Elise Paramore

As of today, I officially have only 1 GCSE exam left to sit. I can't believe I am actually able to say (type) that. Just over a month ago, I sat my first exam. One of twenty (although I technically have twenty-one in total, as I had a practical drama exam), and now I have completed nineteen out of those twenty. That is an unbelievable thought. And if you had asked me a month ago, how was I feeling, I would have told you that I was so nervous and stressed. Ask me now, I still feel like it isn't real. The whole exam process is bazaar. You spend two years learning content, exam technique and how to apply that knowledge. Then you spend weeks revising that content. And then you have a half an hour pep-talk, recapping two years of content. And then you sit an exam. And that's it. Totally finished. All in the space of a few hours. I personally find this whole process so crazy. It's an unfair reflection of ones abilities and mental capacity. For some people, including me, exa

I've been thinking a lot recently about this. Does putting in work and effort get you results? There are obvious things such as exercise, where you'll get results if you work out frequently but there are some things which make me wonder. For example, relationships. Now I am no expert in any way, but I've had a little bit of experience in this area. So in the majority of relationships, two people will work along side each other to have a relationship. Makes sense, right? So why is it that putting in effort in this case, doesn't always get a good result. You could try and try and try to make things right, or keep happy but sometimes it doesn't work. And I guess you could argue that it is just fate and what will be will be but the amount of effort that people put into these things for them just to go away is so hard to accept. There are many occasions where I've put in effort and have gotten results. Occasions such as mock tests where I've revised and I'

Musicals and musical theatre are a huge part of my life. It's the industry I want to work in, the place I escape to and the place where a large majority of my idols work and have influence. I wanted to share my current top 5 musicals, as I love finding out other peoples favourite musicals! A little side note/fun fact I've only seen 2 of my top five although I will be seeing my favourite this year! Anyway on with the list! 5. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street In at number 5 we have Sweeney Todd, A musical written by the wonderful Stephen Sondheim. This musical was first introduced to me by my best friend, and I fell in love with it. The witty lyrics and memorable tunes captured my attention and I found I was sympathising with in essence a serial killer.  One of the two of my top 5 that I've actually seen on stage, it is a very firm favourite and I would recommend to anyone who enjoys musicals. Unless you're squeamish. Stay clear of the film :) 

Expectations. Something that we all have or have set against us. I'm at the point in my life where my expectations are incredibly important. Expectations of what I need to achieve to get to college, what I expect from the colleges that I am looking at and the expectations of the people around me. Whilst I feel like I am able to cope with the pressures and expectations of the people around me, I struggle with not living up to my own expectations. We expect so much of ourselves that when we fail we are impacted more by what we think rather than what the people around us expect. I suppose that we have grown accustomed to pressure and just feel bad when we don't live up to our own expectations. I believe that we have our own expectations, for our own personal reasons. But I also believe that we should lessen the extent of the pressure we force ourselves and the people around us under. Expectations are there for a reason however I personally believe that I should think about the

We make choices everyday. Whether they are the little things, like what drink am I going to have with my lunch or how should I do my hair or the substantial things such as how you choose to react to a situation which could so easily be escalated. There are other types of choices to which influence our futures and can change the course of what we want to do and what we actually do. This next week I make some very important choices which will influence my future. Today I had to take some headshots ready for an entry workshop which I will be doing later on in the week and it made me think that the decisions that I am about to make, will influence everything about me. Whether I go onto study performing arts full time or whether I go to a normal college and do A levels. Whether I stay with my friends in my comfort zone or whether I step out of that zone and meet new people. I think that these decisions are so important but at the same time we shouldn't sweat it. I personally am lucky

We live in a world where we are surrounded by loss. Whether it is our own loss, family and friends who sadly can no longer be with us or people who we look up to, actors; singers; writers who inspire us and are imprinted within our memories. Recently we have lost some of the most brilliant and talented people and I feel obliged to write something about these people. Last year we lost Kyle Jean-Baptiste, a broadway actor at the age of 21. Kyle broke broadway history as the first black Valjean in Les Miserables after filling in for Ramin Karimloo who was on vacation. He was only just getting started in his career and the loss of his life is extremely sad. This year we have lost three of the most loved celebrities. Lemmy, front man of motorhead and an extremely loved person in the Rock community, David Bowie, a revolutionary and talented musician and actor. And today we lost Actor Alan Rickman, a fine British actor who shaped characters such as Professor Snape in the Harry Potter fran

Theatre, a home away from home. I have such a massive love of theatre, either being on the stage or being in the audience, the whole feel of walking into an auditorium or onto a stage is one that you only experience at a theatre. I've been lucky enough to do both multiple times. From seeing west-end shows to being in local productions I've experienced both ends of the theatrical scale. And with my love ever growing I wanted to share my passion of theatre and theatre going. I think that the first time I went to a proper theatre was around the age of 7 or 8, when I went to my local theatre to see the annual Christmas production. And whilst I can't remember what it was that I saw, I do remember the feeling of walking into the auditorium and seeing lots and lots of people and just feeling excited. I think it was pretty much then when I fell in love with the theatre. Since then I have performed on that same stage multiple times, done countless productions and have even per

We've said goodbye to another year and welcomed in 2016. A new year, a new me? Not the approach that I am taking. I'm sitting here in a messy room, drinking Fanta and wondering what the next 366 days are going to bring. I believe that this year is going to be one of moving on and making big changes that will influence the course of my life. But it will also have those days where it's just normal life. The day-to-day doings that everyone will do the vast majority of the year. I didn't want to set any resolutions this year. I always find that by the end of January I've broken them or realised that what I want to do is far to unrealistic for what I can do considering that I am a teenager and I have little means of transport or finance. But what I do want to do this year is make the right choice. Or at least the choice that I believe will positively impact on my life and the lives of the people who have to deal with me. I have some very crucial decisions to make thi