In 2006 Stephen graduated with a distinction from the MA Voice Studies programme at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Text and voice coaching has subsequently become a significant part of his working life and in 2011 he became a designated Linklater voice teacher.

Over the last eight years he has been a voice coach for the Royal Shakespeare Company, including work for their London and Lincoln Center Festival, New York seasons. In addition to the classical repertoire, he has coached many productions of new writing including Little Eagles by Rona Munro, A Life Of Galileo by Mark Ravenhill and Dunsinane by David Greig, all directed by Roxana Silbert.

Theatre credits include: Love for Love, Queen Anne, Titus Andronicus, A Mad World, My Masters, Candide, Wolf Hall/Bring Up The Bodies and The White Devil (Royal Shakespeare Company) and previously for Birmingham Repertory Theatre, he has worked on Tartuffe, A Life Of Galileo and Of Mice And Men.