Alumna Interview With Dawn Bradfield

Sunday, November 29th, 2015 at 12:53 pm | Alumni Interviews, News & Events

Dawn graduated from The Gaiety School of Acting in 1992 and since has had an expansive career in film, television and theatre. She is currently appearing in The Gate Theatre’s production of The Gigli Concert by Tom Murphy, which runs until the 21st of November.

Did you always want to work in the film/acting business?

I didn’t particularly want to be in film but I wanted to be an actor from a very early age. I loved the notion of being someone else and telling someone else’s story.

How did you start off in the business?

It all began with The Gaiety School of Acting! Patrick Sutton, was the director of TEAM Theatre Co at the time. He auditioned the whole class for their up-coming show and three of us from the class of ‘92 got parts. I spent six months travelling around schools in the back of a van, putting up sets, doing 2 shows, taking down sets and workshopping with schoolkids. It was like the fit-ups of old and It was the best grounding in the business I could have asked for.

Any tips for aspiring actors/film makers?

Mindmapping is a wonderful thing! I wish someone had invented it back in 1991! Be clear about what you want from the business, have a plan and have a back-up plan!

What did you like most about being at The Gaiety School of Acting?

I loved having the freedom to play, to take a character and create, without fear or favour. I had some amazing classmates, some of them were already fully formed performers even at that early stage.

Favourite actor?

I love them all! I tend to have favourite performances, rather than favourite actors. Lia Williams in Streetcar at The Gate in 2012 was flawless. Cillian Murphy and Eileen Walsh in the Theatre production of Disco Pigs.

Favourite writer?

Marina Carr. If you want gutsy, real, dirty, full bodied female characters. Nobody writes them like Marina.

Favourite film?

Cinema Paradiso. I’m tired of giving this answer and I tried to come up with a better one, but nothing raises my spirits and restores my faith in humanity like Cinema Paradiso.

Who has been the most influential person in your life so far?

My parents.

Earliest memory?

Wearing a motor cycle helmet! I was about 3 years old and I was sitting on the step outside my house. People passing by were laughing and pointing. I remember thinking “I have them all fooled, they all think I have a motor bike”. It was my first acting role!

What would be your idea of the perfect day?

My perfect day is the last day of rehearsals. After four weeks of rehearsal know our lines, our characters and our arcs and the next piece of the puzzle is to put the whole product into the perspective of a live show. Exciting times!!

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