AGE: 20
BORN: Hay, regional NSW
CURRENTLY LIVES: Sydney

I first got involved with OTYP when Amy Hardingham came to my high school to approach the drama students. I was involved in numerous projects but the highlight was working with Alana Valentine with the play, Eyes to the Floor.  I was involved with scripting – from the first draft to our performance at Griffith Regional Theatre. It was one of the best acting experiences I’ve ever had.

Before OTYP came to Hay I was incredibly shy so they gave me a chance to get out of my shell. The biggest thing it taught me was to just give things a go. It doesn’t matter what people think of you, just get out there and try it.

I’m currently doing my Diploma in screen acting at Screenwise, which is a screen acting school. It’s the first time that this course has been offered in Australia and I graduate in 6 weeks time. I also work for Ticketmaster. Mostly in box offices for Theatre shows but sometimes I get to do outside events at the Hunter Valley and other music events.

I try and do as much volunteer work as I can for independent theatres such as the New Theatre in Newtown. I get to meet so many people and I’ve gotten acting work from it such as performing at the New Theatre in Extracurricular,which was part of their “Brand Spanking New’ in 2010 and Louise Fischer directed it.

I’ve done a couple of short films since moving to Sydney, mostly student short films but they are a great way to learn, especially how a real set works. I believe you’ve got to support the industry that you want to be in and that’s what I’m trying to do. And acting is a bit like an addiction so if I can surround myself with the industry as much as I can, I’m happy.

OTYP showed me how much I wanted to be and actor and how it was possible. Coming from a small country town, there aren’t too many opportunities so wanting to be an actor always seemed like a far-fetched dream but with Outback Theatre for Young People coming to Hay it gave me the drive to pursue acting.