I knew I wanted to be an actor at 15, while performing in ‘Wonderland’ which explored the migrant crisis. At the climax I was standing centre stage about to plummet to my death and in that moment, looking out at the audience I understood the power of acting, that I had the potential to influence the emotions of every single audience member. The scene involved my drowning in the Channel and was cleverly choreographed using a simple blue tarpaulin sheet with a slit in the middle; combined with lighting and sound, the effect was chilling.

I started at Pendleton School of Acting in 2019, a stepping stone to the performance industry. I’ve explored Brechtian theatre, Antonin Artaud, Tai Chi, Jacques Lecoq, Living Newspapers, lighting, Sanford Meisner, improvisation, acting for the camera, directing and voice work. I really enjoyed performing Willy Russell’s ‘Stags and Hens’ in the style of Stanislavski. In high school I took part in the RSC’s national event ‘Shakespearience’, I played Titania in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, which we performed at Preston Guild Theatre. For drama GCSE we performed Willy Russell’s ‘Blood Brothers’, Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ and Jim Cartwright’s ‘Two’. I played Nala in ‘The Lion King’ capturing the essence of a playful lion cub through facial expressions and shoulder movements. I struggled with dyslexia and my undiagnosed autism at school but thrived in more creative subjects, with a greater freedom of expression. My inner confidence has grown substantially but is still a work in progress. Like all good method actors I’ll utilise my life experiences to develop roles. I'm now in 3rd year at uni, completing a BA (Hons) in Acting and performance at the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham. At UCA i had the opportunity to explore writing, directing, screen acting, theatre and working behind the camera.

I was a member of CottonShed, an inclusive theatre which inspires me to run a theatre company one day. I also volunteered as a drama assistant with 4-12 year olds, gaining experience working with children with special needs; directing and backstage work. We wrote, edited, filmed and directed a short film. Our piece ‘Time’s up’ captured the last hours of our protagonist’s life in a futuristic world where ‘life timers’ were worn on wrists. I joined BYTES and ReAct Academy 2016-2019, acting in Shakespeare plays, pantomimes, musicals and showcases.

During lockdown my friends and I formed ‘The Social Sofa Theatre Co’, devising a play about agoraphobia. We wrote, cast and performed the piece together remotely. I also took advantage of live screenings, I particularly enjoyed the NT’s ‘One man, Two Guvnors’ and ‘Staged’, which inspired my idea for a scene in the Pendleton Christmas Revue. Our pre-recorded piece projected on a cyclorama, involved 4 actors multi-rolling with costume and props in a satirical comedy based on a dysfunctional family, who come together for Christmas via Zoom.

My favourite film director is Wes Anderson, I admire his idiosyncratic visual style, Art Nouveau colour palette and distinctive use of symmetry. I’m drawn to physical theatre such as Antonin Artaud’s ‘Theatre of Cruelty’. My favourite play ‘People, Places and Things’ follows the story of Emma (Denis Gough), a drug addled actress confined to rehab. The lines were creatively salvaged from Anton Chekov’s play ‘The Seagull’. Gough channelled her inner emotions to create a beautiful interpretation of the role. I’m fascinated by the lengths method actors go to, to get into role e.g. Adrien Brody, who sold all his belongings and fasted to identify with his character’s discomfort in ‘The Pianist’. I also respect Andrew Scott's portrayal of Sherlock’s nemesis Moriarty, whose role was rewritten for him. A film that has impacted me was ‘The Silent Child’ and the isolation felt by Libby (Maisie Sly) a deaf girl. There were parallels with a girl I support at CottonShed, their shared plight living in a largely ‘hearing world’ troubled me and prompted me to study BSL and hopefully study an SEN course after drama school. I look forward to demonstrating innovation, resilience and my dedication to overcoming the barriers I know I will encounter. I’m passionate about a long career in acting and cannot wait to explore the magical craft in its full glory.