I understand you are about to start a course at the famous Italia Conti Academy of Dramatic Art in London. How did this come about?
I have always wanted to be a professional actress and when I was 11, I found out that studying drama to degree level was possible in the UK so there and then, I knew that was where I was meant to be. It was simply a matter of waiting to grow up and being eligible to apply!
What was the audition process like?
I applied to nine schools overall and all of the auditions were different. I was auditioning from October right through to March. For Italia Conti I had to attend a warm up in the morning along with 25 other auditionees. We then each had to perform one monologue of the two we had prepared (one being Shakespearean and the other contemporary) in front of a panel of five people. After that, the panel deliberated and made their first cut. On my particular day, we were short listed to eight. We then had voice, singing and movement workshops and were cut to six. The last round was an interview and after that we were told in a week whether we were accepted or not or whether we needed to go for a recall in June. Out of the final six, three got immediate places.
Have your family encouraged or discouraged you in your pursuit of a career in the theatre?
My family are very supportive of my career path and that is very important to me. They have supported me from day one, whether it's helping backstage or simply coming to watch the performance. They never pushed me into doing anything I didn't want to do; my parents are definitely not the stereotypical showbiz parents!
The acting profession is an extremely perilous one. So why put your life and career on the line by entering it?
It is a risk I am willing to take. It's all I've ever wanted and my heart will always be in theatre, whether I end up working as a performer, agent, teacher, director or even a box office clerk. I don't want to spend a life of second guessing. I'm going to try my best and if I don't make it I'll come back and teach.
Tell us a little about your background. Where were you born, grow up, go to school etc... ?
I was born in Malta and have never lived anywhere else so London is going to be a totally different experience for me in so many ways. I attended Chiswick House School and St Martin's College and for my higher education, Verdala International School, where I studied for my International Baccalaureate Diploma. I started dancing at the age of five, acting at eight and singing at 11.
When you leave Italia Conti, which branch of the acting profession do you intend to specialise in... straight acting, or musical theatre, or what?
I'd love to try my hand at everything. As a performer I don't think you can limit yourself in any way as the competition is so tough. I'd love to try my hand at TV or film work but personally nothing beats the adrenaline rush of a performance in front of a live audience whether it be a musical or a straight play.
Quite a few young people from the Maltese islands have recently left to pursue acting careers abroad. Did their exodus in any way influence your decision to follow the same path?
No it didn't. I've wanted to do this since I was 11 and I had to wait seven years just to apply. Many of those who have left are older than me and so they didn't have to wait as long. Nevertheless they inspire me and show me that it is possible to make it in the industry.
Your acting development in Malta was under the tutelage of the Masquerade Theatre Arts School. What sort of a grounding did they give you in acting?
As I started at a young age, the tutors at Masquerade have given me my foundation in acting. It was only when I was older that I realised that I had learnt basic acting techniques through fun. I started teaching dancing and singing there because I see the positive results of the school's work.
Who or what really inspired you to want a career as a professional actress?
Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz holds a special place in my heart, but my parents and all my teachers have particularly taught me about hard work while realising my dreams. I owe so much to Tony and Veronica Bezzina, Gillian Zammit, Alison White and Liz White. Winning best actress at the MADC One-Act-Play Festival 2007 was a boost just before my UK auditions too.
You must have seen a lot of theatre both locally and overseas. Apart from Judy Garland, which actors and actresses have inspired you the most?
I saw Dame Judi Dench in a performance of Hayfever by Noel Coward in London and from then on I knew I wanted to work on the stage in musicals and straight plays.
In the professional theatre auditions can be brutal and sometimes rather depressing. Do you think you've got what it takes to succeed in a very cutthroat business?
I know that I've got the dedication and passion and I also work very hard for what I want. I am not in it this simply to avoid a nine to five job. I'd like to be successful but I don't want to be famous. I think I'm in it for the right reasons.
Where do you see yourself five years down the line?
23 years old, graduated from drama school, with an agent, headlining a West End show and getting ready for my Broadway cross over... or working in Starbucks waiting for my big break. You never really know!
I have always wanted to be a professional actress and when I was 11, I found out that studying drama to degree level was possible in the UK so there and then, I knew that was where I was meant to be. It was simply a matter of waiting to grow up and being eligible to apply!
What was the audition process like?
I applied to nine schools overall and all of the auditions were different. I was auditioning from October right through to March. For Italia Conti I had to attend a warm up in the morning along with 25 other auditionees. We then each had to perform one monologue of the two we had prepared (one being Shakespearean and the other contemporary) in front of a panel of five people. After that, the panel deliberated and made their first cut. On my particular day, we were short listed to eight. We then had voice, singing and movement workshops and were cut to six. The last round was an interview and after that we were told in a week whether we were accepted or not or whether we needed to go for a recall in June. Out of the final six, three got immediate places.
Have your family encouraged or discouraged you in your pursuit of a career in the theatre?
My family are very supportive of my career path and that is very important to me. They have supported me from day one, whether it's helping backstage or simply coming to watch the performance. They never pushed me into doing anything I didn't want to do; my parents are definitely not the stereotypical showbiz parents!
The acting profession is an extremely perilous one. So why put your life and career on the line by entering it?
It is a risk I am willing to take. It's all I've ever wanted and my heart will always be in theatre, whether I end up working as a performer, agent, teacher, director or even a box office clerk. I don't want to spend a life of second guessing. I'm going to try my best and if I don't make it I'll come back and teach.
Tell us a little about your background. Where were you born, grow up, go to school etc... ?
I was born in Malta and have never lived anywhere else so London is going to be a totally different experience for me in so many ways. I attended Chiswick House School and St Martin's College and for my higher education, Verdala International School, where I studied for my International Baccalaureate Diploma. I started dancing at the age of five, acting at eight and singing at 11.
When you leave Italia Conti, which branch of the acting profession do you intend to specialise in... straight acting, or musical theatre, or what?
I'd love to try my hand at everything. As a performer I don't think you can limit yourself in any way as the competition is so tough. I'd love to try my hand at TV or film work but personally nothing beats the adrenaline rush of a performance in front of a live audience whether it be a musical or a straight play.
Quite a few young people from the Maltese islands have recently left to pursue acting careers abroad. Did their exodus in any way influence your decision to follow the same path?
No it didn't. I've wanted to do this since I was 11 and I had to wait seven years just to apply. Many of those who have left are older than me and so they didn't have to wait as long. Nevertheless they inspire me and show me that it is possible to make it in the industry.
Your acting development in Malta was under the tutelage of the Masquerade Theatre Arts School. What sort of a grounding did they give you in acting?
As I started at a young age, the tutors at Masquerade have given me my foundation in acting. It was only when I was older that I realised that I had learnt basic acting techniques through fun. I started teaching dancing and singing there because I see the positive results of the school's work.
Who or what really inspired you to want a career as a professional actress?
Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz holds a special place in my heart, but my parents and all my teachers have particularly taught me about hard work while realising my dreams. I owe so much to Tony and Veronica Bezzina, Gillian Zammit, Alison White and Liz White. Winning best actress at the MADC One-Act-Play Festival 2007 was a boost just before my UK auditions too.
You must have seen a lot of theatre both locally and overseas. Apart from Judy Garland, which actors and actresses have inspired you the most?
I saw Dame Judi Dench in a performance of Hayfever by Noel Coward in London and from then on I knew I wanted to work on the stage in musicals and straight plays.
In the professional theatre auditions can be brutal and sometimes rather depressing. Do you think you've got what it takes to succeed in a very cutthroat business?
I know that I've got the dedication and passion and I also work very hard for what I want. I am not in it this simply to avoid a nine to five job. I'd like to be successful but I don't want to be famous. I think I'm in it for the right reasons.
Where do you see yourself five years down the line?
23 years old, graduated from drama school, with an agent, headlining a West End show and getting ready for my Broadway cross over... or working in Starbucks waiting for my big break. You never really know!