Fraser Smalley

17||Actor||Live Presenter||Pro Kayaker||[email protected]||SC:kayakfraser||#teamfraser||

My passion for acting has always been there. I learned about discipline, drive, enthusiasm and dedication after watching the London Olympics. I had dabbled in kayaking and sat down to watch the canoe slalom. We won gold and silver, that was it. I took to social media and got onto a Legacy Project. It started slowly, but with total discipline, complete focus, and zero social life, I progressed into GB Canoeings' Junior Squad System. I have competed Europe-wide. How does this relate drama? I learned you get out what you put in. I put everything into kayaking and it leaked into my whole life. Suddenly, I could apply myself to my other passion, drama. I got a script, I learned it faster and more accurately than my peers. My school work improved and people noticed. I took on parts previously beyond me. Suddenly, I could conquer anything. At some point, I knew I would have to make a choice. My choice is acting. I call it my religion. Starting at Primary School, I attended Stageworks Drama School and a Street Dance Group. At secondary school I joined Open Stage who merged with a renowned, highly respected local group, Spotlight Productions. I was asked to join Scare UK who run live, interactive horror events. A different experience to the general Stanislavski Techniques used on stage. Improvisation is something I had backed away from, but now my skills have improved as everything is live, no script and literally anything can happen, and does. Going back to the kayaking. Could I merge this with acting? I asked if I could commentate at a British Open Event and was eagerly given the opportunity. I wasn't ready for the positive response, or the enjoyment I got. I was then asked to live commentate at the Canoe Slalom World Championships in London and on discussion with the Producer, they got me in front of the camera to live host. This opened more doors and lead to me being asked to join the World Renowned 'Great Big Events' Company. I have now worked on several prestigious events, most recently live hosting the Euro Aquatics Champs at the Olympic Park. Working with GBE has been a challenging and rewarding opportunity. I learned so much from these events including conducting myself in a professional manner, through production and direction to improvisation and a great deal of quick thinking. It's not been easy to juggle school with kayaking, theater productions and commentary work, but I have learned about time management, dedication and hard work. GCSE's were particularly hard as written work was a struggle. I am at my best when practical application is required and this is why Drama School is the best option. GCSE drama was an eye opener. I was really unaware of how much practitioners such as Brecht and Stanislavski influence modern drama. I hadn't really thought about this before. After studying 'The Good Person of Szechwan' I found that I particularly and consistently enjoyed Brechtian Techniques. This carried on into A level studying 'The 39 Steps'. I carried out research from watching the film to seeing the performance on Tour. For the first time, I found myself pointing out Brechtian techniques. This helped massively when we came to perform the piece as I took a directing role and used the techniques in our adaptation of the play. I am intrigued to be studying Antigone next year as it is the first time I will be given the opportunity to study and explore classical theater. I have been in Shakespearean productions but never truly studied them and personally, I believe that classical techniques and ideas are what make a good actor. Going to watch live theater certainly drives the passion, be it a West End production such as The Book of Mormon or a Shakespearean Romantic Comedy such as the Two Gentlemen of Verona. Live theater in Cinema, whilst not getting the chest thumping, goosepimply feeling I get from live actors, certainly does help with study and broadening the artistic horizons!

Demographics
Male, 25 years old

Location
Cambridge, England, GB

Website
https://www.facebook.com/frasersmalleyofficial/

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