Our first cohort of MA Performing Arts graduates are now out in the world making waves – we caught up with Anastasiia Huchok to hear about her story, from being a Ukrainian living in Russia to being an acting professional in London today.
What was your Background before starting the course?
I’m originally from Ukraine, but at 17 years old I moved to Russia and enrolled on a BA Acting course in Moscow. I spent four years there, graduated with honours, and I planned to stay there – but then the war started. I left the country and started travelling abroad, looking for a place to stay and I learned that the UK is a great place for Ukrainians and also one of the best places for learning theatre and film – it’s a great place to be an actor.
Why did you choose the MA Performing Arts course at Performers College?
I applied for a course in London, and I was looking at lots of courses. I’d settled in Brighton, and I heard about BIMM University and their acting courses. After contacting them, I found out about the MA course in Essex at Performers College. I liked that it was a one year course, and you can study not just acting, but also different specialist skills that I had never studied before, like directing, entrepreneurship, choreography. The programme seemed very interesting, and I hadn’t seen anything like this while looking at courses. The other courses that I looked at were specifically about acting, or only a specific type of acting. This course felt to me like it would make me a more versatile professional, and it would teach me lots about the wider industry. I also felt a positive connection with Paul the course leader, and I think its important to feel a connection with the people you’re going to work with. I also liked the entrepreneurial side of the course, and I ended up coming up with an idea that I was really proud of.
What was your entrepreneurial project that made you proud?
I had the idea of launching an app for promotion of fringe and Western theatres – a way for small theatres to combine their promotion and get them more engagement. I’d noticed that in the UK there are a lot of theatres, but most of the focus is on the 20% of theatres which could be considered mainstream, but the other 80% of more independent theatres dont get the same engagement. The module taught me how to develop this business idea into an app, and I had good friends who are designers and IT specialists to help me which was a great collaboration.
Do you feel that Performers College helped you settle in to the UK?
Yes, definitely. I sometimes I struggle to understand my classmates because we were all from different areas but everyone has been so welcoming and respectful and made me feel included. It’s given me confidence to believe in myself, that I can do something that I wasn’t sure I could do as I didn’t speak English when I first arrived in the UK. Now my classmates are my friends, and we still talk and hang out together. I’m very happy that I applied and met these people there.
Tell us about your final project, the silent movie
I had to choose my final topic, something to summarise everything that I’d studied up to that point. On the first project I studied training systems and comparing the West and East approaches of acting of training – from Stanislavski to Meyerhold, and Lee Strasberg. I decided to expand on this in my final project.
My inspiration was the silent film era. Because English was still difficult for me, I tried to imagine what kind of project I could do to without using my voice, while still showcasing my acting skills. Before I came to the UK, I was more of a dramatic actress, but after I participated in my friend’s comedy project, I decided that I wanted to try something comedic for a change. When you cannot talk, you have to engage all your body to express yourself. I originally planned to do it on stage, like live performance, but I’m so happy that I didn’t as I learned a lot about filming which was new to me. I’m so happy with my project when I think about what I did. It was difficult, but rewarding. I discovered a lot about myself and about my possibilities.
What are you currently working on?
I have a regular job which is teaching – I started teaching drama for children in two different schools. Also, from time to time I’m filming in projects, for example I just recently finished the student short film project for three days. Before this I’ve already had experience in filming in some other projects, including some TV shows!
At the same time, I continue to looking for more experience for more work for more collaboration. I apply for these through Backstage or Spotlight – I have a good portfolio and some good references from my time at Performers. I once did an audition for Disney and met some other Performers College graduates there which was nice. It’s also been useful to say you’ve been taught by people who worked with some of the companies you’re auditioning for.
What is your dream profession?
My dream to be an actor on stage in London. I’d love to use me words and lines on stage and make people understand me. This is my main goal, to be able to say I’m playing on stage in London. I also discovered in Performers College how it’s important to have collaboration and build a relationships with people.
Do you have any particular highlights of your time at Performers College?
I like to think about when everything was new, at the beginning of the course – how we didn’t know each other. Comparing that to now, how we became closer, I think it’s really my biggest highlight. How we collaborated on our final projects, how we encouraged each other and how we really felt like our own little theatre company.
What would your advice be for someone who was thinking of applying to to the course?
If you’re unsure of what you want to do, the course can highlight and help you to find your path, and help you discover what you have a passion for. The course also helps you learn about the industry, and how it works, and when you know this you will become more confident in yourself. So if you’re not yet confident in your skills, just study, learn, try, meet people, ask every question – even if it sounds silly!
I would like to also say thank you to my classmates, and Paul for always supporting me, believing in me, and always pushing me to do my best. I also appreciate the continued support now I have graduated. It’s amazing to know that if I ever need advice or a reference I can write to Paul and he’ll respond.
Find out more about our MA Performing arts on the course page.
To discover more about Performers College, including auditions and how to apply, contact us at [email protected] or you can Apply Now, or book an Open Day on our Events page.
