About Me
For years I had performed on stage in a wide range of amateur musicals, portraying characters such as Sweaty Eddie in 'Sister Act' to Audrey Two in 'Little Shop of Horrors'. Then there are the multitude lead roles (too many to mention) that I have performed for the Chesterfield Gilbert and Sullivan Society; this was a time when I first developed my skills for performing, and where my love for the stage was born.
Education
Height: 5"7
Eye Colour: Blue
Hair Colour: Strawberry Blonde
Playing Ages 30-40
Singing: Tenor/Countertenor
Location: Sheffield UK
2021-2022
Sheffield College
Foundational Degree Arts - Musical Theatre
Classification - Distinction
2022-2023
Sheffield Hallam University
BA (Hons) Acting and Performance
Classification - 2:1
My journey began around the age of fifteen; I was old enough to join the Chesterfield 'Gilbert and Sullivan Society'. My first role was a monkey in G&S show (Gilbert & Sullivan) 'Iolanthe' (a non-singing part). I humorously depicted man's evolution from apes in the song 'Darwinian man' and continued to sing in the chorus for many years, picking up small singing parts of Samuel in 'Pirates of Penzance' and Lennard Merrill in 'Yeoman of The Guard'. Having caught the bug, I continued to perform on stage at the 'Pomegranate Theatre' in Chesterfield. My first true lead role came about when I was approached (at the age of around twenty) by Matlock Operatic Society (now Matlock Musical theatre) to play the part of Francis Fryer in 'Calamity Jane'. I went on to perform with many other societies in and around the local area, playing Will Parker in 'Oklahoma’, Lucentio in 'Kiss Me Kate' and finally Freddie Insfirth Hill in 'My Fair Lady'. At the end of the latter show I remember standing on the stage singing with the ensemble 'On the street where you live', and it was in that moment I thought to myself, this is where I live..
I never gave up on my aspirations and in 2020 I moved one step closer by going back to college and studying a Performing Arts foundation degree course. At this time I worked part time in a motor garage as an MOT tester and concede that this was somewhat challenging, nevertheless I successfully balanced my studies in 'Musical Theatre' alongside my work.
July 2019 was the last time I performed on the Pomegranate Stage in Chesterfield before it closed for refurbishment. I took part in 'Titanic' with the Chesterfield Operatics society; playing the parts of both Mr Pitman and the band master Mr Hartley. My love of theatre has always remained a constant throughout my life, in the good times and the bad I have always been able to turn to the stage to express myself.
In the final year of my degree I decided to concentrate on my acting. Seeking to hone my craft in that area, I moved into the heart of the city to study at Sheffield Hallam University. This pushed me once more out of my comfort zone enabling me to evolve and grow as a performer.
My love of singing will never leave me, and I believe my degree has provided me with the sturdy foundation upon which I can now build my career.
I have spent lots of time going to the theatre's, seeing shows in London like 'Les Miserables', 'Miss Saigon' and 'Hamilton' and more recently, 'Waitress' locally at the Lyceum and 'Sky's Edge' at the 'Crucible' in Sheffield, but there's nowhere in the world that I feel like myself then when I'm the one up on stage; like many others within the arts industry we are born to entertain.
Returning to full time education was tricky and with Covid-19 the first year became mainly studying online which was somewhat disappointing. However, having now completed my degree, it will still take a lot of hard work and a fair number of years for me to find my feet; gaining practical experience in the field and connecting with other professionals within the industry will help me move forward with my career.
Where do I see myself, where do I want to go? Life is a journey and the only thing I know is that if an acting opportunity presents itself to me, I will not pass it over and do my utmost get out there on stage or screen.
