Every so often it's good to take stock of where you came from and where you're going.
The other day I returned to Peer Productions to see a preview performance of their new show. Not only was it brilliant to catch up with the team there and see their amazing new show, but it was especially nice to see their new batch of talented young people taking the course. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to stick around long enough to talk to any of them but just seeing them perform was enough to give me vivid flashbacks of my time at Peer. Flashbacks implies a bad thing but nothing could be further from the truth. Eight years on I'm still pretty confident in saying that Peer Productions was the best year of my life. I grew so much that year and learnt many skills that I use constantly in the creative career; skills that haven't even been touched on in the other training.
This is starting to sound a little bit like an advert for Peer Production, and if it acts as one then that's in no way a bad thing. The main point of this blog was to take joy in your creative journey and to never forget where you came from. It might not be my journey anymore, but just to see young people starting out on their creative path is really exciting. And to watch them loving it as much as I did when I was in their position.
Enjoy every part of your development. Some bits may be good, some may be bad. For me, I found drama school more damaging than beneficial... I might actually do a blog about that at some point. But when something's good don't be afraid to share it and revisit it. Don't be possessive of your experiences.
If I could go back in time to Peer I'd do it in a heartbeat. It was a very ca-free time spent with some great friends and doing what we love every single day. but I wouldn't stay. I'm more than happy with where I've ended up and where I'm going. The things I've achieved may not be quite what I had in mind but they work perfectly for me. It's really easy to cling onto the visions you had as a child (performing on the west end, Broadway, tony awards) but once you let those things go you'll find that your own unique journey holds many exciting gifts you never even knew you were searching for.
So take a second to stop, go back, enjoy the past and then continue on your own path forward. I can't wait to see where this new group of actors end up because if it's anything like our year group, they'll go very far in many different directions.
Dan x
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