In my portfolio I will be reflecting on my ideal career along with different strategies that may make this applicable. I have put together different skills I have gained throughought my training, prodominantly at Leeds Conservatoire. I have generated example materials to help support this, and will disucuss how this will help to advitise myself in the industry.
Background and Influences
I became interested in Musical Theatre from a young age, influenced by my dad, Darryl. Although music isn’t my dad’s main source of income, he plays in a band, which sparked my interest in music. I was eager to start singing lessons because of this, and I originally trained in operetta for five years in secondary school. However, we went on a trip to watch Wicked in the West End, and from that day on, I knew I wanted to become part of the industry. I began bringing musical theatre repertoire to my singing lessons to retrain my voice, and once my parents saw the dedication I had, they encouraged me to pursue it.
In 2022, I began looking at possible colleges I could attend to get further training in musical theatre. After discussing with my teacher in the industry, I chose to audition for Stagedoor Learning, a two-year course rewarding me with a BTEC Level 3 Diploma at the end of my training. I struggled through my time at college however found that musical theatre was my form of escapism and expression which helped keep me motivated. The course was a triple threat and gave me the foundations I needed to pursue this after college. I had never had training in dance or acting before this, but found myself enjoying them just as much as I enjoyed singing. I performed in multiple shows whilst at college, from variety shows, plays, and musicals, making me a versatile performer and prepared for what my next steps could consist of.
After multiple applications, I decided to audition for Leeds Conservatoire, where I found myself feeling out of my own depth, such as never singing in my chest voice and dancing in tap or ballet. This benefited me as I knew exactly what I needed to work on and what I felt most comfortable with. I have been growing into a versatile performer, improving in different aspects across all boards in my training. Since being in Leeds, I feel more prepared for the industry and ready for what it may bring. My biggest thought about the industry was how I was going to handle how demanding it was; however, since studying at the Conservatoire, doing long hours has helped me build the skills to meet the industry expectations and find the tools to make this easier.
My Experience throughout training:
Throughout my training, it quickly came to my attention how my young appearance and short height may be a nuisance for me for casting, and may limit my opportunities. I found I was less likely to be a lead role as they all needed to be similar heights to seem to appear as one unit. However, after attending Stagedoor Learning, I found I was more likely to be cast as a younger role and could embrace that and broaden my skills to make this even more accessible for me. For example, I have been developing my chest voice throughout my studies in Leeds, which will be beneficial for contemporary shows with a younger cast, rather than my comfortable legit style, which would limit me to older characters. Additionally, I found this gave me more confidence as I am able to make myself appear older, so I can easily access a wider age range.
Along with this, whilst training at Stagedoor Learning, I had the opportunity to work with Jack James Ryan, a Screen actor, for a week to help prepare us for the industry. As someone who has struggled with an anxiety stutter throughout my life, I was often insecure of this and apprehensive of performing, in case this occurred. However, Jack reassured me that I needed to be “accepting of my talents and use it as a character choice”. Often I would reiterate to myself “don’t stutter” but once embracing this and realising that it is a human reaction, I didn’t feel the pressure to hide it. Instead, when I have previously stuttered on stage I have used this as a character choice of them feeling on edge or so angry that they can’t get their words out, making my performance more authentic to the character.
Along with this, I am someone who struggles with ADHD and have found long rehearsal days and processing information difficult. This came to light throughout my training at Stagedoor Learning, when I was undiagnosed. During my training at Leeds, I have been gradually improving my pick up skills in areas such as dance and learning lines, helping my processing time. I have also found communicating this with whoever I am working with can benefit myself along with them. This will help me in the industry as I will be able to then be able to recieve and give the best work I can, no matter the duration of rehearsal times. Whilst working with the creative Sam Spencer Lane I was told my “energy radiates” and have found that my ADHD is more of a benefit than hindrance. This is because it has helped me to stand out and have visual energy throughout rehearsals, leading me to have lots of impulsive and instinctual movements that can benefit the process, as they’re offers.
Creating my Website
For my website, I would include information about myself, along with a self tape of me singing ”Nothing Stops another Day” from Ghost. I would include this video as it highlights my contemporary styled singing well, along with my acting through song. This song also shows my skills in different vocal registers.
https://leedsconservatoire.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=8593dd7f-5ad8-4ba8-aca6-b457015de94d
Additionally, I would upload a video of me performing a monologue from the play Wolves Are Coming For You by Joel Horwood. I would use this monologue as it can be acted out in different contexts. For example, I can play it as if it’s set in a coffee shop and try to keep the conversation private. I also think it suits me very well as it shops a heightened stake along with a grounded conversation, showing the range of my ability for emotions. The playing age of this character is around 16 years-old which suits me due to my height and young appearance.
Along with this, I would include a video of me dancing in a commercial class, showing my strongest style along with my acting through dance. This is important for me to include as it shows a ariety of casting types contrasting my singing, this shows more attitude, giving me more variety for casting.
https://leedsconservatoire.cloud.panopto.eu/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=b404a3cb-1480-4173-b52b-b45701676f5bWebsite:
Title page:
Eve Rasdell
19 Years old
About:
Subtopics regarding each component: Singing, Acting, Dancing
My hobbies
Training:
Stagedoor Learning LTD (2022-2024): Theatre credits while training include – Legend Trippers (2023), directed by Jenny Cameron (as Tamsin), Blank (2024), directed by Jenny Cameron, The Other School, (2024), directed by Jenny Cameron (as Zoe Bennett)
Leeds Conservatoire (2024-2027): Theatre Credits while training include – Cabaret, 2025, directed by Adam Stadius (as Frenchie), Hunchback of Notre Dame, 2025,Aaron Newland-Bently (as Ensemble singing). Dance Project, 2026, choreographed by Simon Hardwick and My Fair Lady, 2026, directed by Sam Spencer Laine (as Mrs Pearce).
My Casting type:
Age – 19
Playing age – 16-24
Ethnicity – White British, Greek
Eye colour – Green
Vocal type – Soprano
Vocal range – E3-E6
Social media:
As someone who is active on social media, however not yet using it for work purposes, I feel like I would benefit from using this as another means of promoting myself. For example, I would utilise short videos on media such as TikTok and Instagram reels, for a younger generation with a shorter attention span. This would also be more informal, as I would be following recent trends to increase the demographic. Along with this, I would also create a professional account with only career based posts, where there would be more formal videos and promotion of me in shows. For example, this video would be used for a platform like TikTok, where it is more relaxed and informal, whilst still showing my vocal abilities.
Headshots:
For my website, I have chosen three contrasting headshots of myself to highlight my versatility for cast type. The first image presents me as young, so it would be beneficial for musicals such as Heathers or Greece, where the characters are predominantly High school students. The second image is best suited for Contemporary styled shows, contrasting my last image, which is suited for legit styled
My CV:
Further information to include on CV:
Accents and Dialects:
Highly skilled: American standard, American Southern, RP
Skilled: Cockney, Irish, Yorkshire
Music and Dance Training:
Highly skilled: Jazz dance, Commercial, Guitar, Soprano, Operetta, Sight reading
Skilled: Tao dance, Contemporary, Ballet
Wider Information:
Creative Skills: Knitting, Drawing, Beauty Enhancements
Additional Skills:
Throughout my training at Leeds, I have had many opportunities to broaden my skills apart from performing. This has helped me have more ideas of possible career paths, still within the industry. In my second year of studies, we did an R&D week, where we assigned ourselves creative roles, with an aim to create the foundation of a musical. My role was lyricist, along with choreographer, on our show After, which was out of my comfort zone to begin with. Despite not having this role before, I quickly settled in and found my own methods to be part of the creative team. It gave me the skill to improvise, along with using detailed analysis of the script, along with the music to create work. The module has also helped me as I am now able to put myself forward for future opportunities such as new musicals that may need a lyricist or choreographer as I now have the experience and will be able to bring creative ideas to them.
Cover letter:
For my portfolio, I have created an example of a Cover Letter that I could use in the future to send to creative teams, for opportunities. For this cover letter I have chosen Heathers The Musical’s production at the Everyman Theatre. I have chosen to contact Clive Thomas who is the theatre’s Board Chair. I chose this company because of the connections I have already made through college, making this a more accessable location for me to work at, with already knowing their creative team.
Conclusion
After training in Musical theatre for four years, I am self-assured in my skills that I have developed in the industry and know what I need to continue to develop. Throughout my last few years at Leeds Conservatoire I will be gaining even more opportunities to expand and solidify my skills. Additionally I want to reinforce all of the skills I have been taught throughout my training to help support my career, such as: professional practice, etiquette and creative offers. This will help me succeed once I finish my training and prepare me for the industry. Along with this, I want to begin improving on my stamina for dance and long rehearsal days, as these are my weakest attributes. I have found this is a skill that times time and dedication to achieve and will be improving on this throughout my training and career. Once achieving this, I will be able to focus on specific performance skills, striving to be the best I can. I will also be utillising the example material ,with more detail, to help expand my career.
