Artist of the Month-February-Vanessa Noble
Our Artist of the Month is Vanessa Noble, she was recently nominated by a member of the community and we can see why! She's only been in Hong Kong for a year but has been involved with a ton of projects that included working with Aurora Theatre, Mother Mattters, Shakespeare in the Port and she is currently the director of VDAY. VDAY is a global arts event that promotes awareness and raises funds for women's issues world-wide during the week of February 14th. Get to know Vanessa below! (And also know she can play a mean saxophone...)
1. Name, Birthplace, Age
Vanessa Noble, England, 22
2. How does where you were raised affect your work?
Being raised in a small town, the Theatre scene was always pretty small. I was always involved with shows that encouraged thinking outside the box and challenging social and political views. I was raised to challenge the norm and encourage theatre for a change; for a reason. This has become embedded in my practise. This then developed when I moved to London and dove into the world of Applied Theatre.
3. Where did you train?
The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London.
I also trained privately in Music, specialising in the Clarinet and Saxophone.
4. What is your favorite style of performance? Why?
Either Musical theatre or Devised performance. Musical theatre is such a guilty pleasure of mine; whenever i am feeling down I listen to soundtracks on repeat (Legally Blonde and Les Miserables being my favourites!) However, I also love the process of devising with participants and creating original work which is flexible enough to feed from specific audiences.
5. What was the best show you EVER saw?
Back to my guilty pleasures, I would have to say Hairspray! the Musical in London's west end. I remember getting front row seats for £10 with my Central School card so perhaps this bargain enhanced the experience!
6. What was the best show in HK you EVER saw? (You cannot say your own.)
To be honest, I have been involved with more shows than I have seen.... I would have to say I very much enjoyed 'An evening with the bard/ Sorry Shakespeare'. It's not often I laugh out loud in the theatre.
7.What piece of work are you the most proud of? (please include photo, if possible)
An adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, 2012. The performance used the script however, it was not rigid; we wrote an original soundtrack and performed live music and dance. The cast made the costumes, props and even the set. Due to the large scale of this project and being able to say I was involved in every stage and area of the production makes me very proud (if not a little nostalgic!)
8. What is your process like?
I adapt to each situation and scenario. If I am performing, I prefer to delve into the character and the lines blind. I then research the character if possible at a later stage. I prefer original outlooks. If I'm performing musically, I sometimes learn the music..! If I am directing, I ask for as much actor input as my own, it makes the process much smoother. If I am facilitating... devising all the way.
9. What is your dream project?
I am above all a Theatre Facilitator. Having worked in Prisons in South Africa and Doncaster, my dream project is to work within the criminal justice sector producing projects and performances.
10. If you could change one thing about the art scene in HK, what would it be?
To have more government support available for new and original work to bring the price of theatre down and make it accessible to more people.
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