Cat graduated from the One Year Acting Course in 2018. After graduating, she performed the role of Miss Osborne in the world premiere of Laura Wade’s new play The Watsons at Chichester Festival Theatre in the autumn of 2018 and will do so for the upcoming West End production at the Harold Pinter Theatre. She played a guest lead role in Doctors and went on to play Beth in Dracula for BBC1 and Netflix.
She also played the role of Octavia in Petroleuese at the Lyric Hammersmith. She is now hoping to produce and play a leading role in Farewell She Goes, a film about female friendship, race and women’s rights. It is inspired by the real life of Dido Elizabeth Belle, an 18th Century mixed race heiress.
What made you choose the oxford school of drama over other schools?
Firstly, Oxford was the only school that I auditioned for! I loved the feeling of being hidden away on a farm where training would be the sole focus. I also really loved that the course was purely practical – having just graduated from Oxford University I was very much ready to leave writing essays behind! But mostly, I just loved the feeling I got at my first audition – it is nothing more than pure gut instinct, but I knew I had to go there.
What do you think makes the training at the oxford school of drama so special?
I think Oxford has an incredibly unique focus and drive to encourage students to be proactive throughout their career. Don’t just sit back and expect things to happen to you – this won’t be the case. The number of past students who go on to make their own work is astonishing and I think quite rightly something that OSD strongly encourages.
Can you remember a time at the school that was of particular significance for you?
I had some incredibly unique personal circumstances during my time at the school and the way that everyone – from students to staff – mobilised and went above and beyond what seemed conceivably possible to support me will stay with me forever. What it says to me, is that this is a school that welcomes you, no matter who you are and whatever is going on. Once you are a part of the school, you are family.
Looking back, what aspects of the training do you particularly value now you are in the profession?
I think mostly that it is OK and even encouraged to ‘get it wrong’. Learning isn’t just about always getting it right – it is about being willing to learn. And part of the journey of discovery may mean letting go of some ideas you have held about yourself for a long time!
