Interview of the Month – Leah Egan

Tuesday, July 1st, 2014 at 10:00 am | News & Events

Leah Egan graduated from the Gaiety School of Acting Full Time Acting Course in June 2012. She currently appears as Louise Doyle in RTE’s Fair City alongside fellow GSA grads, Richard McWilliams (Class of 2010), Rachel Carson Pilkington (Class of 1995) and Amilia Clarke Stewart (Class of 2013). She also plays the part of Alanna Ní Ruairc in TG4’s Ros NaRun. Other recent credits include Martha in Any Other Dublin (Dead Medium Productions), Hermine in All Hell Lay Beneath (Sugarglass Theatre Company) and Signature, as part of CoisCéim’s Creative Steps initiative. Leah is co-founder of Dagda Theatre Company. She directed and co-wrote (alongside Clódagh Smith) their pilot production–Art agus an Leabhar Draíochta which appeared in Smock Alley Theatre and, most recently, had the privilege of directing Art agus an Liosta Nollag.

1. Did you always want to work in the theatre/acting business?

When I was younger my mother carted me everywhere – ballet, tap, music, speech and drama, you name it! I always knew I loved performing but t it didn’t dawn on me that I could make a living (out of having fun) until I was 16. Up until then, I had thought of it solely as a pastime. Then, when I was 16, I was just about to step out on stage in my Transition Year musical and thought – “Man, wouldn’t it be unreal if I could do this for a living? Ok. That’s that then. I’m doing this for a living.”

2. How did you start off in the business?

As Chicken Licken in an end-of-year drama showcase. Followed shortly by my first big break – a national pantomime tour of Cinderella, in which I gave a stellar performance as Fluffy, the Cat.  It was magic.

3. Any tips for aspiring actors?

Be open to experiences and opportunities. Too often actors have tunnel vision as to what their “path” should be – be that a particular agent, a particular job. Be open. And the possibilities will come.

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

The friendships you find there.  The Gaiety heads are there when the going gets ROUGH. 

5. Favourite actor?

It changes daily. Marianne Cotillard. Michael Fassbender. Closer to home, Fiona Bell. Too many to mention.

6. Favourite writer?
John O’ Donohue

7. Favourite play?

A Nun’s Wood by Pat Kinevane

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

Roald Dahl. No lie! I envied Quentin Blake’s job with the fire of a thousand suns.

9. Earliest memory?

My brain alternates between me and my little brother re-enacting WWF, cutting my fringe (diabolically) or else me performing my one-hit wonder “My Little Pony” in front of my entire family. Loud and proud. An original composition of which I’m still irreparably proud. (“My Little Pony has some haaaaaaaaay…..”) J

10. What would be your idea of the perfect day?

Up at the crack of dawn and out into the world for a run. (A bit of a psychopath, me). Back to a whopping breakfast, in the sun, with fancy-pants tea and a cracking book. Spend the rest of the morning on set or doing script work. Late afternoon basketball with friends, if there’s time. Dinner in Cornucopia. Then… chill out in a massive home made cinema and watch a proper film, none of this chick flick business. All of that with all of my favourite people. Result!  

Fair City Cast 2014

Check out our other Alumni interviews here

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