My Aspiration For A Career In The Theatrical Profession
Drama has enthralled me since I was a child; building new worlds and the thrill of performing has continuously fuelled my passion for this subject. As I have grown, so has my admiration for performing and working within the theatre industry. Bertolt Brecht's political works, his ideology of "think not feel" and his methodologies of alienation and Epic Theatre have captivated me since I was a young teenager. I was invigorated by the idea that theatre could spread a social message that can inspire its demographic to make a change within society. This idea has constantly transfixed me, and I would like to be that person who inspires another to make a change in their life or society through my performances.
My fondness for drama has stimulated me to partake in various theatrical projects for pleasure, from performing in film projects to entering playwriting competitions in my penultimate year at secondary school, both of which have increased my love for this subject. As a result of this, I yearn to study drama further as a way to catapult myself into this industry. After being successful with my studies at GCSE, I enjoy the challenge that my A Level studies in Drama and Theatre, English Language and Literature, and Spanish has brought me. Through my Drama and English course, my analytical skills have developed when seeing live theatre, and when being given extracts from the plays and texts that I study. With my Spanish A Level, I have the opportunity to learn about cinema in another country, and how that was affected during the Franco dictatorship, which has helped me with my analysis of the film that I learn within this subject. The analytical skills which I have had to use for my subjects have allowed me to think critically and independently.
For my work experience, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with the Bromley Churchill Theatre for a week, which included working backstage as well as Front of House. From this work experience, I learned more about how a theatre runs behind the scenes, which only made me more fascinated with working in the profession. I also signed up to help Mousetrap Theatre Projects, a charity organisation, for their SummerStage event, which helps disadvantaged young people create a small show within a week and I was the only Sixth Former in my school to do this. Here, I was able to help these children develop their unique ideas to create their show, and by the end of the project, I was overwhelmed to see how confident these children became and how proud they were at what they had developed over that week.
Moreover, I got to work in Mousetrap’s office, and while it wasn't necessary in a theatre, I had the chance to send families and youth groups to various shows, some of whom went to the theatre for the first time. At the end of my placement, I left feeling appreciative of the fact that I had access to the drama industry and I left wanting to do more to help those who don’t have the opportunity to go to the theatre and engage in theatrical activities - which only made me want to pursue a career in drama more. As a Sixth Form Drama Prefect, I have worked closely with the Drama department, for example, I have helped them with open days, as well as the running of Drama Club, which has improved my skills as a mentor and leader towards the younger years. In my spare time, I enjoy fundraising for and supporting charities, for example, I have hosted a bake sale for the LGBT charity Stonewall, as well as advocating for the charity Street Link, which helps homeless people find accommodation. Moreover, I thoroughly enjoy spending my free time partaking in photography, which has been a favourite hobby of mine for several years.
As a student, I am constantly aware that I still have so much to learn and study. I am ready to tackle any challenge that is given to me in my undergraduate drama degree at university, which will, therefore, prepare me for my future career in the theatrical profession.
