An interview with Rachel Bird

Currently training at Guildford School of Acting, YMT Alumni Rachel Bird chats about her YMT experience.

I've been with YMT since 2005 starting with a Skills Course and then went on to do Last Tango (2006), Great Expectations (2007), Endangered (2008) and then finally Macbeth in (2012) - my last one before I became too old! Each one has been as great as the last if not better each year.

(Rachel as Hecate in Macbeth, 2012)

Do you still keep in contact with any YMTers?

Yes I still talk to a number of people from Macbeth, Endangered and Great Expectations. But also the creative teams - namely, Stuart Harvey, Rachel Birch-Lawson, Peta Lily, Gerry Flanagan and Annemarie Lewis Thomas.

Why should people get involved with YMT?

It's a company that allows you to be who you are, to be creative by inputting to the project. You can share your own talents and be inspired by others in a comfortable, supportive environment.

What would your dream role be?

My dream role right now would be Molly in Ghost. But when I'm old would be Miss Hannigan in Annie.

Favourite Shows?

Ghost, Dogfight, In the Heights, Loserville, Bring it On: the musical, Next to Normal, Showboat, Carousel, Guys and Dolls, Annie Get Your Gun. And so many more...

Tips for YMT Auditions:

Be yourself. That's who they want to see. Try not to present them and idea of what you think the panel want. They want to see your talents and what you can individually do. Also enjoy it. It's workshop based for a reason. So that you can relax and have fun.

What/who should young people research in the arts?

National Theatre Connections plays (it's always young people performing them), Danielle Tarento (a producer of lots of new musicals), Katie Lipson (Aria Entertainment, again lots of new musicals), Benjamin Newsome (Casting Director). Also read the West End Producer's book; it's very good and very funny. If you are someone that is wanting to go and train in Musical Theatre, when you go to see a show always look in the programme at where they have trained because that can always help you with your choice of schools. Look at who went there and what they are doing now.

Favourite food?

Roast Dinner. Preferably Toby Carvery all you can eat.

Ideal holiday?

Somewhere hot with sand and sea. Maybe Bora-Bora but I do love Cyprus.

THE most important question: Scone (as in stone) or Scone (as in gone)?

Scone (gone) for one, scone (stone) for more then one!