This weekend I have been busy editing new footage into my acting showreel and I'm really pleased with the final result. Honestly I was mostly just excited to play around with my new editing software which has been great fun! It has also given me chance to reflect on what I'd like including in my showreel when I join Both Feet in Wales in July for their showreel retreat, where we will be filming both improvised and scripted scenes. I feel my acting has come a long way in the past year and I can't wait for my showreel to portray this as well!

Here is an extract of a piece of original spoken word poetry I've written and filmed, based on my experiences as a working class actor. I performed the full piece in April 2022 for the Both Feet 5th birthday celebrations and received lots of helpful feedback on how to develop it from a simple poem into a performance piece. Now, to test the waters, Natalie Gavin filmed and directed this extract and I'm so pleased with how it turned out. Now my mission for 2023 is to develop the whole piece further and create a one woman show. Exciting times ahead!

2022 has been a great year for acting as projects have finally returned following the pandemic. I've had the chance to meet lots of amazing people on different projects, plus reconnect with friends I'd made on previous jobs. Here are some highlights of the year:

Returning to my favourite acting retreat, Both Feet in North Wales, to play with scripts and further my Meisner skills

Performing in Alan Dix's rehearsed reading of A Plague of Innocence as part of Kala Sangam's LGBTQ+ month

Seeing little old me on a poster in Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre for our interactive online SitCom, Gym BS!

Working on a fantastic short film in partnership with UK Coaching about sexism in sports

Joining two new role play companies and working all over the country (London, Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Leeds and Dewsbury to name a few!) on lots of different medical role play projects - plus booking lots more for 2023!

This year I aim to continue my firearms training with Bare Arms, have already booked two more actor stretches with Both Feet, plus want to continue my TV and film career. This week we are starting strong with 3 medical role plays, an exciting spoken word poetry I've finished writing and will be filming, plus acting class with Nat Gavin at Act4TV. 

I have been so lucky this summer to work on a couple of different projects, most noticeably a short film funded by UK Coaching about sexism in sports. I love working with local film companies on social justice projects and I can't wait to see the final edit this autumn. The entire cast and crew were incredible to work with and it will be great to see them again at the screening! For now, here are some behind the scene photos:

In July I visited Imperia Staffieri again down in London to update my acting headshots and I'm so pleased with how they turned out! I hope these showcase my playing range and I'm excited to add these to my business cards in the next month or so. I highly recommend Imperia for acting headshots as she makes the experience fun, efficient and always brings out the best in me!

I've been wanting to update my acting showreel for a few months now since I've worked on some amazing projects in 2022 so far. I've finally received most of the footage and edited together a new showreel. Over the next few months I also aim to update my presenting, rollerskating and firearms showreels. For now though, please enjoy my newly updated acting showreel:

This week I worked on a fantasy short film with Bradford University second year students. My character, Vaber, loves Dungeons & Dragons and uses it to escape the boredom of working and living in a space station with colleague, Taron. Together they play the game ignoring their work responsibilities, but quickly things turn sour when they don't see eye to eye... 

This shoot had it all: extreme weather conditions, crazy costumes, plus our very own space station control room! It was great fun and I can't wait to see how it looks in post production.

This was such a special project to work on. The cast and director, Alan Dix, all brought their own experiences, stories and characteristics to Noel Greig's spoken word piece and it was a pleasure to develop. It always amazes me how quickly a play comes to life in rehearsal and it was such an honour to perform alongside such a talented bunch of actors from across the country, especially in my hometown. Here's a short snippet of my character, Julie:

I am so excited to announce I will be performing a rehearsed reading of Noel Greig's Plague of Innocence at Kala Sangam Arts Centre, Bradford with 509 Arts. Social topics, especially those affecting the LGBTQ+ community, are very close to my heart and I'm so proud to be working on a project that can share the story of AIDS victims and continue advocating for their rights. We will also be ending the later performance with a panel discussion on how Greig's play is still so relevant after over thirty years. 

This show is Pay What You Decide to make it as accessible as possible. Please come support local theatre!

Well that was spontaneous! Less than 24 hours after getting the go ahead, I'd packed a bag and driven back down to my favourite retreat in the Wales countryside, Bodlondeb. I spent the week grounding myself, growing as an actor and living with the best company - some new members to the Both Feet family and old friends it was a joy to connect with again. I had no idea how much I needed this until I arrived and I've come home feeling motivated, inspired and like I've found myself again. Plus, I'm really proud of the work I did there. It was some of the most grounded, connected and effortless I've ever done and it's a credit to how safe Steph makes the studio. I'm always so grateful for her support in my career and life in general. Please check her out, whether it's for an acting course or life coaching - the legend does both! More details are on the Both Feet website or her studio's website Bodlondeb Retreat.