Training as an actor.

Training or studying  for a profession should be a time of research, understanding and evolving to become.

This is my hope for my actor's training at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. An institution I won a bursary to attend in January 2017.

I am highly excited about the journey I will embark on and also anxious due to my past experience.
I attended a small drama school in 2007 and due to unforeseen

circumstances I was expelled from the school.
One of the worst days I have ever experienced in my life.
I remember my reluctance to study at the drama school, I had a lot of excuses for why I didn't want to do it. From not being able to afford it financially to my objection that I was not an actor.

Singing was something I have always done without thought. I am a born singer. I sang from a very young age and knew I would sing on world stages. There was never a doubt about that.
I approached the drama school initially due to an interest in their music school. However, the music school did not materialise and I was encouraged to join their drama school.
Hence, my reluctance and hesitation.

Fast forward to six months at the school, enjoying my time with my peers within our group and the classes taught by professionals in the industry, also gaining confidence that I have it within me to be a good actress.
During this period, I was approached by the head of the school to audition for a part in his play, getting this confirmation from him to audition for his play boosted my growing confidence and I was adamant to do the role justice.

Unfortunately, I trusted the wrong source to confide in, I chose to share the news with my peers. Unbeknownst to me this caused jealousy, as it transpired in comments from people within the group that the play was not written by the head of the school but the students of the school.

I like to be transparent, I feel it shows my intentions. I had no intentions of climbing over anyone to get to where I wanted to be but to work hard diligently and get there on the strength of what I have contributed.
So, I talked to a few more people from the drama school and they confirmed that the play was written by the students as a collaborative effort.

As fate would have it, my investigations somehow reached the head of the school and I was approached right outside the drama school by him.
He was evidently upset about my 'investigations' and gave me no opportunity to defend myself or explain how it came about.

The conversation was very berating of me and left me shell shocked. We departed to continue the conversation the next day over the phone. He wanted names of who told me he didn't write the play and I was not forthcoming. He then proceeded to annihilate my character, refusing to hear a word of what I had to say and eventually concluded with my expulsion from his school.

I went on to gain an agent that year when I was spotted as an ensemble member in a play which ran for 6 weeks.
That agent was instrumental in getting me work in three great commercials and though we eventually parted ways, by this time I was certain that I wanted to act and that I can act.

My journey in the profession since then has been a series of hits and misses, however I have always been adamant that I wanted to train and get an accredited qualification that solidified my commitment and passion.

Three years ago, I got on to the 2 years acting diploma course at City Lit, and I met the lovely Vivian Rochester who auditioned me.

She is a stern, formidable and effervescent character whom I cannot praise enough. She accepted me on to the course and I was given a bursary for some of the fees. Unfortunately, due to having a low income, I needed assistance of a loan to do the course, which was refused by the bank due to my low credit score. This stopped me from doing the course and I managed to use the time to focus on my singing career.

I was introduced to Clean Break by a very dear friend of mine. She told me what the institute was and I was highly reluctant to attend a place that helps women who may be at risk of offending or have been through the justice system.
I didn't want to be stigmatized or judged as a criminal.

Clean Break has turned out to be a lifeline for me at a time when I've often felt alone or confused or just unsure of myself.
I've been there for over a year, in my time at Clean Break, I've studied performing arts level 1 and 2 and introduction in writing for theatre.
During the summer ten of us worked in conjunction with Royal Central School of Speech and Drama to devise a play in a week and it was shown to a full house.

I returned to Clean Break in September to study Discovering Higher Education which is the next progressive level from level 2 Performing arts. This is how I won my bursary.
7 of us took the course over eight week period and one bursary was awarded to study acting Diploma at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. This will then lead on to a 3 years degree in September next year at University.

Finally, I am at a point where it seems as though I am going back to the beginning. I know I am not, I am at a different stage entirely as I have a wealth of experience gained in the industry as well as outside of it which I believe has fully equipped me ready to focus fully on what my mission is and the end goal.