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For a time last year, Posy Sterling was keeping a big secret. Not only was she starring in a play at the National Theatre on London’s Southbank, she was also popping next door to the BFI for interviews and photoshoots as part of Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow. ‘It was incredibly exciting, but also challenging,’ says Posy. ‘I had to keep it all a secret and couldn’t tell a soul until the news was released!’
Posy has loved performing from a young age, and her passion for the theatre began at two Harborough-based clubs. Market Harborough Youth Theatre and Parsnips, a drama group run from Harborough Theatre. ‘When I was 13, I started working with the wonderful Claire Parsons at Parsnips,’ says Posy. ‘In fact, I did my work experience placement with Claire and that certainly sparked my passion for teaching and for acting.’ At 18, Posy had a summer job at Peaker Park residential care home, when a request was made that would cement Posy’s future career path. ‘I’ll never forget when my wonderful manager, the late Sheila Naisbitt, asked me to sing for the residents,’ says Posy. ‘I’d been in a show with MHYT called We’ll Meet Again where we learned songs from the 1940’s. I sang as the residents ate their dinner. There was an elderly lady with advanced dementia who no longer spoke, but as she listened to the songs, she started singing all the words. It showed me how healing and magical creativity and performance can truly be for the mind, body and soul.’ It was during a vocational musical theatre course in Cambridge that Posy decided that acting might be her future. ‘I always thought I wanted to be a musical theatre performer,’ says Posy. ‘But my two incredible acting teachers, Mel MacHugh and Claire Cox, said I should seriously consider a straight acting school. I genuinely didn’t know that was a possibility. I absolutely fell in love with acting and it became more clear that this was where I was meant to be. There is a connection to acting that goes beyond ‘performing’. It’s about people. The psychology of it, why we are the way we are, transforming difficult life experiences (and beautiful ones) and channelling it into the work.’ After graduating, Posy began to work with the Clean Break theatre company, touring across the country. ‘I was in a play called Sweatbox where I was playing a heavily pregnant woman locked in a prison van on her way from court to prison,’ says Posy. ‘We toured for a year, performing to crown court judges, prison officers in prisons, the general public outside The Royal Court and other theatres around the UK. On the third renewal of the tour, Covid hit, and after one performance the whole tour was cancelled. That wasn’t the end, though. It was such an important story to tell that it was funded to be made into a short film. The film follows three women on their way from court to prison, highlighting the number of children who go into care every year from parental incarceration. Sweatbox was my first professional screen acting job. It began my transition from theatre to TV and film as Lucy Pardee, the casting director for Lollipop, saw the film on YouTube.’ Lollipop is the story of a young mother, recently released from prison, who struggles to regain custody of her two children. ‘As soon as I read the script for Lollipop I was right there with the character, Molly, and knew I had to be a part of it,’ explains Posy. ‘It is an important story for me as I learned a lot about the criminal justice system, and the care system, through my work with Clean Break. ‘It was a truly magical experience to work with everyone involved. The writer and director on Lollipop, Daisy-May Hudson, has made something truly special and I cannot wait for the world to see this beautiful and harrowing story that is filled with love, joy and hope.’ It was through her work on Lollipop that Posy was selected as one of Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow. ‘Lucy Pardee sent the most heartfelt letter to Screen International, explaining why she thought I should be considered for the cohort,’ explains Posy. ‘Although Lollipop still hasn’t been released, Screen International were able to watch the film thanks to the hugely supportive production office. It seemed Screen International agreed with Lucy! ‘The event itself was a bit of a blur. It was all very exciting and overwhelming, but I’ve now met some incredibly talented individuals. One of the things I have loved most about my experience is how collaborative and supportive everyone is to one another.’ As well as establishing a promising and exciting career in film, Posy has founded Screen School, a series of workshops for children (and adults) to express themselves and grow in confidence in front of the camera. ‘Whether or not you want to peruse acting as a career, Screen School is the place to help you achieve confidence,’ says Posy. ‘Our courses are designed to maximise your chances of getting professional work. The success rate for attendees getting signed with agents is incredibly high, as well as getting big industry auditions’ Screen School is also for those who might not want to pursue acting as a career but are searching out other creative roles within the industry. ‘The skills you learn are transferable for all walks of life,’ explains Posy. ‘It’s all about getting to know yourself better, love and celebrate who you are, build confidence, communication and collaboration with others. We have a very high number of SEND students because the sessions are tailored to suit everyone. I’m neurodivergent myself, so the sessions are delivered in a SEND friendly environment. I created Screen School because, essentially, I wanted to create the space for young people that I wish I’d had growing up. It’s important to create bridges to the industry outside of big cities and create opportunities. The talent in this town is outstanding.’ Posy hopes that, with funding, Screen School may go on to make professional work, telling stories for film and TV. ‘I’d like to create more opportunities, scholarship spaces and outreach sessions to organisations,’ says Posy. ‘My hope is that the community will grow, through volunteers and participants, and we can activate some real positive change in the mental health sector, creating access to more creative career paths.’ Posy’s next project is Anton Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard at London’s Donmar Warehouse, where she will be playing Dunyasha from 26th April. ‘The play has a very exciting and talented cast – we are having an amazing time!’ says Posy. For tickets head to: booking.donmarwarehouse.com and for Screen School head to: screenschooluk.com |
Issue 21
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