Parallax

Julian Afari
Adrian

I am 17 and currently study AS level drama a City and Islington college. I have previously worked with the Suella Dance Studios, Bodens Agency and Jigsaw Performing Arts School. I played a Lost Boy in Peter Pan for three months at The Milfield Theatre and have had roles in The Bill and EastEnders. In the future I want to study economics or business and develop my understanding of drama by getting involved in many more plays, films and TV series.

Naomi Bell
Liv

I am 21 years old from North London. I recently finished my degree in Drama and Creative Writing at Kingston University. I have been coming to the Almeida since 2008 and recently participated in the One-Act Play Festival where a section of the play I created as part of the ScriptLAB project was performed. I hope to go in to acting and writing for film and television after I graduate.

Desara Bosnja
Leah

I have been a YFA member for almost four years and I’m on the YFA Creative Board as an Artistic Director. My credits as a Young Friend include Or Nearest Offer by Tanya Ronder, two One-Act Play Festivals, two YFA Touring Companies and The Rashomon Effect directed by Selma Dimitrijevic. I am National Youth Theatre Member and performing at the National Theatre as part of the Watch This Space Festival. I was recently in a production at the Arcola Theatre called Clown Sex by Natasha Sutton Williams, as part of the 5 Boroughs festival.

Yasemin Ergun
Fran

I have partaken in many projects with the Young Friends of the Almeida since 2008. I was in the first LAB project, performing on the Almeida stage with the wonderful play Or Nearest Offer. My other passions are singing, producing, writing poetry and dancing. I am very much looking forward to the performances, are you?

Ciaran Forde
Conor

I am 16 years old, from London and from a young age I have been interested in the performing arts. I love how much freedom and independence is allowed while acting, which encourages me even more to explore my creative side. Thanks to the YFA, I have never been more comfortable expressing my abilities.

Erica Jeffrey
Katherine

Since joining the YFA last Autumn, I have appeared in the main-stage production The House of Bernarda Alba here at the Almeida. As well as being in Parallax, I am a member of the YFA marketing team for this year's Almeida Festival. I will be training with the National Youth Theatre in August before embarking on a B.A. in acting at Central School of Speech and Drama in October.

Benedicte Kalonji
Nadine 

I have just recently completed my degree in Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies. I have always had a keen interest in theatre, and a passion for acting and joining the YFA has enabled me to develop my acting skills and, most importantly, gain an insight in the theatre industry. Almeida Projects have given me the opportunity to work alongside industry professionals, allowed me to develop as an actor, and develop the confidence to pursue a career in acting.

Chin Kelly
Doctor James

I have been involved with LAB since October 2011 for the great opportunity to perform at the Almeida. I am currently studying at Identity Drama School. My previous experience includes performing twice at the Royal Festival Hall and being in a short film called The Cinema which was promoted at the Raindance Film Festival. In addition to Parallax, I am currently rehearsing a play called Through the Wire, detailing the story of the last absolute Monarchy in Africa, that of Swaziland.

Cory Mandary
Ash

It's felt like a lifetime, but I’m heading towards a year as a part of the family at the Almeida. I’ve spent my time with professional actors and directors and the amount of skills I have learnt I cannot describe in words.

Alice Markey
Sandra

I take a special interest in theatre and have produced, directed and acted in two student-run productions at my sixth-form college, where I am currently studying for my A levels. Participating in LAB has helped me pursue this further by giving insight into the process of creating a piece of drama from scratch.

Faaiz Mbelizi
Aazim

I have had many different acting experiences in the past including performing as part of Oval House’s Around the House; performing at the Lyric Hammersmith and Hoxton Hall. I have also had work experience at the BBC where I got to help make a show for Radio 1 and 1Xtra called East London Right on Track. I also love photography, music and writing in my spare time. In the future I hope to still be acting but as a profession.

Maggie Mohamed
Ettie

I am currently doing my GCSEs and hope to go on to do Drama, Biology, Chemistry and French at A Level. I joined YFA to get more out of acting, to become more confident on stage. In the future I hope to become an actress, chemist, teacher or a director. 

Charlotte Moore
Esther

I worked with the Almeida through my time at college. It gave me an insight into some of the amazing work they do bringing young people into theatre, so after finishing my A Levels I joined the YFA. During the process of working on Parallax, I have gained more confidence, a variety of acting skills, the experience of working as part of a company. I’m enjoying the experience so far and can’t wait to perform to a live audience.

Alannah Olivia
Danielle

I attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. I have been in productions at the Roundhouse Theatre, Oval House Theatre and was recently in Telling Tales here at the Almeida. I recently acted in an advertisement which won the MO Film competition and starred in a short film called These Moments which was entered into the Cannes Film Festival. I also write, and I am currently part of the EastEnders E20 writing school. I am thrilled to be performing in Parallax.

Rebecca Phillips
Fiona

Last time I performed at the Almeida was with the amazing company Slung Low in 2010. I am super excited to be back this summer acting in Parallax with the LAB Company. I trained with the National Youth Theatre last summer and as well as taking part in various short film  and projects over the past couple of years my ambition is to work in  the creative world as an actor for theatre and film and as a writer and I am currently enrolled on the Royal Court Young Writers Programme.

Amelia Ramage
Michelle

I am 17 years old and go to LaSwap Sixth Form, studying Drama and Theatre Studies, English Literature, Human Biology and Chemistry. I have done many other drama activities over the years including two terms at Hampstead Theatre; playing a clown in a production called Scarlett’s Circus and a queen in a devised production. I also took part in a term of Roundhouse Drama - a school production of Much Ado About Nothing. This is my first year being involved in Almeida Projects and I’m enjoying it so far.