Eve Daniel

"Class is always a safe space and the understanding and support I have from my classmates never allows me to feel discouraged. We are all there to learn and support each other through the process"

What made you choose Leeds Conservatoire?

I had been to visit a few institutions in London but I have always loved visiting my friends in Leeds. The amount of students, the student life and social scene is amazing. I had always wished there was more Acting training up north, so now the chance to train at a Conservatoire in the north is too good of an opportunity to miss!

What projects have you worked on so far in your first year?

Lots of projects, including a Greek ensemble project, monologue writing and choreography. But my favourite has to be the Leeds Playhouse Young Playwrights Course, which I do alongside my studies. I applied through the conservatoire, and it is one evening a week. You get the chance to work with amazing theatre makers and writers with the goal of writing your own play! You are split into different groups and each group is assigned a mentor. This way everyone gets time to speak with their mentor, and you can play around with ideas with the rest of the group. I'm glad I have pushed myself to try this, because as an Actor I think it is so important to have as many tools at your discretion as possible, and being able to write your own work is another skill to have and use. 

What about Leeds Conservatoire stands out for you?

For me, the atmosphere at the conservatoire is electric, even in the current circumstances where Actors and Actor musicians attend alternative days to the Musical Theatre students. It is such a positive environment, and there are lots of communal areas to sit and catch up with people. Everyone is always buzzing from their classes and the place is always busy, it’s somewhere that even if you’re having a bad day, you will be able to escape and feel better after throwing yourself into classes and seeing everyone. The course is very close to everyone and although it sounds very cliché, it is like a family! 

What sort of accommodation are you living in? What advice would you give to new students about accommodation?

I live in private accommodation in Headingley with a friend from home. For me it worked really well because I have already done halls of residence. However if it is your first time moving away from home I definitely recommend halls.

Have you learned anything new or exciting since starting your studies at Leeds Conservatoire?

I have learned so many new and exciting things since starting the course, and I could be here forever naming them all! But some of my highlights and breakthrough moments have been in Acting classes, like learning how to find a truthful connection to speech and character, especially in the mini project we did as a class looking at scenes from the play ‘Constellations’ by Nick Payne . Then in our Movement Technique class, I have learned how much I enjoy doing neutral mask work. I find it so exciting and creatively challenging to have my face concealed by a mask, with only your body to try communicate a setting and emotion. Overall, I’m learning more about myself and what I can bring to the space, as well as finding my voice. The course gives more of a sense of self, and as you go on, you become better at reflecting on your work, what you have done and tracking your process, which is so important to be able to do as an Actor.

What is the best advice you have received so far?

The best advice I have received so far is to not be scared of failure. It is an essential part of the learning process which can be scary, especially in an environment where a lot of the time you have to be vulnerable. However, class is always a safe space and the understanding and support I have from my classmates never allows me to feel discouraged. We are all there to learn and support each other through the process.

How would you describe your experience at Leeds Conservatoire so far in three words?

Amazing, amazing, AMAZING!

Find out more about BA (Hons) Acting at Leeds Conservatoire

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