Acting Journey:
Hello, I’m Declan Wilson, I’m 19 years old and I’ve grown up in Kent for the past 16 years.
I began my acting journey when I first joined the ensemble cast for my school’s Christmas show in 2016. It was Peter Pan, and I had the role of Nana the Dog and a Neverland Pirate. As it was my first time, I was extremely nervous before showtime, but I was able to overcome my fear and found myself to be enjoying my time on stage and behind. My cast were very supportive and understanding of everyone and their strengths and weaknesses which made my decision easier to continue doing Christmas shows all through school. Every show I did I enjoyed more than the last and it inspired me to want a career in acting. Through college I further developed all aspects of acting by learning the technological side. The cameras, lighting, stage presence. And through learning these skills I found that voice acting is what I really want to aspire to be. I chose this programme as I feel it will truly allow me to explore many creative outlets and find new techniques that will help me further my career in acting in the future.
The performance I chose to resonate with is Shrek the Musical. I first saw this Musical in London when I was 10 and it being my first musical, I was instantly hooked. From the experience of watching one of my favourite films at the time right in front of me onstage to hearing all the new songs accompanying such a well scripted and staged performance all choreographed into an amazing first musical experience. The stage show keeps the same storyline and elements but mixes in a whole plethora of new toe-tapping songs that further add to the characters’ reasoning and thoughts during the runtime. My favourite scene in the show is when Shrek and Donkey have just rescued the princess and are discussing what to do when they both return back to Shrek’s swamp. The complex emotions we see from Shrek so quickly are spot on. From extreme resent and anger to the idea that Donkey even imagined the idea of living with Shrek to the guilt and shame he feels after realising that the anger he’s had all these years at the world is finally coming out but he’s putting all of it toward the wrong person. It’s one of my favourite scenes from any musical that I’ve seen. It made me truly appreciate how amazing the directing was and how well this adaptation was as a whole.
I aspire to be a voice actor when I’m older and I truly believe a course in acting will further my career opportunities and break me out of my introverted side that I’ve been feeling has grown since the last time I was onstage. I’m looking forward to beginning this year with everyone and hope to have an amazing time performing onstage again.
Comments
It's a pelasure to have you with us, Declan. It's fun to hear about the journey you took to get here. I am looking forward to seeing you develop your style of performance while you are here in Sheffield with us.
Your journey into acting is a compelling story of growth and discovery. Starting as Nana the Dog and a Neverland Pirate in your school's Christmas show, you overcame initial nerves and found joy both on and behind the stage. Each subsequent performance deepened your passion and conviction for a career in acting. College provided you with a broader understanding of the technical aspects of acting, including cameras, lighting, and stage presence. Your realisation that voice acting is your true aspiration is an important insight. Choosing this programme to explore various creative outlets and techniques aligns perfectly with your ambitions. Shrek the Musical evidently left a significant impression on you, and your analysis of the complex emotions portrayed in the show's scenes demonstrates your keen appreciation for the art of theatre. Your aspiration to become a voice actor is both clear and exciting. Pursuing this course to expand your career opportunities and rekindle your love for the stage is a promising step. Embracing this new chapter with your peers, you're poised for a fulfilling journey in acting. Welcome to the course!