Take the Stage is our series where we catch up with graduates from our Performing Arts schools, Performers College and Northern Ballet School. This week we’re catching up with Alexa Williams, social media influencer, presenter, and Performers College graduate on what shes been up to since graduating.
WHAT IS AN AVERAGE DAY LIKE FOR YOU SINCE GRADUATING?
For me I had a different experience into “grad life” – I had quite a quick turnaround within my social media realm! I still continue to audition for musicals, but I am grateful to also be able to work through my social media at the same time. This has allowed so many more opportunities, for example I now have an agency representation for acting, but also for TV, PR, Radio, Presenting etc. This is a huge opportunity for me as I always knew that I could do more, I just didn’t know where to start. I’ve since done some presenting and interviewing for the BBC and other TV companies. I think having a platform really does help and I’m grateful that I started posting all the way back in lockdown. I continued with this through my time at Performers College, but I could put work into it full-time once I graduated and now I’ve hit 500k followers. My daily routine is usually to film content most days and to make sure I’m posting more than twice a day, constantly showing my presence on my platform. I’m still taking singing lessons and trying to keep up with performing on the side as that is still my passion!
WHAT IS YOUR TOP CAREER TIP/ADVICE TO CURRENT STUDENTS AND OTHER UP-AND COMING PERFORMERS?
My top advice for going into this industry is to realise it’s okay to also have a life! This seems obvious, but once you graduate it can be hard to get a job straight away. Make sure you have good people around you, get a job and earn money elsewhere – I’m lucky as I can use social media for this and to work in that industry. It is possible for anyone. You just have to want it and be authentically yourself! It can be easy to feel guilty for not filling your week with acting or dance classes every week, but stop putting pressure on yourself – as long as you are bettering yourself and working towards goals, there is no rush! You might get your first job in the industry tomorrow, or maybe it will be further down the line, so you have to have a balance – make sure you’re enjoying your non-performing life too.
WHY IS COLLABORATION IMPORTANT IN CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, AND WHAT WOULD YOUR NUMBER ONE COLLABORATION TIP BE?
Collaboration is so important in the industry. By being able to connect with people, you are opening doors and extending your personal network – and this network can really inspire you. Also, a lot of people I’ve met recently have ended up being really good mates! Everyone’s in the same boat – make sure you support all the people in the industry. My number one collaboration tip would be to respect other performers’ work, and show love. Social media is great for this! People in the industry notice when you’ve been supportive of other people’s work, which can lead to great opportunities. You should also make sure you socialise! Don’t feel guilty for having a good time away from constantly training because I’ve met some important people at events and even at the pub – get yourself out there, literally!
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR TIME AT PERFORMERS COLLEGE?
My biggest takeaway from my time at Performers was to just GO FOR IT. It sounds so cringe, but at Performers I was authentically myself. I had teachers advising that I could go into presenting and TV work even then because of my personality. I never let anyone tell me that I couldn’t be myself. It’s hard when you have so many people with huge personalities, as we are all drama queens, but just be yourself and don’t ever judge anyone for their choices, or being themselves. Theres also an old saying, sink or swim – if it sinks, then try again. I learnt this at college and I’m grateful that I built that thick skin and developed my own resilience.
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO NEXT?
With what I do honestly anything could come round the corner. I’ve just started a podcast, and also just interviewed on my first red carpet with BBC for a premiere and they have said they want to work with me again. So hopefully, I’ll go bigger and better from here working with corporate brands and TV companies – whilst still auditioning for musicals!
To discover more about Performers College, including auditions and how to apply, contact us at [email protected] or book an Open Day on our Events page.
