Sometimes people ask about now-famous people who used to go to Theatretrain. I tell them, but I think what about the large number of people who now work in the performing arts business but aren’t what you call famous? One of them is Katie Jones, who was a student at our company on the Isle of Wight from 2003 to 2008. She is now the Youth Coordinator at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton. I caught up with her recently and asked her about her performing life.
Kevin: Did you learn important skills at Theatretrain?
Katie: Theatretrain really helped to push me and allow me to express myself how I wanted to. I always wanted to learn lines and songs, and choir moves quickly. In my career, I have had to learn a lot of material at speed. I learnt a work ethos and took that into my work.
Kevin: Do you think it’s important to encourage boys to go to classes?
Katie: Definitely. More are coming through now because of amazing role models. It’s great to see as there weren’t so many in the past.
Kevin: In Theatretrain, we make a big deal about half of the year learning skills and technique, and the other half working on a show. Do you think both are important?
Katie: Parents love to see their children perform. It’s a mixture of learning skills and perfecting the craft before you showcase what you can do. I loved the shows I got to perform in, whether they were local or in London. I gained so much in the buildup. I put that in my professional work.
Kevin: What has been your proudest professional moment in the business?
Katie: I have to split this as it covers different industry areas. I’ve been lucky to work in both the commercial and musical theatre industries.
- Making music videos in Malta with incredible creatives and directors over the years when I was in a girlband called Monroe. I felt very lucky to work with the people that I did in that project, and signing to a label and reaching number 1 on the commercial charts.
- Recording a 10-hour recording session for a kids YouTube series. It was the most exhausted I’d ever been on a job, but I loved every minute.
- Performing songs that Tim Rice had written in front of the man himself.
- Getting to perform around the world – as far as Beijing!
- Getting to write and pitch K-pop songs.
- Creating synth pop tracks called Kabelle with musicians around the world during the pandemic.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible creatives in a lot of areas in both industries. Networking and collaborating are key in this business. Theatretrain actually gave me my first recording job, where I recorded some music for companies, which inspired me to continue working in studios.
It all stems from that, and I will always be grateful for my parents finding it and the head start the Isle of Wight team gave me. Julie and Steve Caudle are amazing company directors and are still running the centre to this day. I will always be grateful for the opportunities they gave me.
