Lanya is in her third year of Mountview’s BA Acting course. She attended classes at our old building in Wood Green as part of our Engage programme, which is now called Generation Next.
‘I’ve always been a quiet person and didn’t have a lot of friends as a child, but acting and music helped me express myself. After taking part in drama workshops led by Mountview at my school in Tottenham, I started attending Mountview’s Engage programme (now called Generation Next) with full bursary support.
As soon as I started classes, I knew I wanted to study at Mountview after finishing school. People tried to encourage me to have a back-up plan, but I knew it was for me. I was so happy when I was offered a place on the BA Acting course!
Professions like acting aren’t seen as accessible for a lot of people, especially for minorities. That’s why I want to use my career to show people in Tottenham what they can do. I want black kids watching me perform to be able to say ‘hey, that’s me!’.
Without my bursary to take part, I wouldn’t be acting now. If you support Generation Next you’re not just investing in a programme, you’re investing in the lives of people like me.’