We were recently invited to be part of an industry guest panel at the 'Mix Up!', a northern networking event by Competent Productions and Likeminded Productions. Following the event, we caught up with Competent's co-director Elissa to hear about her work and journey so far...
Above: Liss with Competent founder and co-director Sean Henry at a Dr Who themed quiz in the Liverpool Arts Bar.
We've known Elissa for a few years, she was part of our 'I Am Not Your Woman' cast in 2019, and co-hosted the Shakespeare Solstice event with us over lockdown. Graduating into the pandemic wasn't easy, but Elissa has gone from strength to strength, working as an actor, facilitator, producer, and now co-director. She also took a break away from the industry for a while - something many of us feel scared to do. We caught up with her to hear all about it.
HAN (The Moonlighters Collective): So, Elissa, like many freelance artists you wear lots of different hats, is there ever such as thing as an average day?
LISS: Not really, no! I just sort of adapt to needs of whatever job I'm doing. Often it's admin, sometimes teaching, or website designing, and my next job is as an actor in a panto tour for schools and as a producer for Competent's winter season. Earlier this year I also toured abroad with a show working as an actor-facilitator in German schools - that was pretty special, but in this industry you never know what will come next.
HAN: It's always a surprise! So, what was your route into the industry like?
LISS: My mum took me to an acting class when I was a kid and it just sort of stuck. Although I guess I really loved playing even before I could talk - I had to have speech therapy when I was younger because I had a hole in my ear drum which meant I was more of less deaf, although for a while nobody realised, so I'd have a great time just playing in my own pretend worlds: creating, inventing. I wasn't that good at school but I was good creatively and I think I liked being recognised for that. And then when I was older I got involved in lots of schemes that introduced storytelling to young people and Christmas pantos where I got to be part of the chorus and watch all the professional main cast. And then I did bits of musical theatre at school. I met this guy who was older and he was applying for this school that focussed on performing and I was like 'those exist?' and he was like 'yeah' so I was like 'tell me about them!'
HAN: So what happened next?
LISS: After that I got into the Brit School, which was really great, and then applied for drama school - but that was when it felt like everything kind of fell apart and I was shocked watching all the best people in the year get rejected and that really brought it home to me - how difficult it is to even get into training. But the thing is, at that age, nobody is walking into those [audition] rooms really talented, they're walking in for the panel to see if they're good to work with or not, if they can be enthusiatic and driven and take direction. And that point I was like 'oh my god, I have no talent' but really I was just young and shy and afraid to put myself forward. But fortunately I was able to join Peer Productions actor development programme which was free* -
*At this point, we both went 'yeahhh' because we LOVE financially accessible training.
and that was the best really, the best year of my life, touring around schools and learning but also having fun, being more independent, living my life really - (laughing) eating dessert before dinner, you know, it was really fun. And then I got into LIPA, fell in love with Liverpool pretty instantly, and continued training from there.
HAN: And how was your drama school experience, in a nutshell?
LISS: Laughed, cried, learnt lots, got broken down, always built back up again but then went straight into the pandemic.
*At this point, we both went 'yeahhh' but in a less enthusiatic way.
HAN: You then did a Masters during the pandemic?
LISS: I did an MA in Creative Media.
HAN: Did it open up your world?
LISS: Well the government said 'train in cyber' and I was like 'you know what, I WILL.' And I did enjoy it, and the skills are really, really useful now as a producer, in terms of running a company, but I have gone back to working more creatively, because I realised it's where my heart was.
HAN: Taking a break from the industry can feel scary to a lot of people, and a lot of creatives feel they'll be judged for it or miss out on something big. Did you feel like that?
LISS: I think I just really needed to get away for a bit, take a break, which is why I did the Masters when I did. I felt I wasn't sure who I was, my self-esteem was quite low and I felt really anxious, and overwhelmed by the industry. One of my tutors said something like "70% of actors are women, but 70% of roles are for men" and that feels very true. I was really confused as to what I brought to the industry, to society - so it was a very existential panic. I'm really glad I took a break, it can really help and I'd encourage people to take breaks when they need - the industry will be there when you get back and you may learn really useful skills along the way, doing something else.
HAN: And over to Competent which you run with (Dan) Sean Henry - you're a Liverpool based events and theatre company running regular quizzes, comedy nights, opportunities for writers and spoken word artists, and you also have a show coming up. Busy times! What should we watch out for?
LISS: Keep an eye on our socials and website for anything upcoming - there's lots of things going on! Coming up on the 10th December we have our Competent Christmas Cracker, which is a theatre show consisting of three original plays around a festive theme. It's going to be really good, heartfelt and funny, so definitely check it out.
You can find out more about Competent's work here!