London born actress Sophia Lewis began her acting career at the tender age of 10. The 25-year-old is currently starring in the hit theatre production Glasgow Girls with Pachamama Productions and the National Theatre of Scotland.
The musical, she says, is “packed with passion and drive”. Glasgow Girls recently toured Belfast, performing at The Mac and receiving high critical praise.
Get To Know More About Sophia:
How did you get started in the industry?
“I began acting with a theatre company in London from the age of 10 and continued from there!”
What genre/style do you create in?
“I don’t have a specific genre I work in, but I love a really strong piece of drama.”
What would you be best known for?
“Glasgow Girls!”
What would you consider your biggest achievement?
“For me my biggest achievement is that I’ve tackled two goals in my life – to study history at university and to become a professional actress.”
What would you consider to be the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your industry?
“To always keep yourself engaged and never stop honing your skills and refining your craft. You can always work harder!”
What has been your biggest challenge to date?
“To face rejection in this industry is never easy. But I’ve learnt to take every no as another step towards that big yes.”
Tell us a little about your personal life, are you married, kids, hobbies etc?
“Away from my job I like to keep busy with my friends and family. Sometimes with this job you’re away or pretty busy so I always make sure I have time to hang out with the people I love the most.”
Tell us about your most recent work?
“I’m currently on tour with “Glasgow Girls”, a show in production with Pachamama Productions and the National Theatre of Scotland. It’s an incredible true story about seven young school girls from Glasgow who fight for the rights of asylum seeking refugees and take their fight to the highest levels of Parliament and the Government all over the UK. It’s a musical packed with passion and drive and a wonderful mix of culturally inspired music from all over the world.”
PLUG !! What would you like us to tell people about?
“The show is currently touring through Belfast at The MAC theatre. We would love it if people came along to check out the show!”
If you had to describe your work to someone who has never heard of you what would you say?
“If people have never heard of the Glasgow Girls before I will always tell them to take a moment to understand this story. As it’s not just about these girls saving their friend, it’s so much more! It’s about the importance of justice and community spirit. It’s about what can happen when people come together with one aim and what you can achieve with sheer perseverance.”
What’s the funniest experience you’ve had in your business?
“I think the funniest thing for me is when you just have the worst audition you can possibly imagine. For example, the time I forgot nearly all my words to a song and started making them up instead! Safe to say both my elf and the production team laughed me out of the room!”
What would your advice be to young people hoping to pursue the same industry?
“This is an industry where the more work you put into it the more you get out. So, never stop! There is always another door you can open or another skill you can acquire. It can be tough at times and no actor will deny that. But at the same time it’s so worth all the hard effort when you are standing on that stage showing that wonderful audience what you love to do.”
Anything else you want to tell people about yourself or your work?
“I would love people know get to know our wonderful production company Pachamama Productions, our amazing director Cora Bisset and all the incredible cast and crew who have put their efforts into this amazing piece of work. I am so grateful to have been part of this journey. It’s something I now hold very dear to my heart.”
Who do you look up to and why?
“Now, I know this might be a cliché but the people I look up to the most in my life are my amazing parents. My dad is the most hard working business man I have ever met and my mum is the most unbelievably compassionate, kind and loving woman! They most have traits which I aspire too and I love them for all the incredible support they have given me.”
Find out more:
www.corabissett.co.uk/pachamama