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. 

Some very exciting news to end the year - I am now signed with Ward Management in Manchester. Melissa and Kirsty have been so supportive already and I can't wait for the successes 2022 will bring now I'm working alongside them. 

This collaboration is really important to me after spending several years searching for new representation (during a pandemic no less!) because I only wanted to sign with an agency whose goals and ethos matched mine. From the start, Melissa and Kirsty have shown they prioritise communication and a modern approach to encourage positive change in the industry and I'm so grateful they've seen potential in me. It's definitely an early Christmas present for me!

The phrase "you wait ages for a bus and then three turn up at once" has never been more relevant to my life than this week! Yesterday I had two auditions (one in Halifax and the other in Manchester) and I left both feeling happy with my work and excited for the outcome. Then I received footage from previous projects so I've finally updated my acting showreel and it's available to view below:

Whilst I wait for my audition outcomes I have more projects to apply for, firearms training to practice at home, plus weekly acting classes with Act Up North plus an Actor's Stretch with Both Feet keeping me busy!

Wowza! Another amazing week with Steph at Both Feet's Retreat, Bodlondeb Studio, in Wales. This time I was there to continue my Meisner training after the pandemic delayed my previous courses in Leeds. They say everything happens for a reason and on this occasion that's definitely true, as I'm so glad I couldn't do the Core Course in Leeds and had the opportunity to work here again! The group were incredible and we experience some amazing activities together, including: white water rafting, foraging, cooking on open campfire, star-gazing, wild swimming - and so much more! 

I won't list everything I've learnt with Steph as that would take ages and also ruin the beauty of working with her, but my biggest takeaways of the retreat are:
- Learning to listen to what my body needs. Not just in acting, but life too. 
- How the breath really does impact everything in our body! The Autonomic Nervous System is pretty clever!
- How to fully commit my body and therefore my mind to whatever I'm doing. Again, just great life advice, but absolutely beneficial to acting!

I am already jealous of the next group going this weekend and am stalking Both Feet's website for future retreats or Leeds-based courses so I can work on what I've already learnt! 

What a week! I spent 8 days in Both Feet's Welsh retreat on their scene study course and it was above and beyond any training I've had. They combine Meisner acting training with outdoor activities, including camping, wild swimming, archery, axe throwing, hiking and canyoning. We studied Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons by Sam Steiner and performed extracts at an outdoor amphitheatre at the end of the week to put all our new skills to practice. The group were amazing, I've made life long friends and loved it so much, I'm actually booked in for their full Meisner course at the end of September! Here are just some of the photos of our adventure! 

After my presenting course with Aspire Presenting in February, I've been working hard creating my own content as well as self taping for upcoming projects. I decided to put this footage to good use and update my presenting showreel and hope to keep filming new clips to keep it fresh and up to date!