We recently caught up with Class of 2011 OW, Fiona Porritt after hearing about her nomination at the 2024 Olivier Awards and what lead her to pursue a career in the arts.

Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary at Les Enfants Terribles theatre company and your recent Olivier award nomination. Could you tell us your journey since leaving Westholme that eventually lead you to the Creative Producer role?

Thank you! After leaving Westholme I took an year course at The Oxford School of Drama in Musical Theatre, an experience I'll never forget. I then completed a degree in Theatre at Brunel University in London, where I branched out from performing and developed interests in directing, devising and writing. Whilst I was at university I began interning at Les Enfants Terribles theatre company where I've had the pleasure of growing with the company over the past ten years. In this time I've created stage shows, immersive theatre and brand experiences across the UK, and internationally to the likes of the USA, Singapore, the Czech Republic and Luxembourg.

What was it like attending the Olivier awards? Have you been to many awards ceremonies?

The Olivier Awards is the biggest awards ceremony in UK theatre, so I was very excited to attend! As we were nominated we were invited to walk the green carpet (actual real grass!), then take our seats in the Royal Albert Hall. We were sat near the front of the stalls, so I had a nice clear view of Nicole Scherzinger when she accepted her award. We might not have won this time, but made sure we celebrated all the same at the fabulous afterparty event at the Natural History Museum. 

Was a career in theatre and the arts always something you wanted to pursue?

Yes it was, I loved attending the theatre and performing for as long as I can remember and was in every single Westholme production I could get involved with! What I didn't know is that I'd end up finding a career in producing, and I'd encourage students to look at the backstage and production roles as well as performance opportunities when thinking about a future career.

What are your best memories of being at Westholme?

Aside from hanging out in the costume cupboard and music centre... I'd definitely say the friends I made. I'm extremely close with lots of people from the class of 2011 and we still spend a lot of time together now. I'm also eternally grateful to the select teachers that knew how to channel my creativity and enthusiasm into completing my studies.

Do you have any advice for our current A Level students who are looking to succeed in a career similar to yourself? - I imagine it is quite a competitive industry.

My advice would be to surround yourself with people that have a similar passion as you and have a go at making theatre together. Sometimes the best opportunities are the ones you make yourself, especially within creative industries.