Meet the team: Nick Osmond, Rep Actor
Up next in our meet the team series, Rep Actor, workshop leader and all-round Creation fave, Nick Osmond:
What was the first Creation production you were involved with, and what’s your favourite memory of it?
My first Creation production was Much Ado About Nothing at Oxford Castle back in 2008. Or was it 2007? A long time ago anyway! Getting the chance to be involved in another production of Much Ado with Creation all these years later very much feels like coming full circle. I suppose my fondest memory of that production was simply being given the chance to play Benedick. At drama school, he was on my top 5 list of parts that I wanted to play, so achieving one of my acting ambitions meant a huge amount to me at the time. However, what I remember most about that summer was the rain! We must have had some sunny days, but Oxford was basically underwater for 6 weeks. Hopefully, we’ll have better weather this time around!!
When did you first decide you wanted to be an actor? What was your journey into professional theatre?
I was about 15 when I realised that I wanted to be an actor. I had always loved performing, but it simply never occurred to me that it was something you could do for a living. For a while I thought that I wanted to be a barrister, but I eventually realised that what I really wanted to be was Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men.
The first thing I did when I’d set my heart on becoming an actor was join The Gantry Youth Theatre in Southampton, which was run by Barbara Donovan. The productions I did with them remain some of my happiest childhood memories. A few years later, I started auditioning for drama schools. At first I was rejected by everyone. I went travelling for 6 months, came back and tried again. This time I had a bit more success and decided to do the 3 year course at Mountview. After that I just performed wherever they let me.
What does it mean to be part of a rep company?
My third year at drama school was one of the best years of my life. We were continually putting on productions, often being cast ag
ainst type, in really interesting plays. When one production was over we would come in on Monday and ask, “What are we doing next then?” In some ways, being in a rep company is like being paid to do the third of drama school all over again. It’s wonderful! On top of that, it gives us the chance, as a small group of actors, to know each other incredibly well. We’re starting to build a little bit of a sixth sense with each other, which is really exciting. We’re also able to do workshops, where we can experiment with ideas that may or may not materialise into actual productions. That just doesn’t happen when you’re working as a freelancer.
On a practical level, having a steady income and not having to worry about what will happen when the current show ends has been a huge relief. The financial instability that comes with working as a freelance performer can be difficult to deal with. Having a degree of financial certainty has made an enormous difference to my personal life.
Where abouts in Oxfordshire do you live now? What’s your favourite thing about the place?
I actually live just over the border in the beautiful village of Brill, in Buckinghamshire. Apart from its famous windmill, it has a wonderful community, two fabulous pubs, incredible views, and a fantastic school that my children love. However, on a windy winter day it is very, very cold.
What are you playing in Much Ado About Nothing this summer?
This summer I am playing Leonato, the evil Don John and The Sexton. I think that Leonato’s grief over his daughter’s downfall is beautifully written and playing the bad guy is always fun. I can’t wait!!!