"Make the most of opportunities even if they don’t seem relevant to your end goal"

Hometown
Born Hertfordshire, live Northamptonshire

What do you do?
Partner in street and physical theatre company Electric Cabaret, self-employed actress, director and theatre practitioner

What was your very first role in theatre?
Tigerlily in Peter Pan at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage in 1976!

What else have you done in theatre?
I’ve acted various theatre-in-education roles (TIE) for Theatre Centre, London, Sherman Theatre, Cardiff and Nottingham Playhouse.

After turning to directing in 2002, I was short listed by the BBC as a new director and attended director training at BBC Training and Development Centre and shadowed at BBC Elstree.

In summer 2005 I completed advanced inclusive theatre training with Chicken Shed Theatre Company.

I’m currently artistic director of Chicken Shed MK (Milton Keynes) and Northampton, partner in Electric Cabaret, associate artist at the Royal and Derngate and arts development officer for South Northamptonshire Council.

I also work for Creative Partnerships in Northamptonshire and as a mentor for Northants Artists in Learning Mentoring Scheme.

Have you got qualifications?
A degree in drama and theatre studies from Kent University and a postgraduate acting diploma from Drama Studio London

What did you want to be when you grew up?
An actress and director

What do you do all day?
Travelling to London or anywhere in the UK for a gig. Performing. Office duties eg invoicing, marketing, planning, accounting. Delivering workshops in schools. Attending rehearsals. When in production, spending all day in the theatre. There is no typical day really.

What’s the best thing about your job?
It is diverse, creative, interesting, challenging, literary, and intellectual. I can make a difference in people’s lives. I can make art.

And the worst?
No job security, no holiday pay, no pension

What’s your dream job in theatre?
Directing and acting, associate artist

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Just say YES! Make the most of opportunities even if they don’t seem relevant to your end goal. Be prepared to be flexible. Learn from your work. Make a business plan. Conduct research into your chosen areas and look for training opportunities and work experience.