"Education is important, but putting the theory into practice is invaluable and looks great on a CV"

Hometown
Born in Stepney, East London, now living in Ilford, Essex. My mum is from Ghana and my dad is from Jamaica.

What do you do?
Projects manager, creative learning department, The Lyric Hammersmith

How long have you been at it?
Two months in this role

What was your very first role in theatre?
I played Alice in Vinegar Tom by Caryl Churchill at the Union Theatre. My first non-acting job was project assistant at the Young Vic Theatre.

What else have you done in theatre?
I started at the Lyric as a part-time training assistant, got promoted to creative learning assistant and eventually to projects manager.
Before that, I worked at the Young Vic Theatre for four years in the teaching, participation and research department. This evolved from a two-week work placement.

I’ve also worked as a freelance support tutor for the Half Moon Young People’s Theatre Company and taken on a variety of paid and unpaid projects working with hard-to-reach young people, running workshops and doing outreach work.

Have you got qualifications?
NCFE certification of professional musicianship, BTEC higher national diploma in performing arts and national diploma in performing arts

What did you do before you worked in theatre?
I worked as a hairdresser’s assistant, a telesales assistant selling double glazing, in Barratts shoe shop and TK Maxx to fund myself through study

How did you make the move to working in theatre?
When I left school I visited the performing arts department at a college open day and immediately it felt like a place I’d fit in – energetic, expressive, electric. After completing a BTEC my tutor advised me to apply for an HND in performing arts.

While on the HND I did an Easter work placement at the Young Vic Theatre. Once again I felt a connection and ease and not just because I got to meet Jude Law!

I loved the people and the environment. Things were constantly happening and changing. I sat in on some drama workshops for children and saw the positive effects it had on their confidence and self-esteem. This was the moment I knew that my career would be working with young people in theatre.

Experiences with other arts organisation and a brief period as a detached youth worker further stimulated my enthusiasm and commitment to theatre and young people.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
There were many, but my top three were geologist, barrister and performer

What do you do all day?
Organising workshops for young people. I greet the young people in the mornings, check up on their progress throughout the day, liaise with their peer mentors and take referrals from local agencies.

What’s the best thing about your job?
The young people I work with and for. Their honesty is refreshing, their energy encouraging and their talents amazing. They are all individual and unique, they keep me inspired. Being able to work with them keeps me smiling inside even when the paperwork is piling up. No two days are ever the same; there is a great dynamic in the building because we have so many different shows and companies. Plus I get free tickets.

And the worst?
There’s a big Primark around the corner that doesn’t close till 8pm and keeps getting all my money. Or having to cram myself onto the tube 10 times a week.

What’s your dream job in theatre?
What I’m doing now, but four days a week instead of five and in a warmer climate

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
* You can never know too much about the industry and young people so read lots, familiarise yourself with government policy and keep up to date with arts education initiatives
* See as much theatre as possible
* Education is important, but putting the theory into practice is invaluable and looks great on a CV. Do as much as you can paid but don’t be afraid to volunteer and commit to it 100 percent. This industry is small and nothing beats a personal recommendation
* The industry is not known for its big pay packets, so do it because you love it