★★★  Inter Act  ★★★ with Catrin Thomas

Emma:

I remember that dance was all-consuming for you (both as your passion and the time it takes up!). During your dance training at Performers, did voice work feature on your course at all?

Catrin:

Dance has definitely been all consuming for the vast majority of my life, however a passion and career like this requires it, I believe. Whilst in training at Performers, I had weekly voice work; in forms of 1-1 vocal lessons, acting through song classes, group singing classes and audition rep. classes.

Emma:

When you are working with a company that produces almost entirely voice-free productions, does that feel easier or strange, or just different?

Catrin:

Although I am musical theatre trained, I absolutely love pieces of work that focus on pure dance and storytelling through physical expression, such as my work with Matthew Bourne. It has been a shift coming back into musical theatre after a long period of working on dance productions but I have loved the challenge of Moulin Rouge, with its intense dancing, alongside complex harmony work and vocal performance elements.

Emma:

Do you sing in your current show, Moulin Rouge?

Catrin:

Yes, I sing the alto lines in our show and the ensemble play a large rôle in supporting the principals during the larger numbers, with backing vocals, etc..

Emma:

Do you do any kind of regular vocal warm-up? Is that with others, when you warm up, or on your own?

Catrin:

We have a vocal warm up every day before the show, as a company on stage. However some people do prefer to do an extra individual warm up beforehand, if they are on for a large rôle or are coming back from holiday/injury/illness, etc..

Emma:

How much free time does your schedule allow you?

Catrin:

Generally now the show is up and running and rehearsals are minimal, we have much more free time - as we aren’t required to be in the building until 5pm before a 7:30pm show or 12 noon on a matinée day for a 2:30pm show. This allows us time to rest, train outside of work, socialise with friends and family or even work other jobs.

Emma:

You must have a very healthy regime - what essentials do you need in terms of diet, sleep, etc.?

Catrin:

It can be difficult to strike a healthy balance during the craziness of shows, rehearsals and just normal life! However what I find essential is lots of sleep, hydration, a balanced diet with lots of protein and actually most importantly is finding time to unwind and recharge my social battery. Whether that be through alone time, socialising with friends and family, exercising or just doing a fun activity.

Emma:

What voices do you like/listen to?

Catrin:

I enjoy listening to a wide variety of voices/artists across many genres. I actually don’t think I could list only a few favourites, I love music in so many forms.

Emma:

Has your career so far been as you might have imagined? If not, what has been surprising?

Catrin:

If you would have told younger Catrin that she would make this passion a career, I really don’t think she would have believed you. I have always suffered with a lack of self-confidence in my ability- in all aspects of life but especially my dancing/singing/performing abilities.

I very nearly didn’t pursue this industry, as I didn’t think I was good enough and sometimes I do have to look back and remind myself how far I have come, how much I have achieved and how proud of myself I should be. I have achieved so many of my dreams already and I can only hope my career keeps being as exciting and challenging as it has been so far!

Emma:

Did you maintain your fitness (mental and/or physical) in 2020?

Catrin:

I actually felt in fantastic physical shape during 2020 as, due to our tour of ‘The Red Shoes’ being cut short, I became unemployed and essentially had nothing much else to do apart from keep myself busy by exercising. I trained online multiple times a day through yoga classes, dance classes, personal training sessions and many walks around the countryside, at home in Worcester.

My mental health did take a toll, as I felt I was suffering from an identity crisis. My passion and career was ripped from under me and I was left feeling as though I didn’t know who I was, without performing. However I am proud of myself for how determined I was throughout lockdown; I kept training and remained as positive as possible until I was able to return to work.

Emma:

What's the most challenging costume you've had to wear when dancing?

Catrin:

I have had the pleasure of wearing many amazing costumes in various shows, however the most challenging one may have to be one of the showgirl costumes from Thursford Christmas Spectacular. The massive headdresses are very heavy and only secured into place by combs placed into the hairline. They can be difficult to negotiate whilst performing the intricate choreography and trying to look as gorgeous as possible in all the feathers!

Emma:

Do you have a favourite genre of dance?

Catrin:

I have always adored jazz dance, especially dancers like Cyd Charisse, Gene Kelly, Ann Reinking.

Emma:

Any particular memories from your shows so far?

Catrin:

I have so many amazing memories from shows and the fabulous people I’ve worked with. One in particular I cherish is performing my first principal rôle with New Adventures, I was told I was being thrown on into the rôle on the day and I had not had any on-stage rehearsals or tech., prior to going on that night. It was a whirlwind day and I felt so proud of myself, performing a principal rôle is something I dreamed of since I was tiny.

Emma:

Any positive thoughts for dancers who may have had to wait/postpone training and/or work, due to the changes in the world in recent times?

Catrin:

I truly believe in ‘everything happens for a reason’. Things have happened in my career that have felt like unfair obstacles stopping me from getting something I have dreamed of and worked incredibly hard for; however, those obstacles diverted me to different paths that brought me immense amounts of joy, experience and even brought me back to the first thing I wanted when I was ready for it to happen. For aspiring dancers, I would say to try and trust the process as much as possible and be ready for any and every opportunity that comes your way. Miracles happen when preparation meets opportunity.

Emma:

Anything else you'd like to add?

Catrin:

I’d just like to say thank you for chatting with me, it’s been a pleasure to catch up and I truly appreciate you taking the time to reach out to me.

It was a joy to catch up with Catrin. Of the many helpful comments she has given, I am most heartened by her encouragement for aspirational performers to be in the moment and trust that things tend to fall out in the correct timing - which may just not be the timing you expect.

Catrin has (and always had) bucketloads of talent and a fantastic work ethic - essential starting points. Together with this are her amazing ability to learn fast, process wisely, maintain perspective and be a great person to have around.

I am grateful to her for making a gap in her schedule for us to chat and can’t wait to see what’s next for her.

Catrin can be contacted via:

Brewis Scott Associates

You can download her current list of credits:

Catrin’s credits (2023)

and here is a link to the Moulin Rouge musical:

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Catrin is also on Instagram:

Instagram: catrinthomas22

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3rd. October, 2023