Name: Jade
Job title: Student
What exactly is that?
I’m a student at university
How did you get there?
I was just preparing myself to leave secondary school to move on to sixth form or college. Like most people that age I didn’t really have a clue what career path I wanted to take.
The deadline was getting closer and closer and I decided that I was going to go to college and study health and social to become a paediatric nurse.
Deep down I knew I didn’t want to do that but I felt so pressured that I had to choose the career that I wanted for the rest of my life at the age of 16.
So for a year I attended the course and it was the worst year of my life. I didn’t have any friends because I didn’t have anything in common with the people on my course, for a year I was that kid that sat on their own at lunch time.
Ever since I was child I wanted to perform I just wanted to be on stage but I was too shy to pursue it.
After the year from hell I said to myself “I’m 16 I have my whole life ahead of me I’m going to have many career changes” so that September I decided to sign up to audition for the Miskin Theatre company. Fortunately I got through the audition and spent the next two years of my life there and loved every minute. The best years of my life so far.
I am forever grateful to Miskin because they gave me the confidence to pursue my dream and I am now currently a first year drama student studying in Manchester in the process of writing a show to take to the Edinburgh Fringe festival.
My advice is just simply do what makes YOU happy.
Describe a typical day for you
A typical day for me usually starts with a short yoga session to wake me up, I learnt that this makes you more alert in the mornings (Thank you Ali)
I then get myself showered and dressed in the appropriate clothing for today’s classes and then I take the 15 minute walk to uni!
A normal day on my drama course would be a class physical and vocal warm-up either lead by our directors or another member of our company. The we go to our first lesson which is usually acting methods. Then we have a short break and move to our movement classes.
Our final class of the day would be our voice sessions then it would be time to go home.
A usual day would start from around 10am and finish around 6pm then I would go home and start the essay that I probably would have left to the last minute because that’s the kind of person I am.
I work better under pressure… once work is complete I will cook myself dinner and shower again depending on how physical the day was.
Then hopefully I will climb into bed watching Gilmore girls and drift off into the land of nod.
What’s the best thing about what you do?
When you go see a piece of theatre, If it is done well it will make you feel many different emotions and I love being able to take the audience on that journey with me.
To make them feel what I am feeling and to see the appreciation in their faces and to see that they had a good time knowing that I did my job right.
What’s the one thing you would change if you could?
I wouldn’t change anything about my career choice but I would lower the cost of university tuition fees. Every penny I have spent so far has been totally worth it but my bank account does weep from time to time.
What did you want to do for a living when you were at school?
Well at first I wanted to run away with the circus but then I realised I have a severe phobia of clowns. I think then I wanted to be a vet and that turned into a paediatric nurse but I don’t like blood or needles so I was a bit of a lost cause.
Tell us about one thing you were insecure about when you were at school
I was very shy up until the age of about 13 but even then I would never put myself forward for anything.
I really came out of my shell when I started attending Miskin theatre my confidence went through the roof.
As a performer you are put in front of people every day and you soon realise you need to learn to not care what other people think and just go for it.
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Miskin.
What advice would you give yourself at 18 if you could?
Well I’m only 19 so I am still finding my feet and trying to adult but if I were to give any advice it would be if you have a dream go for it, if you work for it it’ll happen. You just need to work hard.
What’s your favourite thing to do in your spare time?
Well I LOVE going to the theatre but I’m also quite a book worm and a movie buff. Oh and I love a good concert!
What’s the title of the last book you read?
The life-changing art of not giving a fuck by Sarah Knight!
Please share with us one beauty tip
Get as much sleep as possible, trust me it does wonders.
And one money tip?
Learn how to budget and if you go to buy something always think ‘do I really need this’
And finally please share one life lesson you have learned
If you want it enough you’ll make it happen.
Tell us about your favourite recent purchase for £25 or under
Okay so I bought a new winter coat which I LOVE and considering I’m studying up north and I’m a Londoner it really comes in handy #Hypothermia
How can people get in ouch for more info?
Jade_Dolling or Facebook me Jade Dolling
