Here at Felixstowe School, we are very proud of the rising achievers we teach and grow with each year. Our students have accomplished many things this year, with Year 10 student Ashleigh Morling joining the Can You Dance UK Tour, and our U16 girls badminton team placing second in the Badminton County Finals.
However, a notable individual is Year 11 student Katie Mitton, who has recently been cast as Young Jenny in Aspects of Love at the Lyric Theatre in London - marking her West End debut at just 16 years old. She opened the show in the midst of her GCSE exams, and has received a place at Italia Conti, a prestiguous drama college in London, where stars like Declan Spaine (Hamilton, Get Up Stand Up), Layton Williams (Everybody's Talking About Jamie), Martine Mccutcheon (Love Actually), Naomi Campbell and many more once studied.
We spoke with Katie a few weeks ago about how it feels to be performing in Aspects of Love, and what she sees for herself in the future. Here is the interview.
How did you feel when you first got the audition through?
"I was absolutely mind-blown, but so grateful when I found out I’d been offered the role! I guess I labelled performing in the West End as dream for so long that it was hard to believe it was going to be a reality."
When and where were you when you found out you booked the job? What was your reaction / how were you feeling?
"I found out on the 10th of March, just 2 days after my final audition; I was very lucky as two days of not knowing felt like more than enough. I came out of a cello lesson and both my dad and my sister mouthed to me that I’d been offered the role as my mum had just received the phone call. Unsurprisingly, I screamed and my cello teacher, who had been helping me carry sheet music, had no clue what was going on. When I told her, she shared my utter delight and couldn’t have been more happy for me!"
What did it feel like to make your West End debut? Especially on one of the most prestigious stages of the West End?
"It was just like overwhelming happiness and gratitude that has stayed with me for the rest of the week. I walked into my GCSE exams smiling as I knew what the weekend was going to bring. I was so proud of myself on opening night for working hard for my achievement that I cried the happiest tears."
What is it like working alongside Michael Ball?
"Despite being insanely talented and full of experience and knowledge, Michael Ball is so kind and amazing to work with. It’s the little things like how he says hello and asks how I am when I walk into rehearsals that makes it such a welcoming environment to be a part of. Of course I will never tire of hearing him sing Love Changes Everything as watching it live is so magical."
What's next for you after this contract? Any dream shows? What do you plan to do after year 11?
"After year 11, I will be going to study a Level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre at Italia Conti which is super exciting. I can only wish for more West End opportunities to arise and Italia Conti should help me to improve and make sure I’m on the right track to turn performing into a life-long career."
Who was the first person you told?
"As I previously mentioned, my cello teacher was the very first person I told as my immediate family already knew, however, as soon as I got into the car I called my nan and it was one the most exciting and surreal phone calls to ever be lucky enough to make!"
How are you managing the show alongside work, your GCSEs, school and other commitments - especially on double show days? How are the school and community supporting you?
"I’m incredibly fortunate that school were able to work with the theatre to organise a schedule that best fit both my shows and my exams. During my exam period, I’ll perform on Friday evenings and then both the matinee and evening on Saturdays as this allows me to take my exams during the week. Everyone has been so supportive and people are constantly checking up on me to make sure I’m sleeping well, eating well, etc. as health is super important."
Any tips for aspiring performers?
"My biggest tip for aspiring performers is never turn down an opportunity. Small performances to an audience of 10 people are equally as important as the biggest performances of your life. They all help you to grow and become the best performer you can be and eventually your hard work will pay off!"
What has this show taught you about yourself so far?
"It’s taught me to trust in my talent and be confident when I walk into a room because I would have never been offered the job if I wasn’t good enough to do it. The other two girls I share the role with are both amazingly talented and yet I was asked to perform on opening night so I must be doing something right."
What's your favourite moment in the show, and your favourite memory with the show, so far?
"Obviously duetting with Michael Ball has to be one of the best things I will ever do in my entire lifetime so that’s definitely one my favourite moments! But also going on for bows at the end with the cast is the best feeling as not only am I sharing the stage with some incredible people but the audience are so supportive and happy that I can’t help but feel so at home. I have so many amazing memories from rehearsals but there was a particular day where our leading lady Laura Pitt-Pulford wasn’t feeling too well and so I went up to her and said ‘I don’t if it helps, but I think you’re smashing it’. Knowing that I was able to make her smile and feel good about herself felt amazing for me and I will always cherish that feeling."
Aspects of Love is booking until the 19th of August; get your tickets now and support Katie Mitton and the talented cast.
By Grace Wells
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