“I had never broken a bone till the day I boasted about never breaking a bone. The following day I broke my finger during a football match.”
What kind of actor do you aspire to be?
An honest one. The kinda actor that comes to the script blank and just allows the work to make the impression. Acting is an opportunity to walk in another person’s shoes and I’d love to try as many on as possible!
What performance piece did you choose for the showcase and why?
I chose a monologue from Before Sunrise by the character of Jesse. I loved the monologue once I read it but then I was sold after I read the script. What attracted me to it was his free spirited nature. He seemed like a guy really taking his time to find out his why? And I loved that!
What book, theatre, film or TV production has most inspired you?
I always struggle with these questions! Ha! Anything where I have to pick a favourite makes my head spin! Errr, I love a true story or anything based on a true story. I love when things don’t shy away from the truth regardless of how hard it may be to accept. I love work that really makes you come to terms with what it’s like to be a real person, with flaws and insecurities, strengths and weaknesses, you know? The good and the bad as well as the highs and lows of life. One movie that’s been that for me recently is A Star is Born. I think it’s relatable to people in different ways. As an artist I relate to it in terms of aspiring to actualise my dreams of being a working actor. In Ally’s case it’s to be a successful musician. In both instances you’re faced with a colossal wall and it’s almost like each brick represents a barrier you gotta overcome.
How have you been keeping creative during lockdown?
Lockdown was actually quite a liberating experience for me, creatively. I took up painting, and now my bedroom wall is just covered with different paintings I’ve done. It was always something I’d wanted to be able to do but never thought I could learn or never really put time towards learning, so when lockdown came around and I had all this free time and thoughts and emotions buzzing around it kinda just happened naturally? Some of my favourite artists are Francis Bacon and Basquiat, both because of their style of work and their personalities. I also got really into Cubism and although my stuff isn’t nearly on par with the names mentioned, far from it in fact, their aesthetics influenced how I taught myself to paint.
What advice would you give for anyone else preparing for a showcase?
Let it be business as usual. Just forget it’s for a showcase and approach the character as someone you’re just trying to get to know.
What do you hope to be doing this time next year?
Acting? Haha! No I’d love to be working, maybe on a series, or a feature. I also want to travel so maybe work that takes me elsewhere?