Spotlight on Aasiya Shah
Actor and Theatre-maker

Tell us a bit about yourself. How did you get to where you are right now?

I’m Aasiya, I’m an actor and theatre-maker from Chingford. I went to Rushcroft Sports College which is now South Chingford Foundation. I did a BTEC in acting at West London College in Hammersmith and then started taking classes and workshops at the Lyric Hammersmith where I shyly auditioned (on an open call out) for Tipping the Velvet directed by the great Lyndsey Turner. That was my first professional gig and I got my first agent from that show. If it wasn’t for the Lyric and all the brilliant people working there to make it an accessible safe and creative space - where I felt I intrinsically belonged - I have no idea how I would have got my foot in that (figuratively) big old crusty door.

You are one of two residents who are travelling up to the Edinburgh Fringe this year as part of Waltham Forest’s Edinburgh Festival Experience initiative, alongside Soho Theatre. Can you tell us a little bit about what you’ll be doing and what are you looking forward to?

Yes, so every Thursday Mia and I go to the Soho Theatre and sit in on the Edinburgh Lab which is essentially a crash course for taking a show up there. We learn about all the things you wouldn’t think about (i.e getting the actual measurements/dimensions of your actual venue space and mark those out on the floor in rehearsals!!! doink!) or (insurance! yikes!!!) We’ll be heading up to Edinburgh for a few days to inhale as many shows as possible. I’m looking forward to seeing comedian Mat Ewins who I saw on my own at my very first fringe and watched again the next night again on my own and it was the best thing ever. I just said again twice. Also looking forward to taking a gamble and watching stuff that I wouldn’t perhaps normally choose to see, expand my horizons. But of course I’d also like to catch some of the highly recommended stuff too which in the past I haven’t always managed because of money or time or both. We’ll then be feeding back on what we see and how we feel about them as well as meeting and talking to creators up there.

What’s the thing that excites you most about being an artist?

The discovery of those mysterious things that come from within us. How all that stuff; our experiences, our relationships, sounds we hear, a dream - can be drawn upon and translated, sometimes transformed into something true and beautiful or ugly and compelling or all of it! It’s a mystery how it’s all just there, stored in some way and it’s extremely fun to play with. Making ideas come to life, whether done solo or collaboratively is basically magic.

Do you think the creative industries are important? If so, why? Can you perhaps describe the impact the arts has had on you as an individual?

Yes, extremely. Without it my life would be dry biscuits. Number 1 it has given me a career. I’ll stop numbering now because it’ll get long but ultimately having access to the arts makes my life full. It’s the song I play to get me ready for meetings or to embody a character, it’s the play I see that shows me both my own humanity and that of someone I think I despise. It’s the minute details in a painting that makes my jaw drop and my head ache - in a good way! It’s all a gift. Life can be dark sometimes, the elements that the arts provide a life are like twinkling light. Not to be corny but it’s true. And then to be a part of it all and having a go at bringing something to light and then to share that with others, is a beautiful and vital thing. It’s love.

Imagine a politician or funding body tells you that creative roles aren’t important and are unsustainable. What would you say to them to change their mind?

I’d say throw your devices in a fire and you are banned from having any senses. No - but I’d urge them to see how much opportunity and simple human connection emerges from the sector. People are intrinsically creative, therefore they want to make stuff and those who might not fancy making, appreciate by seeing and sharing. To have people aligned like that, with their own intrinsic creativity or by proxy is not only a nice thing, but it’s our right. Bringing people together and making them reflect and connect with one another is kind of what it’s all about. It’s fruitful. It’s culture and it can leave behind beautiful evidence of our existence for future generations to pour over and if not something physically tangible then a shared memory or a memories passed on through story. It’s invaluable.

If there is any advice you could give to your 16 year old self, what would it be?

I would say make stuff starting right now. It doesn’t have to be good. You don’t even necessarily need to show anyone. Don’t be shy or too cool. You have access to rooms (at college, at the lyric) get some people you like from class together in a room and devise the hell out of it. Get in the *habit* of just playing - especially whilst you have the space in reach. Space is gold! These people are your peers, act with them direct them act for them write for them have them write for you dance do whatever you want but don’t wait. Just ask and try. Later down the line know that all that playing will have been honing and practice.

Finally, you recently helped form Third Space alongside a group of other Waltham Forest creatives. Can you tell us a bit about this and why spaces and support for creatives is important?

It can be isolating sometimes, especially in quieter periods. To have a place where you can air out thoughts, share suggestions and even materialise ideas is so exciting. Ultimately it’s support. Many of us do different things, want different things and I think it’s going to be brilliant to serve one another using all of our unique skills and abilities. Many doors in the creative industries can feel like they’re bolted shut or at least have an anvil or some other stupidly heavy item on the other side of it, so to find ways to build our arts journeys/ careers ourselves, together, feels so beautiful and in many ways an act of protest. I’m not on social media at all so building connections in this way is so special to me and feels rare. I’ve already found a mentor in the group, Foxy, who is a director and who I’ll be meeting with monthly to get support to make steps in hopefully moving in that direction. Amazing! I really look forward to paying that kindness forward.