Freelance Theatre Maker and Facilitator
Class of 2019
Drama, Education and Community
If you studied your undergraduate programme at York St John University or founder colleges, did you go on to postgraduate study?
No.
Why have you chosen this photo as your YSJ snapshot?
I’ve selected a few shots of places I’ve been and worked at over the last few months, showing how many different hats and roles I’ve taken on and how the skills I’ve learnt at university has provided me with so many wonderful opportunities now.
What are your fondest memories of York St John University?
The sense of community – due to work I didn’t have time for societies but even just in my year group it was wonderful to feel like we had a little family.
Why did you choose York St John University or founder colleges?
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go to a drama school or university, and on a whim my friend was coming up to see York St John as she had family up in York (we’re from Wales originally). However when I came with her to the open day, I completely fell in love with the course, the campus, the city- everything!!
What have you been doing since completing your studies?
So I was trying to make my way freelancing after uni, however COVID struck the following March- I went into care, as a well being person and running activities in dementia based care homes. I wouldn’t have even thought there was such a thing before uni. I also didn’t realise until I studied at York St John that my passion for drama and theatre was really ignited when it involved the community- I started uni on the drama and theatre course, and only when I realised did I transfer over to Drama, Education and community. Now I am back freelancing; working in youth theatre, for theatre companies running activities in Care homes and acting/performing/stage managing in community shows.
What one piece of advice would you give to a current student, or one about to graduate?
As David Richmond told me- Say yes to everything! (within reason).
Spend the next six months to a year just trying everything, in a work sense, seeing what it is you want to do and where your skills are most settled in- try to ignore the pressure of having things sorted, and find what it is you have the most passion for.
That being said, I’d also say to not worry if the job you end up in isn’t directly related to your course. York St john are brilliant at honing your skills, and giving you a wide range of experience and skills that are transferable to what you want in life!