Ashleigh Green – West End Kids Alumni
Where are you from?
Epsom, Surrey
Journey with West End Kids:
Blue – Red – Yellow – Purple – Troupe
When did you join West End Kids?
2016
What inspired you to audition for West End Kids?
I saw lots of their performances online and was in awe of them and what they did and I wanted to become a part of it so I decided to audition.
Performance Highlights:
What has been your favourite performance so far and why?
Definitely West End Live as the audience were all so invested in musical theatre it gave the atmosphere such an amazing buzz and energy for us to bounce off whilst performing.
Can you share a memorable moment from one of your performances?
One of the most memorable moments for me would definitely be the first year I did the Great Ormond Street Christmas Party in 2019 as it was so nice to be able to perform for everyone and seeing all the kids so happy and being able to dance with them and make them smile was so special, especially as the hospital did so much for me when I was younger as well so that will always be one of my favourite memories.
Training and Dedication:
How many hours a week do you spend rehearsing and training?
I would say I try to spend about 1 hour a night doing WEK. That could be learning new harmonies or dances, doing the notes and learning new placings or just running over old material so I don’t forget it, however each week varies depending on the amount of time I have and what’s on the weekly to do list but I always balance it out and make sure everything gets done.
What do you find most challenging and rewarding about your training?
The most challenging thing would have to be the polishing sessions and the stamina, doing the dances over and over again until they look clean and performance ready is hard sometimes as you have to find the energy to keep going and pushing through even when you start to feel tired, however the most rewarding is definitely seeing everything come together and seeing the dances look clean and unified as it’s very satisfying and fulfilling to see all our dedication pay off.
Future Aspirations:
What are your future goals in the performing arts?
I would love to perform on a cruise ship or the West End one day, I think that would be the ultimate goal.
Which role or production would you love to be a part of?
I would absolutely love to be in Hairspray and play Amber von Tussel, that’s definitely a dream role of mine! But I’d also love to be in Grease, Footloose or anything upbeat and fun.
Personal Interests:
I love to cook and bake and am always trying new recipes. I also have a huge interest in history and love to read about it in my spare time. I’m actually blind in one eye and have been since birth.
Who inspires you the most in the performing arts world?
Zizzi Strallen, Amber Ardolino, Sutton Foster
What keeps you motivated to keep improving and performing?
When I struggle to find motivation to improve or perform due to whatever reason I always think back to my younger self and remember the absolute passion I felt for performing and dancing and how I would have done anything to be up on the stage making people smile and how that was the core reason I got into musical theatre in the first place, so I always think of that and the happiness I feel whilst performing and that usually helps me to reignite the motivation to strive to be better and continue pushing.
Experience with West End Kids:
How has being a part of West End Kids impacted you?
West End Kids have had such a tremendous impact on my life, not only have I improve my technical skills in dancing and singing which helped me gain a full scholarship to a performing arts university, I think more importantly it has given me a better understanding about the industry and has allowed me to develop my mindset so that I can constantly achieve what I want through hard work and determination. Through nurturing my confidence and abilities it has allowed me to improve my weaknesses whilst also allowing my strengths to thrive and given me opportunities that are second to none, which have totally shaped me into the performer I am today.
What advice would you give to new members or those aspiring to join West End Kids?
My advice to the new members of West End Kids would be to soak everything up as much as you can. It can be tough, Martin and Emma constantly push you beyond what you think your limits are to help you reach your full potential physically and mentally, however its not often you get to train with people who are so passionate about their jobs and who always want what’s best for you, so throw yourself into the experience and embrace all the craziness even if its out of your comfort zone or you find it challenging, but most importantly remember to have fun.
