What does International Women’s Day mean to you? Why do you feel that it is important to recognise the day?

International Women’s Day shows how far we’ve come and the steps still being made by women today. It allows us to reflect on those who came before us who fought for us to have rights, freedom and opportunity. Without these women I (we) would not have had the opportunities, nor the life or career I (we) have today. For me, that’s huge.

The story of Wicked is centred around strong women. Why do you think this resonates so strongly with audiences all over the world?

Often the stories in shows have been centred around men. Wicked is different. It is centred around two strong women. It gives women a voice on such a wonderful platform. They were no longer the maid, the damsel in distress or the love interest. Wicked amplifies women’s voices, real women, who are coming of age. It resonates because there are so many themes and messages, always stand up for what you believe in, never judge a book by its cover, friendship, trust, prejudice tolerance, corruption. There seems to be something that we can relate to in Elphaba or Glinda or both. Yes they are fictional characters, but they have real themes and layers attached to them, that we all can understand and connect with.

How does it feel to play such an inspiring and inspirational character? What do you think your character’s best characteristics are?

I hold this show in high regard, it’s wonderfully written and I feel honoured to play Elphaba. She’s everything we want people in this world to be. Someone who wants the best for people. Someone who fights the good fight. Heart, her power, her feistiness. I love it. I would say I most resonate with Elphaba. The obvious part is being a black woman and growing up being the minority. I would say personality wise, I share being a private person, I’m driven, stand up for what’s right. I have moments of Glinda, but don’t we all.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

I always say it, the first woman I knew, my mum. She paved the way and showed me many others throughout history who are inspirational, from Rosa Parks and Harriet Tubman, to present inspirations of Misty Copeland and Laverne Cox. These women before and in-between are just phenomenal.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given and what advice would you pass on?

The process has a purpose. Meaning sometimes we don’t understand why we haven’t attained something yet, or why aren’t things going the way you think that they should. But going through the process, lays the foundation for the end goal to have an even better outcome. It builds you. It reminds me of this quote, “If you can’t describe the process, you don’t know what you’re doing”. It’s sometimes uncomfortable, but remember pressure makes diamonds. Great things come from trusting the process.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? Why do you feel that it is important to recognise the day?

It is so important to celebrate International Women’s Day because our foundations are built on the shoulders of strong women. Women who have fought tirelessly for our rights, for our freedom of speech, breaking boundaries so that we are seen and respected as equals in todays society.

The story of Wicked is centred around strong women. Why do you think this resonates so strongly with audiences all over the world?

The message of Wicked is inspirational, especially how it celebrates two strong women at the forefront of its story, who are accepted and included for their own individuality. This resonates deeply with audiences, because it shows compassion and understanding, no matter who you are and where you come from, in the most beautiful way possible.

How does it feel to play such an inspiring and inspirational character? What do you think your character’s best characteristics are?

It is not lost on me how blessed I am to be playing such an iconic role such as Glinda. She has a larger than life infectious energy and ultimately wants to bring out the best in people, especially in her best friend Elphaba. Glinda always sees the positive and good in life. She finds her inner strength, with Elphaba’s help, allowing her to grow and feel empowered as a woman.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

Two women that inspire me greatly are my Mum and my Grandma. Love, compassion and strength radiates from them. Through their life experiences, their findings, they have shaped the proud woman I am today.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given and what advice would you pass on?

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is that everything that makes me unique, is my strength, no-one else is Me. I always give my best in everything I do, and that will be enough, because I am enough. Your uniqueness is your superpower and no-one can take that away from you.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? Why do you feel that it is important to recognise the day?

It’s a day to acknowledge female empowerment. It’s an opportunity for us all to unite and be proud of the women in our lives, celebrate their achievements and draw inspiration from them.

The story of Wicked is centred around strong women. Why do you think this resonates so strongly with audiences all over the world?

It’s because these characters are so relatable. Everyone can watch the show and can put themselves in the shoes of either Glinda, Elphaba or Nessarose. We’ve all had a best friend, felt betrayed, fallen in love or felt like an outsider, and Wicked encapsulates this all so perfectly.

How does it feel to play such an inspiring and inspirational character? What do you think your character’s best characteristics are?

It’s a dream come true to play Glinda, who is such a beautifully complex character. At the start of the show she seems a bit obnoxious and self-centred, but throughout the story we see her grow and through her friendship and sisterhood with Elphaba it is revealed that she is actually very compassionate, kind, ambitious and bubbly. I love that she is perfectly imperfect.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

My Mum and Grandma have been huge inspirations to me growing up, and I will forever be grateful for their wisdom and strength.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given and what advice would you pass on?

Don’t say ‘I know’, say ‘I see’.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? Why do you feel that it is important to recognise the day?

It’s a day to celebrate women past and present and to celebrate all their achievements and spread the message of gender equality with love and positivity!

The story of Wicked is centred around strong women. Why do you think this resonates so strongly with audiences all over the world?

There are elements within Elphaba and Glinda that I think audiences all over the world can relate to.

How does it feel to play such an inspiring and inspirational character? What do you think your character’s best characteristics are?

Playing Elphaba is incredibly empowering. She’s strong, kind and ultimately wants good!

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

It’s hard to choose just one, I’m inspired daily by the women in my life, at work, my family, friends, partner. Women just doing life are inspirational.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given and what advice would you pass on?

Follow your dreams, it’s a simple one, but I wouldn’t be where I am today, if I hadn’t!

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? Why do you feel that it is important to recognise the day?

I think it’s an incredible day to celebrate women and to reflect on achievements made by them. But most importantly it’s good to use the day to emphasise that it shouldn’t just be one day. We should support and celebrate women always. Women have done so much work to equalize themselves so we need to have time to reflect on that and enjoy it!

The story of Wicked is centred around strong women. Why do you think this resonates so strongly with audiences all over the world?

I think it’s universal because all people who identify as women can relate to challenges being a woman. These are different for everyone, but we have each other and we grow from each other. Wicked shows how supporting one another can help you grow as a person and ultimately change you.

How does it feel to play such an inspiring and inspirational character? What do you think your character’s best characteristics are?

It’s a privilege to play Glinda and have that responsibility. I love to hear and see that she’s inspirational to people. She’s so open and willing to better herself and learn from people around her. I love that about her. I also love her sense of fun. Sometimes she just blurts out her truth and we all need that from time to time! But also recognises her flaws and that’s important too.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

I’m very close with my mam and my sister. The three of us as women have a special bond. I’ve learned a lot from them both and they have helped me in so many ways. They are my rocks and the most gorgeous women inside and out.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given and what advice would you pass on?

You’ve nothing to prove and everything to share.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you? Why do you feel that it is important to recognise the day?

I think that women have fought hard for many years to be treated as equals and there has been huge amounts of change and progress, although there is some way to go. I think it’s important to acknowledge women as strong, intelligent and powerful, just as much as everyone else. It’s important to acknowledge how incredible women are; in the face of being seen as lesser than. Our anatomy comes with sometimes pain and struggle, but also the beauty of life, and that’s something that we have to deal with as well as the every day trials that others face. Women deserve the acknowledgment that has previously not been understood, undermined and silenced.

The story of Wicked is centred around strong women. Why do you think this resonates so strongly with audiences all over the world?

The trials and tribulations of every day life can become overwhelming, the theatre is a place to escape and enjoy. I think Wicked resonates with women because it is about women who have been shot down and underestimated and it gives people hope that just like in our story, there is room for change, things can change and will change. You can feel the strength of someone taking ownership on stage through your whole body and that can light a fire for someone to make changes in their own life or even someone else’s.

How does it feel to play such an inspiring and inspirational character? What do you think your character’s best characteristics are?

It feels incredible to play Elphaba. Every time I play her, I get to start the day at school optimistic and hopeful and I feel my confidence and strength grow throughout the piece and that resonates inside myself too, the feeling of defying gravity really feels like I’m flying inside. I think her best traits are; she’s strong, kind, fights for injustice, completely accepting of everyone and has her heart on her sleeve.

Tell us about a woman who inspires you.

Sounds strange, but Billie Eilish. She started writing songs so so young, I am blown away by the talent at such a young age, and I love her music, it feels as though her whole emotions are on the page she writes, I feel every word and sound is made with intention and she has grown as an artist that I adore.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given and what advice would you pass on?

Be truthful. Focus on the acting. Lots of people can make things sound nice, but people leave the theatre thinking, she sounded great and forget about it easily. With acting, if you do it right, people leave the theatre completely transported and changed, and it doesn’t matter what you sound like. They’ll remember it forever. Focus on the acting. If I were to pass on advice, I’d say to be kind. It’s always what I say to the kids I teach. It’s the one thing that separates you and someone else equally talented.