Laura’s dream job on stage and screen

‘From a very young age,’ says Laura, ‘I was fascinated with how I presented myself through my hair and makeup and I often gave friends and family makeovers whenever they came to my house. However I didn’t think I could do this for a career until my dad enlightened me about theatre and film. From that day I knew that’s all I wanted to do.’

Laura’s family have a huge love for the arts especially theatre and growing up, Laura would go to see a production at least twice a year. ‘I was always really fascinated by what went on behind the stage, half the time I’d be so distracted with my own thoughts I’d forget to watch the show.’

‘My first experience working ‘on set’ was when I was 14, for an amateur YouTube production made by my friend. I had to apply prosthetics and fake blood. Around the same time I also went to Harry Potter World which it is all about the making of the film and I was truly mesmerized.’

At 16, Laura applied to South Essex College to study an Extended Level 3 Diploma in Theatrical Hair and Makeup. She says ‘I spent the next two years having the most amazing experiences. I was surrounded by people with the same interests and goals as me and I wanted it more than ever. In the first year I covered the basics of makeup and it was more theory based. We went on day trips to places such as London Fashion week and I was encouraged to get experience out in the industry, so I volunteered in my local theatre. We finished the hectic year with an end of year show, set up as if you were working an actual theatre production.’

Then in the second year, we changed our location to the Backstage Centre at the High House Production Park in Purfleet where we were surrounded by people from the industry on a day to day basis. I helped out with filming, I watched bands such as The Foals set up for their tours and I was even an extra in a Pepsi advert.’

It was while at South Essex College that Laura first got involved with the Royal Opera House. She took part in the prestigious Royal Opera House Design Challenge, working on hair and make up for La Traviata. ‘I loved doing the Design Challenge as it encouraged me to be creative and really think about the makeup and hair I was designing! I spent countless hours completing a portfolio filled with amazing images and textiles as I wanted it to all tie in to my end look! I drew most of my pictures by hand with a few pictures found from magazines or online.’

‘I did my own take on La Traviata and brought the story into the modern world as if it was set in today's era. I then designed my makeup based on my up-to-date story. It definitely encouraged me to be where I am now because my teacher set up lessons as if we were in the industry and were a team designing an actual production. The whole class worked together to generate ideas and then we worked individually to finalise our own ideas. I don't think I'd ever heard of the Royal Opera House before the Design Challenge!’

‘Taking makeup at college I felt judged and was told by some people who didn’t really know me that makeup wasn’t a proper job. That pushed me to want to reach my goals even more, if it wasn’t for them I’m not sure I would have been so determined so I thank them. After I finished my diploma, I didn’t want to go to University and I didn’t want to stay in retail where I’d been working for the past two years. I saw an opportunity for a Wig and Makeup Apprentice advertised on the Royal Opera House website. I spent two weeks perfecting my application, went for a work trial and an interview and managed to get the place. I haven’t looked back and I’ve had the best experiences.

To find out more about apprenticeships at the Royal Opera House, please go to www.roh.org.uk/apprenticeships