I would like to introduce ‘Out of the Box’ that “seeks to bring attention to the darkness and light of humanity through the arts”.  I have been acting since I was 7 and then I spent years trying to work out why the God would want me to be an actress.

You see, acting for me is a vocation but I couldn’t see how God could use me.  Of course, this is what faith is all about.  As our company name illuminates (I am co-director with award winning write Stephen Loveless), this was truly living ‘Out of the Box’.

One of the best pieces of advice anyone has given me was from a Christian lady who told me, ‘Always have single mindedness before God’.  I went on to study Theology at university, while still clinging to my acting dreams.  I had no idea how it would happen.  All I could do was trust. 

I then went on to work at RADA and learnt very valuable administrative and business skills that are now coming in very handy!  Of course I couldn’t see it at the time, but now I am very slowly seeing how God has knitted things together. 

'Laughs from Leicestershire' Edinburgh 2010

I did my Masters in European Classical Acting at the Drama Centre London.  I remember when I received the letter in the post offering me a place after years of struggling to find my way, auditioning and failing.  I had such a sense of peace. 

I always believed that my love of God and my love of the arts would come together.  The arts are about feeling with your heart not just understanding with your head.  And it is when we are moved on that deep, deep level that we change and the lives of the people around us can change too. 

When I met my business partner, I realised that here was someone who shared my vision, and together we could make things happen.  Our first project will be a stage play, exposing the horror of trafficking through the personal story of a survivor.  We will then be working on a feature film that explores one woman’s story of a relationship torn apart by her faith and her partner’s unbelief. 

I am moved and driven by the fact that so many people have limited choices; perhaps it is just the choice to get through the day, to survive.  I feel so blessed to have the choices and opportunities to follow my heart, and God, and allow Him to fulfil my dreams.

I urge you to allow the greatness of God to shine in you and through you.  Every dream, no matter how big or small, is a seed that can grow in to something beautiful.