Growing up in Devon

Drama at school

I had a great desire to be involved in the arts but my confidence was gradually eroding by societal expectations and peer judgement. I had tried many different theatre groups, studied Drama A level and was represented by a local agency but I still felt restricted. I had never found a setting where my creative abilities were fully challenged or nurtured. I became comfortable in stereotypically feminine roles that weren’t challenging and authentic to myself. It was clear that I had mistaken being comfortable for being capable. This insecurity and lack of variation was stunting my growth as a performer so I couldn’t establish what type of an actor I wanted to become.

Midsummer Night's Dream

Straight away I was immersed into a community that thrived off of an infectious atmosphere of fun and creativity, rehearsing and performing in a beautiful environment that gave us a natural scenery that transcended our storytelling. This contrasted with my previous perspective that theatre was restricted to black box and proscenium where the realms of an audience and an actor were not shared. Moreover, the sense of collectivity defied the amateur theatre stereotypes of toxic competitiveness and judgement that I had become so used to. For the first time I felt accepted and valued as a performer.

But, it wasn’t easy. I was immediately challenged in my first role as Lysander in a Midsummer Nights Dream, playing a non binary character. As a female identifying actor I felt intimidated by stepping outside of the characters I previously felt comfortable inhabiting. However, I was eager to see where I could evolve as an actor and what this could teach me. Through trial and error, experimentation and hours dedicated to forming Lysander’s physicality and androgynous identity, I gradually moved beyond the preconceptions of what roles I thought I was suited to. By the final performances I had created a Lysander who was a bold and fierce individual who I was empowered to play. I left the experience realising that discomfort in acting was not to be avoided but, instead embraced in order to become a more versatile performer.

Working with Wild Will

I could not have done this without Rob Heyland, our creative director, who placed trust in my potential as an actor giving me an opportunity I would never turn back from.

This led me to be involved in four seasons of plays with Wild Will: Playing Lady Olivia in Twelfth Night, Pea in Jerusalem - who I was fortunate enough to reprise the role of twice - and this year I am delighted to undertake the role of Abigail Williams in The Crucible. Each year my confidence has increased and my understanding of acting to become more well rounded. Through Rob’s careful direction and persistence to push performers, I have learnt that it is unrealistic to view yourself as an already ‘polished’ actor and to keep being dedicated to your craft because you never know what you might discover. For myself as an actor I now see curiosity and challenge as a privilege to keep learning.

Getting into drama school

This became important when I approached drama school auditions. I felt comfortable in my own shoes and I knew I had nothing to lose. I endeavoured to give each audition my best shot, and see it as an invaluable experience to showcase what I could offer, whilst continuing to work and learn. After long audition and interview processes, rejections, A Level exams and a changing personal life I was delighted to receive three offers. After deep consideration I was delighted to accept my place at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama where I will begin three years of training in September.

Now at 19 I reflect on the 17 year old who questioned whether her passions could ever be a realistic future. I no longer believe that the scale of what I can achieve is defined by my roots in a small town in Devon. If anything it made me utilise every opportunity to my advantage, in a place where I once struggled to find them. Wild Will gave me a space to play as an actor, challenge myself, fail and succeed and a second family. I am proud that we are making a change and opening our arms to young people who feel their creativity has no place in this world. I hope they find Wild Will like I did where you are not expected to be a finished artist but welcomed into a community that will foster your growth and change your perspectives like it has to mine.