Q & A with the boss!

Theatr na n'Og's artistic director bears her artistic soul. 

What was your first theatrical experience? 

Watching my mam from side of stage in Quietly flows the Usk for the PTA for the welsh school in Merthyr, still to this day not sure if it was a comedy, but there was a lot of laughing onstage!

Why did you decide to work in the arts? 

I suppose I just fell into it really, I've always wanted to do something creative- I suppose I wanted to make films but I was given the wrong career advice, and after taking a year out (when it was not fashionable to take a year out) I got a place in RWCMD, it was a fluke really, nothing was planned.

What was your first job in the arts? 

Stage manager of the Bacchae for Dalier Sylw

Who most inspires you in the arts and why? 

At the moment it’s a close call between Matthew Bourne for such brilliance in direction and infectious entertainment and John Lasseter for creating Pixar. But then there has to be Gareth Malone who inspires people's passion to sing. Amazing!  

If you could give one piece of advice to those starting out or wanting a career in the arts what would it be? 

Work hard, learn, work hard, be nice, work hard and do not take it for granted. Unlike education, working in the arts is a privilege not a right.