Karl Wozny, Artistic Director of Bigfoot Theatre, names the five most inspirational figures in his professional life
Andrew Evans
Andrew is my oldest friend. I have known him since I was 12. We have had highs and lows to our friendship, but Andy has always remained a positive figure in my life. He has a fearless approach to achieving his goals, and throughout our lives we have supported each other in everything we do. We both came from a small rural town in Kent where opportunity was thin on the ground. We both escaped together. I pursued a career in acting and he a career in publishing. Without him as my friend I would definitely be a different person than I am today.
Irene Bradshaw
My first acting class was with Irene Bradshaw, a very sexy older woman who ran late night acting classes for beginners at the City Lit. I rolled into that class not really knowing what to expect, but in that first hour she taught me how to be a child again ? to lose my inhibitions and to take risks. I owe her much for those experiences, which urged me to pursue my career in acting and teaching drama. She is pivotal as to why I am here today doing what I?m doing!
Leon Eagles
Leon Eagles was my voice teacher at drama school. He was an amazing character, an incredible actor, but most importantly for me he was a tremendous teacher. He was brutally honest, and when I was crap he told me I was crap. His honesty made me a better practitioner, because he always made me strive for perfection and to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground. Leon died a few years after I graduated from drama school, and since then I have developed a professional working relationship with his daughter, Zillah. She is a fantastic teacher like her father and does great work for my company.
Linda Osborn
Linda was my first professional engagement as a drama teacher in 2000 and inspired me to set up Bigfoot Theatre Company. She ran The Woodcraft Folk and local Lambeth play centres. She hired me, a very green, but enthusiastic drama practitioner to run a series of out-of-school drama clubs with groups of children who attended the play centres. She then went on to support many of my arts projects and really helped lift my company?s profile. If it wasn?t for her generosity I would have never have had the experience of working with inner city kids. I blagged a lot in my early days, and she knew I was blagging it, but she gave me the opportunity anyway, and for that I am truly grateful!
Carolina Giammetta-Cordes
Carolina was one of my first practitioners. She helped develop our training strategies for staff and teachers from her previous experience in corporate entertainment. In 2003 I employed her to produce London Talent, an ambitious performing arts summer course for London?s most talented youth. She made my vision come to life, but made it even better and more successful than I could have imagined. There are many people that work for Bigfoot Theatre Company who have my undying devotion and respect, but Carolina for me has been a force to be reckoned with.