001. Introducing Chantelle

Chantelle is a new student. She's never done any acting of any description before. 22 years old, black, attractive, she's employed as a support worker for people with learning disabilities. As a complete beginner she has no idea whether she can act or not. I give her a few speeches to read, quite short, predominantly from film and therefore pretty much by definition un-theatrical. Among them is a snippet of Bridget from Bridget Jones Diary and Deer Woman from A Straight Story. At first Chantelle is very reticent, very held back but after being directed a couple of times begins to come out of her shell a little. I always find this. The first two or three sessions are really about nerves and how to get over them. Just about everyone is nervous. And not only beginners. The thought of putting yourself on display in front of a total stranger is a nerve-wracking experience. It's because of this that what I'm initially looking for in someone is just a small flash of ability or inspiration, the tiniest flash that I can then build upon.

As it happens, my instincts tell me that Chantelle is more than capable and I take a chance on her. I give her Angela from Like A Virgin by John Godber. It's a long, difficult speech spoken from the perspective of a young girl who is dying, full of emotion and anger and despair. I hold my breath. Will Chantelle even get through it let alone manage to perform any of it? I needn't have worried. Not only does she storm through to the end without mishap but she does so very well indeed, building to a climax that many more experienced actors might have had problems achieving. It just goes to show. We none of us know what skills and talents are sleeping within us. I'm excited by Chantelle and will be interested to watch her progress.