Claire Howes

Peer Productions
Actor

Leatherhead, United Kingdom

Member Since:
August 2013

Last online:
> 2 weeks ago

Invites sent:
0

About Claire

Since surviving an immune deficient childhood and battling through a bone marrow transplant, aged nine, I constantly strive to live each day to the full.

When I was twelve I saw an advertisement for a local Am Dram production of 'Annie' and soon found my timid self nervously auditioning, along with two hundred other girls, for the musical with Leatherhead Operatic Society. I didn't think I stood a chance but when I found myself accepted as one of the twenty girls to be in the show, my acting career began.

Ever since 'Annie', theatre has become my second home: on-stage, back-stage and front-of-house. I have performed in over forty musical productions, dance shows and plays, in local theatres and schools, as well as taking the lead role in a student movie and as two key characters in reconstructive footage for historical crime documentaries on television.

At only five foot in height, I see things from a rare perspective; always looking up and out at the world, open and eager to explore, learn and develop.

In 2009 I travelled around New Zealand and Australia on my own for five months. Although terrified to begin with, I soon came out of my shell, enthusiastically taking part in thrilling activities such as white water rafting, hang-gliding, swimming with dolphins, bungee jumping and sky diving. I learned how to fend for myself and find my way around; I thoroughly enjoyed my time Down Under but it was also a great learning curve for me and I'm proud to have had the courage and ability to go out and do these things at such a young age.

After studying Psychology at the University of Surrey, I joined Peer Productions in September 2013. Peer Productions are a charity based company that hire apprentice actors to tour schools in the South East performing educational shows on social issues; such as teenage pregnancy, body image, domestic abuse, addiction, and many others. We take these topics and, in a fun, safe environment, present them to young people in a way they can understand and be comfortable talking about; making them aware that these things can happen to them or the people around them and it's alright to ask for help.

As well as this, we run drama and film workshops with disadvantaged youth; for example in Easter 2014 we invited a group of young carers to a film workshop, where we taught them how to use the cameras, the names of specific shots, how to act and speak in front of the camera, and how to make wounds with make-up. Then they worked together in a team to create a film that they could take away with them.

We also run a Youth Theatre, engaging the apprentices in all aspects of production especially during their main show of the year. During 'The Addams Family Musical', at the Rhoda McGraw Theatre in Woking, my main focus was sound and microphones. This built on my experience of working as a stage manager, assistant stage manager and deputy stage manager over the years, since my work experience in sole control of lighting at the Electric Theatre, Guilford, at the tender age of sixteen.

More recently I successfully auditioned for Drama Studio London and have been offered a place on their two-year 'Diploma in Professional Acting' course, based in Ealing. I begin in October and am thoroughly looking forward to learning more and developing my skills as an actor, as well as discovering the benefits and drawbacks of living away from home.

In the future I hope to continue my passion for acting in theatre and perhaps try my hand at more film or TV work. I aspire, someday, to work with the wonderfully talented Alex Kingston. And it would be an absolute dream come true to get a part on the legendary TV series 'Doctor Who'.

Unique traits: Five foot tall, curly hair, playing age 16-26 (have effectively played as young as 6 years, at real age of 24), play steel pans,

Gender:
Female

Height:
5'

Weight:
50

Body type:
Slim

Hair:
Medium

Hair color:
Brown

Eyes:
Hazel

Ethnicity:
Caucasian

Certifications

Photos

Fidel (yes - those are my legs) in 'Witches of Eastwick'

Credits

The Addictions Project (2014)
Theater by Peer Productions/Nina Lemon Righty
The Body Image Project (2014)
Theater by Peer Productions/Jason Orbaum Suzie
Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook - Josef Fritzl case (2013)
Documentary by Talent South Elizabeth Fritzl
The Teenage Pregnancy Project (2013)
Theater by Peer Productions/Jason Orbaum Various Roles
Fred Dinenage Murder Casebook - Jack the Ripper case (2013)
Documentary by Talent South Mary Jane Kelly
Beauty and the Beast (2013)
Theater by Leatherhead Operatic Society/John Harris-Rees Spoon
Thespis (Gilbert & Sullivan) - UK Am Dram Premiere (2012)
Theater by Leatherhead Operatic Society/John Harris-Rees Ensemble
Rent (2011)
Theater by Surrey University Stage Manager
Bad Girls (2010)
Theater by Leatherhead Operatic Society/John Harris-Rees Leanna
Sleeping Beauty (2010)
Theater by YouTheatre Back-Up Singer
The Witches of Eastwick (2009)
Theater by Epsom Light Operatic Society Fidel
The Wizard of Oz (2009)
Theater by Epsom Players Nikko (the evil flying monkey)
Sweeney Todd (2009)
Theater by Leatherhead Operatic Society Ensemble
We Will Rock You (2008)
Theater by Epsom Players Lead Dancer
The King and I (2008)
Theater by Leatherhead Operatic Society Mischief Maker Topsy
Thoroughly Modern Millie (2007)
Theater by Leatherhead Operatic Society Lead Dancer
Copacabana (2007)
Theater by Dorking Academy of Performing Arts Lead Dancer
Gypsy (2006)
Theater by Mid Surrey Theatre Company Various Roles
HMS Pinafore (2006)
Theater by Leatherhead Operatic Society Naughty Niece
Grimm Tales (2006)
Theater by Storm the Stage Ashputtel
Pendragon (2006)
Theater by Dorking Academy of Performing Arts Young Guinevere
The Selfish Giant (2005)
Theater by Enter Stage Right Flakes
Oliver (2005)
Theater by Leatherhead Operatic Society Ensemble
The Wiz (2005)
Theater by Dorking Academy of Performing Arts Yellow Brick Road/Lead Dancer
Bugsy Malone (2004)
Theater by Dorking Academy of Performing Arts Lead Dancer
Jesus Christ Superstar (2004)
Theater by Epsom Players/Steve Bittlestone Angel of Innocence
Annie (2003)
Theater by Leatherhead Operatic society Orphan girl