life hurdles and can help them build confidence, self discipline and many other skills which will help them to set standards for life.

Ann Marie Davies

Ann Marie Davies was born on 22nd October 1975 in Birkenhead on the Wirral, where she grew up with father Roy, mother Marie and her two brothers Carl and Roy. From an early age she joined Barbara Johnsons Stage School in which she undertook a variety of dance classes. She performed at the Floral Pavillion in many of Barbara Johnsons Stage shows.
Ann Marie had always been interested in dance and drama from when she was young, but as she developed her passion for sport took over. Park high school was where she begun her secondary education and here is where her enthusiasm for sport started to play a major part in her life.

At 15 she represented Wirral at hockey and volleyball and even played for the boys basketball and football teams.Volleyball was the one sport were she developed as an athlete and was elected to represent England U19. Played against teams such as Germany and Poland, she was also chosen to be part of Manchester United ladies Division 1 national league team and has since been heavily interested in the Volleyball Development Plan, teaching the fun development of volleyball to youngsters on the Wirral. She also trained for 2 years in Thai boxing.At the early age of 18 she began to model and her mum Marie entered her photograph into a competition in a local paper. She won the title of Miss Wirral Globe in 1995 and from then on went onto winning titles such as Miss Merseyside, Miss Manchester and was a finalist in the Miss United Kingdom contest.

At 21, whilst studying performing arts at Borough Road college she went for an audition at Mersey Television where she landed the role of Katrina Evans in the Liverpool based Soap opera Brookside.
Here is where she met Suzanne Collins her best friend and now business partner, they appeared together for a number of years, playing also best friends on screen. Ann Marie has starred in numerous theatre productions one of which was alongside Shane Conner from the Australian Soap Opera Neighbours. She toured the UK in a comedy "Anyone for Breakfast" by Derek Benfield, playing the part of Helga, a German air hostess. She also played the part of Rita in Billy Liar in the North East City of Durham.
Over the past six years she has also been involved in numerous pantomimes, in the lead parts of Aladdin, Cinderella and the part of a fairy in Snowflake at Christmas 2004, which took her back to her home town theatre The Floral Pavillion in New Brighton.

Ann Marie starred in the Sky One hit series 'Is Harry on the boat' which was filmed in Spain, she played single mum Aleesha. Granada's Lunchtime Live asked Ann Marie to present four episodes of their afternoon show and she also presented The Reverent Bob Torque show where she had to use her acting skills to gain the trust of general public.

Ann Marie has been heavily involved with a number of charities. She travelled to Cape Town, South Africa, to appear in Sky Ones Celebrity Fear Factor with DJ Spooky Ralph Little, MC Harvey, Terry Dwyer and Abs from 5, here is where she faced her fears of creepy crawlies and won £8,000 her charity, When You wish Upon a Star, which she is a patron for.

In March 2006 Ann Marie will be due to give birth to her first child, a baby girl, naturally her and partner Karl are extremely delighted and are looking forward to their new addition.

Suzanne Collins

Born in Liverpool, brought up in the North End of Birkenhead, Suzanne has always loved singing, dancing and acting and from the age of 2 she performed in many pantomimes, musical shows and competitions.

Whilst studying A Level Performing Arts in Dance, Drama and Music and English Language and Literature at Birkenhead Sixth Form College, she was encouraged by her drama teacher Drew Rolands to audition for the role of Nikki Shadwick in Channel 4's much loved soap opera 'Brookside'.Over the years, through her potrayal of 'Nikki', we saw her explore many contempory issues through a variety of demanding roles, which won her a special place in fans hearts.

After Brookside, Suzanne took time out to become a mum to her beautiful baby daughter Mya.

Suzanne has recently appeared as 'Sue Gilmore' in the BBC1 television series of 'Doctors'. In spring 2007 she also landed the role of 'Davina Coulson' in ITV1 s drama series The Bill.

Other credits include her first feature film ''Lycanthrophy' for the Rotunda Film Company which had its debut at The Cannes Film Festival.  She has also starred in; 'Streetheat' an educational film about fire related antisocial behaviour, part of L'pools 'It s Not Ok' programme.

Suzanne has presented  Wish You Where Here for ITV1 and Xchange for the BBC.

Last August she achieved tremendous critical acclaim as 'Maggie' at Liverpool 's Royal Court Theatre in  the sensational comedy' Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels', which is returning by public demand for 6 weeks this year July-August, tickets sales are through the roof so book now if you want the best night out available in Liverpool.

Most recently applauded for her perfomance of the ' My Angry Vagina' monologue within the prestigous Vagina Monolgues, Suzanne supported 'V' day with compassion and excellence.

Straight from filming the feature film 'Step Dad' directed and starring with Mark Moraghan (Brookside's on screen dad Greg Shadwick and Holby City favourite ) Co -starring Ricky Tomlinson and Louis Emerick.  Suzanne has enjoyed rekindling old friendships and is looking forward to the premiere later on this year.

Alongside fellow actress, Ann Davies, Suzanne is Co-Director of  their own company 'High Horizons'. Particularly from their work on T,V  the girls recognised, through the power of the media the positive impact they have on young people as role models, female entrepreneurs and working mums. High Horizons offers a variety of stimulating workshops using drama as a vehicle to explore many issues. Most popular being their Anti Bullying  Workshop which is supported by Anti-Bullying Alliance and Childline.Their specialist Script to Screen Workshop has led to young people making their own short films. Performing Arts Camps, Personal appearance, Guest Host events and private tuition.

As a big fan of Active Drama's productions, Suzanne is honoured to be a part of the Bully production and promises that in real life she is a nice person.

*See O.K magazine article