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BACKGROUND

Based just outside of London, Hayley is a versatile actress with a wealth of experience both on stage, and behind the scenes.

Stage

An experienced stage performer, including street theatre and open air theatre, I particularly enjoy working in the field of creative devising. I have also performed in a number of more traditional plays, including Shakespeare, as well as contemporary pieces, such as Tamsin Oglesby's controversial play, 'Really Old, Like Forty Five', in the first production outside London, with Ad Hoc Players Theatre Club. In 2012 I won the Best Supporting Actress for my portrayal of Stella Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams with Kytes Theatre Group in the Brents Awards (Brentwood Theatre).

Screen

I have been working as a Supporting Artist since 2013 and see this as a key way of gaining experience of working on film, learning from my peers and taking on board the challenges and technical wonder that go in to producing the finished project. As my experience grows, I hope to move on to featured roles in commercials, online videos, TV and Film.

ADR Work

I have some experience in the field of automated dialogue recording, having contributed background dialogue to a number of television productions including ‘Doctor Who’, ‘Sherlock’ and ‘Silent Witness'. I hope this experience will allow me to benefit from opportunities to work in radio and voiceovers - ideally working with Big Finish on one of their fantastic Doctor Who audio adventures!

Backstage

Aside from my acting roles, I have built up experience behind the scenes on a number of theatre productions in various roles, including Assistant Stage Manager, Stage Manager , Production Manager and Director.

I also have experience in marketing and design and have worked with a number of local theatre groups to design marketing materials in support of their productions, including posters, flyers and even producing trailers!

Background

After studying achieving an A in GCSE Drama, I started doing an A Level in Theatre Studies, but, following a nervous breakdown, switched to a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Barking College, completing the course in 1999.

 

Due to life getting in the way somewhat, I didn't pursue my goals of becoming a professional actor at that point. Instead I worked my way through a number of jobs which weren't really what I wanted to be doing, but all gave me valuable life experience and helped me become the person I am today. These included; being a Party Entertainer and Five Star Crew Member for a well known fast food company; being a Sales Consultant, then Assistant Manager, then Branch Manager at a number of branches of a Mobile Phone Retailer (including a year up in Hull, East Yorkshire); selling Cosmetic and Aesthetic Surgery for a Spanish company; being PA to the Director of Finance and Resources for a major mental health charity, then moving on to be the Coordinator for a network of people with lived experience of mental distress at that same organisation, before, finally, being made redundant in October 2011.

 

Thankfully, since 2008 I'd been involved with a number of amateur theatre groups in my local area, which had rekindled my passion for acting and strengthened my belief that I was, if not brilliant, reasonably good at it. When redundancy came, the financial crisis meant I couldn't get another job and I decided to try and make it as a professional actress.

Career Development

Through my involvement with the amateur theatre groups in my local area, I was able to build on my existing performance skills, learning from the experienced members around me, many of whom had worked professionally in the industry in the past.

 

Their encouragement and support, notably that of Wendi Sheard, Chair of Ad Hoc Players Theatre Club, empowered me to believe in myself and to focus on making things happen.

 

Initially I decided to focus on seeking work backstage due to my strong project management skills, but after getting involved as a volunteer performer on The Girl Who... with Kazzum Arts Project, things really started moving and a few months later I was back working with Kazzum on my first professional acting engagement.

 

This allowed me to get my Equity membership and qualify for my Spotlight registration and, thanks to Robbi Stevens at RAaW London, I soon had the opportunity to gain more awareness and understanding of the industry I had chosen to work in.

Continuing Professional Development

Although I'm now working as a professional actress, there is still a lot I need to learn! I am committed to building my skills, knowledge and experience and seek to attend relevant professional training courses at least twice a year.

 

Recent training includes; one week intensive Screen Acting course (International School of Screen Acting, August 2013), two day Improvisation and Creative Devising course (National Theatre's Education Department, April 2013).

 

In addition, I have participated in a number of workshops aimed at developing technique, including; Voice, Accents and Emotional Availability (RAaW YPTC, April 2013), Creative Devising (Kazzum Arts Project, August 2012), Voice (Cath Baxter, May 2012) and Performing Shakespeare (Joanna Turner, July 2011).

Personal Life

When I'm not involved in a production, rehearsals or chasing auditions, I like to spend time at home in Hornchurch, Essex, with my daughter, who was born in March 2019. We share our home with our two American Corn Snakes, Jasper and Steve, and, during the warmer months, a tortoise, who lives in the garden.

 

I'm a massive fan of Cult TV (especially original Doctor Who), love French Cinema, Bollywood and things that a bit quirky (like me). I love music and have very eclectic tastes, I write poetry, enjoy reading and like visiting museums, galleries and sites of historical interest.

 

The demands of parenting mean I have had to put my acting career on hold, so I am now proudly employed by London Ambulance Service as a Health Advisor for NHS 111. However, I try to leave some time free for projects and continue to take on professional work, including supporting artist work, as and when I can.

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I remain hopeful that I will be able to continue to pursue my dreams in the future.

Mental health and Faith

Of course, my life isn't all wonderful achievements! Like so many other functioning human beings, I have lived experience of mental distress and spent most of my mid-to-late teens and early twenties suffering with extreme periods of depression, anxiety and even panic attacks. I manage to get through life by taking a positive approach and being open and honest about who I am and the challenges I face. Though I feel I have developed a good understanding of myself these days, I still have occasional periods where I'm just not up to doing anything much at all.

 

Mental health affects everyone, regardless of age, gender, race, sexuality or faith. I believe by taking a positive stand and declaring my mental health "problems" up front, I can challenge some of the false perceptions that exist and hopefully prove that you can be "mentally ill" and still contribute to society at a level appropriate to each individual.

 

Most important of all, I'm a committed Christian and thank God daily for the blessings He has brought into my life, including my wonderful and supportive parents, my family and friends. It is through God's Grace that I have been able to cope with my periods of self-doubt and crippling depression, allowing me to follow my dreams. I know that by continuing to listen faithfully to His Word, I will achieve all that He has in mind for me.

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