MEET OUR ENSEMBLE
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From: Cassop
Former member of Gala Theatre Stage School and Live Youth Theatre with a BA in Film and TV Production, inspired to get into the arts by his parents for their work in dance with their own professional company that has toured across the UK and Europe.
“Ensemble ‘84 will enable me to develop as a performer as well as helping to further my abilities to work as part of a theatrical company. I wanted to join Ensemble ‘84 to be able to create and celebrate theatre with like minded people. I hope that this opportunity will increase interest in the arts across County Durham as well as help East Durham become a more prolific place for the arts.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: Hamilton
Favourite actor/Role model: Michael Jibson
Dream character/role to perform: Judas in Godspell
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From: Peterlee, now lives in Horden
Former professional dancer with experience acting in a variety of theatres across the North East, mostly in pantomimes. Alongside his career in the arts, Brodie is a qualified personal trainer.
“I started as a dancer at East Durham college before moving into acting, and have been lucky enough to perform across the country. I kinda fell into acting later in my career, but I used to watch an old film called “BREAKIN” which my nana showed me from 1984. She had an old vinyl of the soundtrack which I used to play and dance to.
I’m very passionate about where I am from and if theatre can be built and thrive in this community then I am a happy person. I’ve always wanted to perform, so to be able to do this on my doorstep is amazing. I believe the team at Ensemble ‘84 can build and develop my skills a lot.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: Woman in Black
Favourite actor/Role model: Jim Carey
Dream character/role to perform: Wolverine, and Galileo from We Will Rock You
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From: Blackhall Rocks
“When I was much younger, from 10-14 years old, I attended Sheila Bruce’s Drama School and was assessed by the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. I studied Drama and Expressive Arts at GCSE level, and joined theatre productions at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre and Maritime Festival.
I heard about Ensemble ‘84 from the Jobcentre and it sounded too good to be true! I want to give it my all, completely support my group and make the best production ever for East Durham, the people of County Durham and beyond.
It’s an amazing opportunity and everyone that is involved is so invested, it’s just fantastic. Ensemble ‘84 is the way forward to bring this overlooked community to life. I hope it puts East Durham on the map.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: HamiltonFavourite actor/Role model: Michael Jibson
Dream character/role to perform: Judas from Godspell
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From: Horden
Janet took an early retirement after being year manager for Key Stage 4 at a local school in Wingate, Durham, and was inspired to take part in her first musical by her students.
“As a Horden-er, I sometimes attend the local residents' meetings and was lucky enough to be there when Mark came along to speak… to say I was excited was the understatement of the century.
I love visiting the theatre and watching the young people put on a show at our school. I was so inspired by their commitment and attitude, the way they bonded and helped each other, and how they grew in confidence, so when I retired, I took part in my first musical.
Having had no formal acting training, I always want to keep learning and pushing myself. Being part of Ensemble ‘84 is a gift that I could never have dreamed of.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: Billy Elliot
Favourite actor/Role model: Sarah Lancaster
Dream character/role to perform: Roxie Hart from Chicago
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From: Shotley Bridge
After completing his GCSEs and A levels, Joe studied acting at The Theatre Royal in Newcastle and progressed to the Royal Conservatoire, before becoming a member of The Actors Forge in Newcastle for 2 years.
“From a very young age I was exposed to art and movies by my parents. I was taught to think critically about life, imbue creativity into everything I do and felt an intimate connection with images and art.After my training at the theatre I began working professionally, building great relationships with local film makers in the North East and appearing in many films. I hope that by training with Mark I will learn from his incredibly wide range of experiences and take that forward into my career.
I hope that people will see Ensemble ‘84 as one of the leading theatre ensembles and show that not all talent is in London, the north of England has so much talent too.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: Romeo and Juliet at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, 2016/17
Favourite actor/Role model: Ian Mckellan for his power on stage and Joaquin Phoenix for his incredible character acting ability.
Dream character/role to perform: Macbeth
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From: Hartlepool
Former Head of Sales for a ready meal's company, Julie went to Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London as a postgraduate 20+ years ago, but moved home to look after her mum, putting her acting dreams on pause. She then worked as a receptionist in Children's Social Services until retirement.
“I heard about Ensemble ‘84 through a friend and was really nervous to immerse myself in a theatre company so long after training, but this offered both opportunities, training and becoming a company member - ideal. I want to rediscover/reignite my passion for acting, learn the craft and this will hopefully lead to some professional acting jobs.There is talent in every social/economic class. The profession should not be elitist and being an actor should not depend on how much money you have. Ensemble '84 needs to prove that.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: Les Miserables.Favourite actor/Role model: Pete Postlethwaite, Maggie Smith, Andrew Scott, Johnny Flynn and Mark Gattiss
Dream character/role to perform: Ooooo not sure, something gritty!
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From: Darlington
Keith did an apprenticeship in print as soon as he left school and stayed in the trade until 2023. He got himself into a production of A Tale of Two Cities in 2016 and ‘got the bug’. Since that first dip into theatre, Keith has appeared in, directed and written productions alongside his career in print.
“Initially, I thought it would be a one-off, a challenge, and something interesting to do, but I now love every aspect of production, from rehearsal through to the final curtain. A friend of mine sent me a link to an advert she’d spotted on Facebook and I initially thought it was ‘too good to be true’, but I read further and decided to apply for an audition. It genuinely was an incredibly rare opportunity for anyone interested in acting.Mostly, I just want to become a better actor. Amateurs survive on instinct alone, whereas those with good training have an array of tools to aid their performances. Although there are numerous, often excellent amateur groups within the region, they are rarely able to create completely new work and, if they do, it only reaches a small audience. I hope we can raise the profile of the region in terms of new talent, new work and encourage others to follow.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: To Kill a Mockingbird, Gielgud Theatre, 2022
Favourite actor/Role model: Charles Dance
Dream character/role to perform: The Maniac from Accidental Death of an Anarchist
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From: Sherburn Village
Mia attended the University of Lincoln to study BA Illustration and moved back to Durham after graduating. She loved spending time at the university’s drama society, rehearsing and putting on performances, and has performed in productions throughout her education.
“My parents enrolled me in Saturday morning theatre clubs to help build my confidence as I was a shy child, but I fell in love with acting and knew I always wanted to have theatre in my life in some shape or form. I hope Ensemble ‘84 will help me build confidence and gain experience, but maybe to start a career in acting, using all the skills I’ll learn.I think there are a lot of people in this area who have so much untapped potential if only they had the opportunity that people in other areas of the UK are afforded. I hope this opportunity showcases what the
North East is capable of and opens up more doors for people in this area to experience the arts.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: Witness for the Prosecution
Favourite actor/Role model: Andrew Scott
Dream character/role to perform: Eliza from Hamilton or Esmerelda from Hunchback of Notre Dame
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From: Shiraz (Iran), now lives in Blackhall Colliery
Mo moved to the UK from Iran a few years ago. Outside of his diploma in architecture, he has a deep connection with music and discovered the opportunity to join Ensemble ‘84 through the Jobcentre.
“From childhood, I was interested in singing. I always dreamed of having an instrument to accompany my singing, but since I couldn’t afford to buy one, I decided to build a guitar for myself. At the age of 20, I moved from Shiraz to Tehran to find a more open space for music and learned basic classical singing techniques from a Georgian teacher. Living in the capital was very difficult, and after four years, I returned to Shiraz and met some friends who had started a path to introducing music and selling instruments. I was invited to collaborate with them as an expert and executive manager. For 10 years, I worked in various content and consulting formats, doing my best to expand music in my city and country.
I am searching for a way to gain a deeper understanding of myself. Perhaps by getting to know myself better and gaining a clearer understanding of the world around me, I can enjoy the passing moments of my life more fully. My hope is that Ensemble ‘84 will play a part in this.”
Favourite actor/Role model: Andrew Scott or Tom Hanks
Dream character/role to perform: Joe Fox in You’ve Got Mail
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From: Hartlepool
Prior to joining Ensemble ‘84, Phil had been recording and producing an album of original music. Phil has been a musician for most of his life and has been involved in acting since the 1990s.
“I’ve worked as an actor with Bruvvers Theatre Company in Newcastle, been a Storyteller where I worked all over the country visiting schools, I’ve also worked on a few film projects and been involved in Theatre in Education for Head of Steam in Darlington. I have always been deeply affected by music and all of the arts, so for me being involved in theatre is the obvious choice. I saw this opportunity and felt it was a great time for me to do this.
I hope Ensemble ‘84 will be illuminating for me and have a positive impact on my life and career, allowing me to meet and work with new people and have new experiences.
Ensemble ‘84 is such a vibrant organisation it can only have a positive effect on the local area and
showcase that the North East and East Durham is full of talent. I hope it encourages other people to give performing a go.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: Under Milkwood
Favourite actor/Role model: My favourite actor is James Stewart. My role model is Michael Caine.
Dream character/role to perform: I’d love a role like a Private Detective along the lines of Philip Marlow.
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From: Consett
“Before joining Ensemble ‘84, I had worked all over from McDonalds to a pharmacy. I have been performing since I was 5 and have been in multiple musicals since then, including The Addams Family and Into The Woods. As well as theatre, my other hobbies include films and reading.
When I was younger, I remember watching musicals with my grandma and wanting to jump through the screen to join them. I saw the opportunity to join Ensemble ‘84 on Facebook and applied because I wanted to progress as a performer and take the opportunity to grow. I hope that this will be a great starting point in my career and give me all the tools I need to go forward with performing.
I hope Ensemble ‘84 gets the local community excited about theatre again, as I feel it’s been lost since COVID.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: Cabaret at The Kit Kat Club
Favourite actor/Role model: Sam Rockwell
Dream character/role to perform: Captain Beverly Bass in Come From Away
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From: Gilesgate
Stephen graduated with a BA Honours degree in Acting for Stage and Screen at The Northern School of Art in Hartlepool. He got into Performing Arts after watching a screening of La La Land in 2016.
“Watching this film in a classic style cinema changed my life forever. Most of my experience of Drama has come from education, but I have been fortunate enough to work with different theatre companies and venues in the North East.I heard about this opportunity from a great friend of mine and I had wanted to get back into acting since finishing university. I also joined because I have faith in this Ensemble and I believe that we will achieve our goals.
I hope to continue and develop as an actor whilst growing with the ensemble.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: Gerry and Sewell by Jamie Eastlake at the Live Theatre
Favourite actor/Role model: Cillian Murphy
Dream character/role to perform: Yermolai Lopakhin from The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov
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From: West Cornforth, now lives in Ferryhill
Before joining Ensemble ‘84, Wendy was a civil servant and had various jobs throughout her career. Alongside work, she sang professionally for 22 years in clubs across the north east and the UK, as well as three years singing in Spain.
“I trained in ballet from the age of four and took part in various youth theatre shows. Other than club singing, I stopped all theatre to raise my son and started amateur theatre - mainly musicals - five years ago.
I initially saw the ad for the open auditions when I was sat in a hotel, feeling down, after taking my son down to London for drama school. I’ve always wanted to act professionally and never felt like I dared to whilst raising a child alone, but now that he’s flown the coop, I thought this was the perfect time to chase my dream of being an actor. I’m hoping that this is the start of a lifelong career in theatre.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: Les Miserables
Favourite actor/Role model: James McAvoy - his versatility is unmatched.
Dream character/role to perform: Too many!! Play - Lady Macbeth. Musical theatre - Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers or Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard.
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From: Peterlee
Before joining Ensemble ‘84, Willow was studying Biochemistry at University.
“I adore musicals and my parents are big theatre fans.
Ensemble ‘84 has given me the chance to finally get into professional acting, something I have always dreamed of. Both my Nana and my Mam were both performers in Newcastle back in the day - I’m glad to be following in their footsteps!
I hope this gives the country a proper look at the creative arts from County Durham.”
Favourite theatre production you’ve seen: Royal Shakespeare Company, The Taming of the ShrewDream character/role to perform: Christine in Phantom of the Opera
“I’ve always wanted to act professionally and thought this was the perfect time to chase my dream of being an actor. I’m hoping that this is the start of a lifelong career in theatre.”
— Wendy Hindmarch, Company Member