Tell us about what you have been up to since July 2022?
I can honestly say it has been one of the best years of my life. Last August I performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as part of GOYA Theatre Company with a few friends from the course. We only had one day between graduation and rehearsals starting, so it was a very quick turnaround. I’m from the US, so I’d never been to the Fringe before – it was a completely new experience for me. I’ve never seen so much theatre and comedy in such a condensed period.
I found out I booked Cabaret during rehearsals for the Fringe in July, and as soon as I got back from Edinburgh in August I went straight into rehearsals. I’ve been there ever since.
What has been your biggest lesson since graduating?
A lesson I’m still learning is maintaining balance. We do eight shows a week and have Sundays off. The past year has been about adjusting to that schedule, working in the evenings and getting used to a new routine. I need to ensure I find a balance with life outside of the show as well, making sure that I am seeing people and keeping in touch with friends and family.
Another lesson I’ve learnt is to make sure I keep up a culture of practicing every day. Even though I sing every night in the show, I recently revisited some of my old audition repertoire and realised I wasn’t singing it as well because I hadn’t been practicing in the same way I did while training. So now I try to focus on more consistently doing practice and warm up exercises I know work for me.
What made you choose to study abroad?
I had visited London for a few days just before the pandemic hit and instantly fell in love with it; I’d grown up in New York and was itching for something new. I already had an undergraduate degree in psychology, so I was looking specifically into musical theatre graduate programmes. I literally googled ‘best graduate musical theatre programmes’ and there seemed to be more fitting opportunities in the UK than in the States, so I went from there doing research into all of them.
Plus, the industry in London is different from New York’s. It’s a bit smaller and more personal, people in the audition room know your name and you get more time, which I appreciate.
What was your highlight of your training at the Academy?
Having come from a non-theatre background, it was an amazing experience to be in an environment where we were surrounded by artists, not just in the musical theatre company but the broader school. I mean, we had the most incredible musicians in the world playing the shows!
I couldn’t have dreamt of more exposure in terms of the network built and guests brought in by the Academy. We had mock auditions with casting directors, masterclasses with incredible performers, and our teachers were creatives across all different parts of the industry.
Another highlight was getting to do a full musical at the end of the year, which was as close to a professional work environment as you can get. When I started working on Cabaret, I realised how well the Academy show had prepared me for it. Learning both an Ensemble and Lead track helped introduce me to being a Swing, and being one of the Dance Captains on the summer show provided experience for doing it on Cabaret. So, all of those sorts of experiences I had while training have been really useful in preparing me.
What is next for you?
My current contract finishes at the end of September, and hopefully I’ll stay on with the show but in a new capacity. I’ve performed a lot as a Swing, but to do the full eight shows a week, every week, would be a different experience, especially in terms of physical stamina. Because of that, my goal is to keep myself healthy, grounded and focused while I’m doing the show as it can be physically demanding! I also want to continue to build my life outside of the show, maybe starting a side hustle ready for when I eventually do leave. Finally, my visa will expire at some point but I’d love to continue living and working in the UK so I need to plan for how I can do that!
What advice would you give to the class of 2023?
Give yourself grace. Whether you’re in a job or not, this industry is full of highs and lows. Sometimes you’re in a job and it’s amazing, but it’s hard work and a big life change, and you might have moments where you wake up tired or it just feels like work that day. Give yourself the grace and space to have different emotions. Try and appreciate the highs and the lows of this crazy business! I think everybody coming out of the Academy is incredibly talented, so keep the faith.
Lastly, enjoy your last weeks. The Academy is an incredible place to be, so take a step back and enjoy the moment.
Photo credit Michael Shelford