
In depth biography
Over the years I have worked professionally as an actor, theatre director / co-director, a choreographer and a playwright. I have been fortunate enough to work in the film industry, for television, radio and in the theatre. Although I have become accustomed to wearing different hats, the aim has remained the same, that of providing powerful storytelling.
After studying a Certificate in Filmmaking at The London Film Academy, I have recently completed my dream studying a MA in Directing at the MetFIlm School in Leeds, the city where I grew up. My aim is to be a film, television and commercials director.
I previously studied at both Middlesex University and the State University of New York at Brockport gaining a BA (Hons) in Performance Art. At Brockport, I trained in choreography with Tony award winning choreographer, Garth Fagan.
I studied 'Le Jeu' with renowned movement director, Monika Pagneux at her studio in Paris. Monika famously worked alongside theatre director, Peter Brook.
As an actor, highlights include co-starring in Roman Polanski's Palme D’or and Oscar winning film The Pianist (Polanski, 2002). I also had the privilege of working with Tom Harper on War and Peace (BBC, 2015), Ricky Gervais on Extras (BBC, 2006) and Mike Leigh on the Oscar winning Topsy-Turvy (Leigh,1999). I also gained a choreography credit on the latter. Working with these iconic directors and following their individual approach into unlocking character and subtext has been invaluable in informing my work process.
As a commercials actor, I have starred in over 30 commercials for brands including Coca-Cola, Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall, Lurkpak, Aero, Fuji Film and Mastercard. The commercial world has taught me the importance of getting to the essence of a story.
As a theatre actor, I worked with Terra Mobile, an experimental Russian Theatre Company based in St Petersburg under the directorship of Vadim Miheenko.
My directing career started on the London fringe circuit. Highlights include the Arts Council Lottery funded play, Double which I wrote and directed for a run at the Finborough Theatre. As a co- director, productions include The Hunchback of Notre Dame for the Edinburgh Festival. Utilising my skills as director/choreographer has led to work with Pop-Up Children’s Theatre and performance art pieces in Istanbul, Rome and Dunkirk, France.
For television, I worked on Ladies of Letters (Tiger Aspect, 2006) as an assistant to the actors Anne Reid and Maureen Lipman and alongside director, John Henderson. This was a full time position on a 6 week shoot. As the show consists of monologues, my responsibility was to assist the actors in learning their lines and prompting on set when required.
“The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.” (Goethe)
My love of the moving image and the professional work I have done so far, has blended in beautifully with my studies at the MetFilm School. I have recently completed my MA having directed 5 short films, 4 of which I have written. I can sense that I am finally moving in the right direction.