Despite having never acted or performed before, Ryan had a ‘gut feeling’ he wanted to become an actor and decided to join Conservatoire EAST in 2018. He thrived on the course, working on numerous shows and events. He has now a professional actor and is currently filming abroad for the Sky-Fi programme ‘The Ark’, which is in its third season. He is thankful for the staff who saw his potential and to the Conservatoire EAST for changing his life.
What made you join Eastern Education Group?
I hadn’t done anything performing arts related at school, not GCSE drama, a club… But I’d always had this idea that it was something I wanted to do. I did a bit of research, and it looked like Conservatoire EAST (West Suffolk College) had a really good course. I went along to speak to Erica Dupuy, who was Course Director then, and I remember her asking me what my experience was and I said ‘nothing’ at all. She asked me why I wanted to be an actor and I said ‘I think I’d be good at it.’ She decided that I had ‘something’ so enrolled me on the Level 2 Foundation course. I can’t thank her enough for that taking that chance as it changed my life! I’d never known what I wanted to do and suddenly, I’d found it.
I was a student in Conservatoire EAST Performing and Production from 2015 – 2018. I started out on the Level 2 Foundation and then went on to the Level 3 Extended Diploma, on the Musical Theatre Pathway. I also achieved both my English and Maths GCSE while I was on Level 2.
Do you have any special memories from your time with us?
Every day was fun, hilarious, and challenging. I am still best friends with the friends I made when I was at college. I remember my first show to the public was actually an improvised comedy show, Improvability, run by Erica Dupuy. It’s not a skill they teach everywhere but I loved it, and I’d never done a show like it before. I remember when I first joined; they asked me if I could sing and I said (honestly) I don’t know. I was really thrilled in my first year there to get a part in the musical Spring Awakening, which was a real shock to me. I also joined the a cappella singing group Armado, that had been set up by students. I loved all the shows we did at Conservatoire EAST, and it was amazing to be involved in such a variety of performances. Nowhere else does performances like Conservatoire EAST, it’s the ONLY place to go if you want to actually get up and perform and not sit and write about it!
What did you go onto to do after College?
From College, I managed to secure a place at Arts Ed, one of the country’s top drama schools on their Acting Pathway. I got an agent straight away and was lucky to do some short films and audition for some other bits. Soon after that, I was cast as Angus in ‘The Ark’ – a Sky and NOW TV show – currently in its third season. Going out to film in another country and staying there for months at a time has been amazing. I wouldn’t have got here without the support and help of the staff at Conservatoire EAST.
Are there any connections you have to EEG?
My sister was on the Hair and Media Makeup course.
I come back as frequently as I can to run workshops with the current Con EAST students and still talk to my former lecturers. I also enjoy coming to watch the current shows at Conservatoire EAST.
Is there a message you would like to share as we celebrate our 100 years of history?
Conservatoire EAST at West Suffolk College was an amazing part of my life that I really look back on. The work ethic I have now came as much from Conservatoire EAST as it did from drama school. I’m really proud to be part of its history and, hopefully, its legacy.
Lastly, do you have any advice for future students and staff at EEG?
I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t have had that gut feeling of what I wanted to do and gone for it. Or what would have happened if Erica hadn’t thought that, despite my lack of experience, I had something about me. The motivation, confidence and skills the course gave me really set me up for drama school and my career. I wouldn’t have got that anywhere else. I would say, if you really want to do it, there’s no better place to go.
If you’re interested in following in Ryan’s footsteps and studying with Conservatoire EAST, click here learn more, Conservatoire EAST: Performing and Production Arts
