Q - What was the first show that you remember seeing?
A - The first show I remember seeing in much detail (as I was taken to the theatre from a young age) was Billy Elliot in the West End. My mum and I went with family friends and we had seats in the stalls. I remember marvelling at how talented the kids were and how much I laughed throughout. I also remember standing up to applaud at the end of the show. I just couldn't hold back the tears, it made a big impression on me definitely.
Q - What inspired you to get into theatre?
A - I always performed at church and school events, singing and dancing my own choreography. I think my family kept me in classes growing up to keep me entertained and burn energy as I was a very active child. They and myself included assumed it would just be a pass time or hobby but at 17 to 18 years old, I felt strongly that I didn't quite have a passion for anything as much as I did for performing and so I auditioned and took more classes to follow my goal. I wasn't actually insistent on being in just theatre, I wanted to be on any platform whether it'd be TV, Stage, Concert and so on!
Q - Whose performance/s have had the biggest impact on you?
A - Revelations by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre! I studied the company's works throughout A-Level Dance, and l was just fascinated by the way the dancers could physicalise themes of faith, slavery and the African American culture so beautifully. They appeared to me to be going through a form of full-body healing through their own movement. It had such depth and meaning, that each time I watched YouTube clips I found more to see and make sense of. When the tour came to my home town I watched them and was even lucky enough to attend class ran by one of the company members. Alvin Ailey made me want to perform works of significance in the future.
Q - What are your favourite show tunes? (You can up to 5 songs)
A - They change all the time! But at the moment I constantly have 'Benny's Dispatch' In the Heights, in my head, it reminds me of the summer!'You Will Be Found' Dear Evan Hansen has a beautiful feel to it. I'd have to put 'Guns and Ships' and 'YorkTown' from Hamilton in the mix because they're epic tracks!
Q - What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
A - To follow my gut instincts and not to second guess what comes to me instinctively because trial and error is OK and it's all apart of the journey.
Q - If you could tell your younger self something what would you tell them?
A - I'd tell myself the best piece of advice I've been given because I'd only learnt it later on in life. I would've benefited from knowing this much earlier.
Q - How do you reflect on your recent run in The Boy in the Dress at the RSC?
A - My time at the RSC on TBITD was really brilliant. It was my professional debut and I couldn't have asked for a better cast and team to have worked or role to have played. I also learnt a lot which I think is important for growth as a performer. I really had a great time!
Q - Away from the theatre what are your other favourite hobbies?
A - Everyone that knows me knows that I love to bake! You can't get me out of the kitchen for making cakes and biscuits and breads! It's very therapeutic for me.
Q- Can you tell us something we might not know about you?
A - I have never eaten a fig!?
I'd like to thank Grace for giving her time and taking part in this interview. You can follow Grace over on Twitter https://twitter.com/gracewylde_
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