Who was I aged 21?

21 was a huge turning point in my life.


Before this age I was determined to perform, go to Drama School in London, train to be an actor and then who knows, I was so focused on the goal of getting in to Drama School I had not really considered my life after it or even during my time training.
In January 2007 I began dating my now wife Emma.
In April 2007 at 21 and 6 month I was performing in Much Ado About Nothing the final play in my Youth Theatre (Stage2). I had been performing with them for 12 years and was coming to terms with leaving for life in London. The day before the show opened I received a letter to tell me I was no longer on the shortlist for RADA, I had already turned down other places on other courses so I had no alternative path. So I was facing the prospect of another year in Birmingham looking for work as a Drama tutor and maybe some acting work. 
I then received a phone call from the Director of Stage2 saying that more work had come up with them and would I like to take up a admin and teaching post with Stage2.


I had been teaching in schools, youth groups, at Stage2 and also training pupils for drama exams since I was 18 and absolutely loved it but had never considered that this could be a career for me, I was so focused on Drama School probably because it was so hard to get in and I wanted to prove I could do it.
I grew up very quickly and went from a someone in their 3rd gap year to an established professional very quickly and relished the opportunity to make a real difference to young people's lives and the work of the fantastic company I had been so connected and embedded  in for so long.
  I have now been working for Stage2 for 5 years and am the Company Manger, Directing and Producing productions; managing the charities finances; planning, running and contracting projects; teaching and delivering sessions and workshops for 200 young people in inner city Birmingham. I work with 2 other former members of Stage2 who are not yet even 21 and are already giving back so much to our wonderful company. I love my job and the people I work with. 




A few days before my 22nd birthday Emma (my now wife) moved to Essex! This changed both of our lives a lot.