Tonicha has been working in Television, Film and Theatre since the age of 3, training in all three disciplines of performance. 

Primarily a dancer, Tonicha spent her early years training and completing all levels in Ballet and Modern (RAD and IDTA) examinations as well as Tap, Character, Lyrical, Disco, Ballroom and Latin American. Competing across the country throughout her childhood, she won numerous awards and trained in the summer at prestigious ballet schools. After a knee injury forced her to retract from her full timetable of dance, Tonicha turned to Acting and Musical Theatre. She won the role of ‘Linda Glover’ at the age of 16 in ITV soap opera ‘Emmerdale’ and spent 3 and a half years developing the character, having to turn down the offer of training at ‘The London Studio Centre’ where she was one of the youngest to have ever been offered a place. Albeit a difficult decision, Tonicha decided to leave the soap and return to Theatre where she toured with ‘Beauty & The Beast’, completed rep theatre with Hull Truck Theatre, whilst working with John Godber on a new play and appeared as mini roles in TV dramas. Tonicha further turned down singing contracts with the biggest producers in music and abroad when her son was born. After the birth of her second child, Tonicha decided to step away from the industry to concentrate on family and opened her drama school TLA (Tonicha Lawrence Academy) in 2008. Her passion to teach and develop new talent led her to becoming a Theatrical and TV agent which she continues to do as well as nurturing the talent of young performers of the future, even writing a blog called 'The Drama Diaries' to guide new parents and actors in the industry. 

Having trained her middle daughter, actress Sydney Wade, who is also a professional actress, she was fortunate to be able to work with her in BBC’s ‘Casualty’ and ‘Holby City’ as the turbulent ‘Steph Simms’. 

Now forming a strong partnership with her friend and colleague Jennifer Whittaker, TLA is set to become, if not be, the best training platform for artists in the North. 

Emmerdale - Yorkshire Television - Linda Glover/Fowler Jun 1994 - Aug 1997 

It's a Vets Life - Presenter - Yorkshire Television Aug 1997- Jan 1998

Cinderella -New Pantomimes Production Ltd - Cinderella- Dec 1997- Jan 1998 

Beauty & The Beast - Steve Shapelle Productions - Belle - Jan 1998 - May 1998 

My Wonderful Life - Granada TV - Guest Artist - May 1998 - May 1998 

Where the Heart Is - Anglia Television - Guest Artist - Jun 1998 - Jun 1998 

Cinderella - New Pantomimes Production Ltd - Cinderella - Nov 1998-Jan 1999

Rep Theatre - Hull Truck Theatre Company - Various - Apr 2000 - Jul 2000 

Snow White - New Pantomimes Production Ltd - Snow White - Nov 2000- Jan 2001 

Hull Truck Theatre - Various - Apr 2001 - Jun 2001 - Director John Godber 

Cinderella - New Pantomimes Production Ltd - Cinderella - Nov 2001- Jan 2002 

Jack & The Beanstalk - New Pantomimes Production Ltd - Fairy Peapod - Nov 2003 - Jan 2004 

Casualty - BC Wales Cardiff - Recurring Artist Steph Simms - Feb 2016 - May 2016

Holby City - BBC TV London - Guest Artist Steph Simms - Jun 2016 - Jun 2016