Firstly, I asked Jessica how she got into the Theatre School

Jessica was at Hinchingbrooke and although she had always wanted to go to a theatre school she had never done anything about it. Then she said that at school one day,
‘A friend, just by chance, had ‘The Stage' paper, a teacher walked in when I shouldn't have been reading it, so I just rammed it in my bag and it ended up at home. That was just pure luck.'

In that particular issue of ‘The Stage' was an advert for auditions for the Sylvia Young Theatre School. Jessica filled in the application without bothering to mention it to her parents and got a letter back asking her for an audition saying that she needed to have a song, a dance and two acting pieces prepared. She remembers the song - Part of your World from The Little Mermaid and said,
‘I cringe at that now you know because now I'm going to that school it's a bit embarrassing because people turn their noses up at Disney because it's considered a bit corny.'

Her dad took her London for the auditions, which went well, and she got a recall for the second stage where the final decisions are made. At this she found she was in competition with other children who were already in West End shows, one for instance was playing the lead role in Oliver. Jessica said,
‘I just sat there feeling really small. All I'd done was some school plays at Hinchingbrooke and a couple of pantomimes. We just thought never in a million years have I even got a chance.'
But the dream came true and Jessica got a part scholarship from Sylvia Young's own fund. Her parents she confided ‘have been so supportive it's unbelievable'.

I then asked Jessica what she does at the school and what she has gained most from it.

Like any school academic work is a high priority but Jessica has had to cram all the work for the 8 GCSEs she is sitting this summer in to three days a week. Thursdays and Fridays are very different from life at Hinchingbrooke. They are taken up with a range of vocational classes on dancing, singing and acting. Jessica's favourite are the acting lessons which vary enormously from totally over top improvisations to deeply emotional pieces. Jessica explained,
‘I've been in a class where you've just watched someone commit suicide and it seems almost real. It's finished and I've been crying my eyes out.'

One great advantage of being at a Theatre School is the contacts that it provides. Jessica has already met many casting directors and is gradually getting her face known. All the pupils have their photograph and resume in the "Spotlight" directory which directors will often use to select people for auditions.

Jessica has done some work since being at the school but explained that she doesn't have a "commercial face" for doing adverts where apparently most directors are convinced that girls require blond hair, blue eyes and light suntans! She has auditioned for shows such as Grange Hill as well as doing trailers for Live and Kicking and features in magazines such as Mizz.

Aside from the technical and academic education what was obvious to me was Jessica's level of independence, maturity and communication skills. Self-confidence is obviously a prerequisite for a theatre school but there was no arrogance, just a deep determination to do the best that she possibly could through a combination of hard work, commitment and that much dreamt of lucky break.

Another 15 year old former classmate called Billie was lucky enough to get that break. A combination of the right look and the right voice to suit a particular pop industry marketing man's requirements has seen Billie lined up to a series of number one hits and a choice of future work, including film roles. Jessica laughingly explained that she doesn't take herself seriously as a singer and so would be quite happy to start off in the pop industry, get herself a name that people would be prepared to invest in and then move into films once she was a marketable commodity.

As 16 is a turning point for most people I asked Jessica "What's next?"

You have to leave the Sylvia Young School at 16 and everyone goes their own directions. Jessica has decided to do ‘A' levels to have them as a fall back. She explained that her big concern had been that stopping to do ‘A' levels would get in the way but discovered that 16 to 18 is the worst age to try to get acting work because you're not considered for adult roles until you're 18 but directors won't give a 16 year old child roles because they have to pay you more. Her pragmatic approach to life shone through as she said,
‘I don't want to go into it being ignorant. I know I've got so much to learn still.'

Jessica is obviously ambitious and has a clear idea of where she wants to go and what she would like to be, so I asked her what her acting ambitions are and what would be her dream role.

The answer was instantaneous,
‘I want to get into films - the big blockbusters - I want that Oscar!'

Enthusiasm shone out as she thought of her dream role and concluded that what she wants is a character she can really get her teeth into. She explained that, for instance, in a fairy tale, she wouldn't want to be the princess, always the witch! For now though her dream is to play a complete range of roles. Film and television have the greatest appeal rather than stage work. Jessica explained that the techniques are very different, on the stage everything has to be so exaggerated but acting that is filmed close up has to be much more subtle, almost underplayed, to appear real and she prefers the challenge of doing that.

Jessica is convinced that she will make it and believes that you can't afford to have doubts. She said,
‘I have such a strong belief I will get there and such a strong determination. I think if you want something, you have to do it, you can't sit and expect it to happen for you.'

© 1999 Godmanchester Community Association