Ali and Unique respond to listeners' questions.If you found this episode helpful let us know. If you have more topics you want us to cover, or guests you want to hear from get in touch with us on Instagram @GEN_ARTS or message us below.During the episode we discuss getting into acting as a new or aspiring actor. These opportunities and organisations might be helpful:Get Into TheatreLondon BubbleYoung VicRoundhouse ProjectsStratford East Young CompanyAlmeidaKiln TheatreRoyal Central School of Speech & Drama GAP Year Diploma Brixton HouseLyric HammersmithSend us a Text Message with your thoughts about our podcast or ideas for future episodesEmail: actingstrong@generationarts.org.ukwww.actingstrong.comSocial Media:@ActingStrongInstagram: @GEN_ARTSFacebook & X: @GenerationArtsProduced & Edited by: Ali GodfreyActing Strong is brought to you by Generation Arts and sponsored by the Royal Central School of Speech and Dramawww.generationarts.org.ukwww.cssd.ac.uk

Award-winning choreographer, dancer, and director Jennifer Irons shares her journey from immigrant beginnings in London to becoming a trailblazer in the world of contemporary dance and theatre. In this episode, Jennifer reveals how her experience as an outsider has profoundly influenced her work and led her to defy traditional expectations in the dance industry. From large-scale stadium performances to commercial music videos, and her own one-woman show, Jennifer's story is one of grit, resilience, and refusing to follow the conventional path. Plus, get a glimpse into the challenges she faces in every project (dead cat moments) and how she overcame the biggest challenge of her life to perform her gruelling Edinburgh Fringe show. Hosts & Guests:Ali Godfrey (Host)Unique Spencer (Host)Jennifer Irons (Guest)We want to hear from you!  Tell us what you want to hear in our special Q&A Episode on 6.9.24.  Send us your questions or topic ideas:- DM us on Instagram @GEN_ARTS- Click the link below to message us- Text the show 07441 371403- Comment on our socialsSend us a Text Message with your thoughts about our podcast or ideas for future episodesEmail: actingstrong@generationarts.org.ukwww.actingstrong.comSocial Media:@ActingStrongInstagram: @GEN_ARTSFacebook & X: @GenerationArtsProduced & Edited by: Ali GodfreyActing Strong is brought to you by Generation Arts and sponsored by the Royal Central School of Speech and Dramawww.generationarts.org.ukwww.cssd.ac.uk

Hayley Konadu is an actor, and facilitator who recently starred as Flo Bones in Lockwood & Co (Netflix) and has worked on screen and theatre, as well as extensively as an facilitator and assistant director with young people and in arts education settings.  In this richly authentic conversation with Ali and Unique, Hayley discusses the process of auditioning and being cast as Flo Bones in Netflix's smash hit Lockwood & Co.  She opens up about the realities of coping with massive success followed by rejection, and how kindness and staying grounded support her mental well-being.  Hayley offers practical wisdom and advice for any aspiring and beginning actor and her resilience and realness shine through. Hosts & Guests:Ali Godfrey (Host)Unique Spencer (Host)Hayley Konadu (Guest)Send us a Text Message with your thoughts about our podcast or ideas for future episodesEmail: actingstrong@generationarts.org.ukwww.actingstrong.comSocial Media:@ActingStrongInstagram: @GEN_ARTSFacebook & X: @GenerationArtsProduced & Edited by: Ali GodfreyActing Strong is brought to you by Generation Arts and sponsored by the Royal Central School of Speech and Dramawww.generationarts.org.ukwww.cssd.ac.uk

Chetna Pandya is an Actor, Director, Producer and Creative advocate, most recently known to many for her role as Coach Singh in Heartstopper (Netflix) and for her extensive acting career in TV shows such as The Trouble with Maggie Cole, This Way Up, Feel Good and Black Mirror. She has worked nationally and internationally across stage, television, film & radio performing with Complicité, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court Theatre and BBC Radio Drama to name a few.In this conversation Chetna passionately advocates for access to the arts, sharing insights into her own experiences growing up, and how meaningful socio-economic diversity and inclusion can affect change.Chetna discusses how she has found the resilience to overcome barriers in her 22-year career in a changing industry, and shares her personal mindset for how to remain true to oneself as a professional artist. Hosts & Guests:Ali Godfrey (Host)Unique Spencer (Host)Chetna Pandya (Guest)Send us a Text Message with your thoughts about our podcast or ideas for future episodesEmail: actingstrong@generationarts.org.ukwww.actingstrong.comSocial Media:@ActingStrongInstagram: @GEN_ARTSFacebook & X: @GenerationArtsProduced & Edited by: Ali GodfreyActing Strong is brought to you by Generation Arts and sponsored by the Royal Central School of Speech and Dramawww.generationarts.org.ukwww.cssd.ac.uk

Ace Ruele is a leading motion capture film and video games actor, and founder of Creature Bionics. In this conversation he discusses his extraordinary journey from 4.5 years in prison, through to acting in Hollywood movies, TV and commercials and more recently developing a world-leading company which is transforming how the film industry approaches motion capture, animal and creature work. Ace shares his personal philosophy about how he has maintained his remarkable positive attitude across a range of challenges, and transformed his life and career through perseverance and a growth mindset.  Ace is truly an inspiration and role model for anyone wanting to progress and succeed.More details about Creature Bionics and Ace's work: creaturebionics.comHosts & Guests:Ali Godfrey (Host)Unique Spencer (Host)Ace Ruele (Guest)Send us a Text Message with your thoughts about our podcast or ideas for future episodesEmail: actingstrong@generationarts.org.ukwww.actingstrong.comSocial Media:@ActingStrongInstagram: @GEN_ARTSFacebook & X: @GenerationArtsProduced & Edited by: Ali GodfreyActing Strong is brought to you by Generation Arts and sponsored by the Royal Central School of Speech and Dramawww.generationarts.org.ukwww.cssd.ac.uk

Ira Mandela Siobhan is a leading Actor, Dancer and Movement Director, and joins Ali and Unique directly from final rehearsals for The Grapes of Wrath at the National Theatre where he is Movement Director.  In this conversation Ira shares personal insights into his childhood growing up as the only Black kid at school, moving from the basketball court into dance training, and how his path led him to starring on stage with DV8, Shakespeare's Globe, on the West End, working with Tom Cruise and improvising scene ideas with Ryan Reynolds and Margot Robbie on the Barbie movie. At every step on his journey Ira has found courage and resilience to challenge himself and put his creative ideas and goals out there, and he shares the methods behind his work ethic with Ali and Unique. More details about Ira's masterclasses: https://www.iramandela.com Hosts & Guests:Ali Godfrey (Host)Unique Spencer (Host)Ira Mandela Siobhan (Guest)Send us a Text Message with your thoughts about our podcast or ideas for future episodesEmail: actingstrong@generationarts.org.ukwww.actingstrong.comSocial Media:@ActingStrongInstagram: @GEN_ARTSFacebook & X: @GenerationArtsProduced & Edited by: Ali GodfreyActing Strong is brought to you by Generation Arts and sponsored by the Royal Central School of Speech and Dramawww.generationarts.org.ukwww.cssd.ac.uk