Talented Greenhouse drama students on the verge of stardom
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Nathan and Jane, who both attend Greenhouse’s White City Youth Theatre (GWCYT), have been catapulted to success in very different ways.
Nathan, who first joined Greenhouse at the age of 13, is now an associate artist at the Lyric Theatre and has launched his own production company ‘Kool Beanz’.
Drama has also transformed the life of Jane, 17, who fought off competition from over 4,500 aspiring actors to be chosen for the National Youth Theatre (NYT). The pair recently put on show at the Bush Theatre in a unique GWCYT production, written by Nathan and starring Jane and a cast of 15 other students.
Nathan, 20, said: “I first joined Greenhouse’s drama programme when I’d just started secondary school. I looked really young for my age, was bullied a bit and wasn’t very self confident, but being on stage allowed me to play a different character and step out of reality.
“Drama helped me find out who I was and has given me motivation and confidence. Mel and Lucy (Greenhouse dance coaches) helped me with the Lyric Theatre and have been really encouraging and supportive.”
Nathan produced the GWCYT’s summer programme and has written a gritty production about the White City Estate. Aside from his work with the Lyric, which has seen him tread the boards over 150 times, Nathan has also showcased comedy at the British Film Institute at London’s Southbank.
Jane, 17, who has been with Greenhouse for four years, said: “I joined Greenhouse because I had nothing better to do, I got into terrible fights at school but drama helped me build my confidence and do better at school. I love stepping out of life and pretending to be someone different, like a mean girl, I love nasty characters.
“Mel and Lucy have been so supportive they’re like angels. They’ve really pushed me and I now want to make something of my life and I’m sure drama will always be part of that.”
Jane spent two weeks with the NYT and hopes to combine her love of drama with her passion for science at university.