I’ve always found the theatre an enticing space; the heat of the spotlight, the lump in the back of the throat caused by the possibility of a world created on top of an empty floor. The space in which an actor can become another entity or change the world all in the drum of a heartbeat, is like no other.

When I was thirteen I was cast as my first lead role. I played Seaweed, an American teenager, in my high school’s production of Hairspray. Although the role isn’t something I could perform professionally for ethnicity reasons I enjoyed the opportunity to explore a character that I ordinarily wouldn’t get the opportunity to. It was that week when I heard the roar of the crowd every night that I realised the stage is where I belong.

Growing up in Norwich, I have had the opportunity to indulge myself in a range of theatre and art related activities. My love for theatre sparked in high school where I was able to appear in numerous musicals and plays both backstage and on stage. This was also the first chance I had to showcase my writing and directing talents with two pantomimes that I produced as part of an on going charity project. Both shows were an enormous success and enabled a group of us to travel to Kenya and continue the community’s charity work. This experience of a different culture has helped me to grow with an open mind and to have a positive outlook on life.

During the last few years I have also formed two theatre groups that have showcased local talent and given those who wish to an opportunity to express their individual talents and their ability to come together and create art. One of my companies, Pure Magic Theatre has brought three of my creations to the stage and we have another production in progress for the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014. The second company, Shoestring Productions is a new venture aiming to bring unknown musical theatre to the community. We currently have plans for a concert to showcase our talent and a production of the American musical Ordinary Days.

Art is also a huge part of my personal identity. I studied Fine Art at GCSE and Fine Art, Art Textiles and Graphic Communications at Sixth form. I have always found that my main two areas of interest tie in perfectly and have been able to create work in both disciplines to compliment my other subject and to further improve it. I have found my abilities in Graphic Communications to be particularly useful; as it has enabled me to create effective brands for productions I am involved with, particularly in the case of posters and programmes.

This year I have appeared in a wide range of musical theatre productions - most notably Sweeney Todd at Norwich Theatre Royal, The Wedding Singer at Norwich Playhouse and the Norfolk premier of RENT also at Norwich Playhouse. Performing in a large range of roles and production styles has given me the chance to experience everything the industry has to offer.

A level drama has also given me the chance to perform in plays that I ordinarily wouldn’t have had the opportunity to appear in. This year I have played Sprenger

in Vinegar Tom and Gregor Samsa in Metamorphosis. These roles have been particularly challenging because they both include an incredible amount of physical theatre and require a high level of fitness and flexibility, which is something I have particularly focused on this year.

I want to do my BA in musical theatre because I feel that this is the best way for me to pursue a career and continue my training in the theatre. I have a definite drive and passion for my subjects and am determined to develop a career in the industry which I hope will lead on to directing or teaching in a higher education setting.

Musicals:

Hairspray – SeaweedMichael Jackson: Is This It? – Michael, Director, Producer, Deviser and DesignerWe Will Rock You – GalileoGrease – Kenickie Cinderella – Shanequa, Drusilla, Director, Producer, Author and DesignerWe Will Rock You – Killer Queen, Director, Producer and DesignerPeter Pan – Captain Hooker, Director, Producer, Author and DesignerSweeney Todd – Ensemble and Understudy Vocal CaptainThe Wedding Singer – GeorgeRent – Ensemble, Set Dresser, Graphic Design and Understudy AngelAlice in Wonderland – March HareThe Pied Piper – The Pied PiperTop of the World – Darren, Author, Designer and DirectorA Thousand Tiny Plays – AJ and Co-Director

Plays:

Much Ado About Nothing – Leonato, Co-DirectorMetamorphosis – Gregor Samsa, Director and DesignerVinegar Tom – Sprenger, Co-Designer and Co-Director

Tech:

Jekyll and Hyde – Stage crew, Norwich Theatre RoyalGrease – Stage crew, Norwich Theatre RoyalNational Ballet of Spain – Stage crew, Norwich Theatre RoyalAli Baba – Lighting DesignAlice in Wonderland – Costume DesignGo for Gold – Lighting Design