SMITHILLS alumni
𝐊𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲
After leaving Smithills I went to Bury College studying Performing Arts and got a Distinction Merit. I then got into UCLAN in Preston studying music theatre and graduated in 2020 with a 2:1.
Throughout College I was working at a restaurant seasonally as an elf at Christmas and Alice in wonderland at Easter. Between my first and second year at uni I got a job as a character and parade performer at Disneyland Paris.
Since graduating uni I have worked in retail as covid had shut all theatres. I am now a cast member for Haven holidays.
A lot of people in my life have always said I will never make it apart from one and that was Mr Milthorpe. He pushed me in school to be my best and it’s thanks to his kindness that I am where I am. He has always supported me even to this day. I now have the confidence to just be myself on and off stage.
Nicole Davies, one of our past pupils visited us to give us an insight into her current successful career working within the performing arts industry. Nicole said that she found the subjects she was really passionate about was GCSE Music, Dance and Drama. Nicole performed in many of our school productions and events such as pantomimes like ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and musicals like ‘Annie.’ Nicole also performed in Smithills School Brass and Concert Band touring countries such as Belgium and Ireland with her flute and Tenor Horn and was our Head Girl and being part of the school council.
Nicole went onto study full time performing arts at Bury College, leaving with Distinction. Nicole has since been lucky to work with BBC Bitesize as a voice over animation artist, lending her voice to a character in their new educational series ‘Castles and Knights.’ Nicole has since been successful in gaining a professional contract with the company, Merlin, working on their new stage production at Alton Towers which will then go onto her being a lead actor in their Scarefest event. We wish her all the success with her future adventures, our pupils thoroughly enjoyed your talks today about your education, training and working within the industry.
Like Kaitlin and Nicole, if you are an ex-pupil of Smithills School and wouldn't mind sharing your journey after Smithills (what you are up to now), we would love to hear from you. Email Mr Abbott - r.abbott@smithillsschool.net