It is worth noting that
the approach I have developed for my career, and indirectly my career itself is
a strong reflection of my up bringing. From my first years at school I was, or
rather my family was always moving from town to town. In fact by the age of thirteen
I had been to seven schools and on a few occasions I had returned to the same
school on three occasions. The shortest length of time I spent at one school
was six weeks and the longest was one year needless to say my father was an
advisory teacher in the early 70’s which meant - where ever he went... we all went!
Not until the age of
about 14 did my family finally stop in the one location and my schooling was
able to finish with some consistency. My early years in life are ones of
change, versatility and adaptability. In recent years I have come to realise
that these early days of my development as a young child and adolescent have
informed my life now as an adult, that is to say that I have subconsciously
always sort to become adaptable and versatile at tackling my career.
I believe it is
important to understand these two elements of my ‘make-up’, versatility and adaptability; as it has informed my development as well as fuelled
my curiosity towards every aspect of my performance career. This, coupled with
developing the ability to read people and fit in as quickly as possible, as a
child, meant I was more than likely to build on my skills of ‘entertaining’ people
in order to ‘fit in’ and move in to the entertainment field.
I have now been
involved in many aspects of drama for nearly thirty years as a professional
practitioner. Versatility and adaptability have proved to be the root of my
career’s sustainability. I have chosen not to focus on just one area of this
industry and as a result I have not had to rely on a supplemental job to support
my career i.e. being a waiter. My choice to create a dexterous career has
created so many opportunities I feel very lucky to always be in work.
