Welcome back to It Pays the Bills! Today’s guest is Hannah Johnson, a comedy actor, improviser, and dog walker. We chatted about following two interests at once, how to build up comedy chops, and the joy of looking after dogs daily.

A bit about Hannah:

Hannah graduated from Guildford School of Acting in 2020. Recently: Gang Bang at the Edinburgh Fringe 2024. Studied Comedy Improv with Hoopla and Clowning with Mischief Theatre. Previously toured with This Is My Theatre for Spring and Summer 2023. Currently in an advert for Grub Club on Sky TV.

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Welcome back to It Pays the Bills! Today’s guest is Hannah-Theresa Engen, who leads a double life in musical theatre and the heavy metal music industry. We had a great chat about everything from Hannah-Theresa’s arts background and her time playing the trumpet to her least favorite job and how she stays creative in busy London.

A bit about Hannah-Theresa:

Hannah-Theresa Engen is a musical theatre artist/creative from Norway based in London. When she’s not performing she enjoys hanging around the mosh pit (never in the mosh pit) and she always enjoys a great power ballad, musical theatre and heavy metal alike. She always protects her ears though! 

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Welcome back to It Pays the Bills! Today’s guest is Steph Darcey, a London-based actor, singer, and writer, who took inspiration from her job turning the dials for autocue and turned it into a hilarious political comedy about AMEXA: The Robot Politician.

A bit about Steph:

Steph Darcey is an actor, writer, singer, improviser & comedian. Steph recently performed her debut comedy show ‘Prototype’ (a 60 min political comedy about AMEXA: The Robot Politician) at The Old Red Lion Theatre and The Museum of Comedy, as part of The Camden Fringe, for which she received multiple 4.5-star and 4-star reviews, as well as a London Pub Theatre Standing Ovation Award nomination. ‘Prototype’ has been described by reviewers as a ‘must see’, and ‘an original and deeply layered satire’ (London Pub Theatres), praised for her ‘phenomenal writing’ by London Theatre Reviews and ‘first class’ acting from Fringe Review. ‘Prototype’ is coming to Greenwich Theatre as part of their ‘Picks of the fringes’ programme on Thursday 17th October at 7.30pm. Earlier this year Steph wrote for and performed in the world's longest running live comedy show ‘NewsRevue’, (the topical sketch & musical comedy show), at the Canal Cafe Theatre. You can find her comedy sketches online too (Insta: @StephDarcey & TikTok: @Steph.Darcey). Her training includes character comedy & improvisation at The Groundlings in Los Angeles (notable alumni include Will Ferrell, Melissa McCarthy & Kristen Wiig) as well as The Actors Class, London & The National Youth Theatre.

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Welcome back to It Pays the Bills! Today’s guests are Helen Cunningham and Nikoletta Soumelidis, our first-ever joint interviewees! We chatted about how they created their production company, 28&2 Productions, how they started theatre, and how they’re staying afloat.

A bit about Helen & Nikoletta:

Helen Cunningham attended The Oxford School of Drama. An actor and singer who now regularly writes and directs with an affinity for dark comedy. Over the last years, she has been an integral part of NewsRevue, the longest running comedy show in the world. She has been part of the cast three times, including the West End Transfer and has also been asked to direct twice — one of which was the highly coveted Christmas season. Other acting credits include performances at The Rose Theatre, Kingston and The Lowry, Salford.

Nikoletta Soumelidis is a Drama Centre trained actor, writer and director and likes all things “dark & twisty”. As an actor, her credits include performances at the National Theatre, the Bush Theatre, and the Old Vic. As a dramaturg and writer, she champions diverse and unique storytelling, having worked with companies such as Maktub Theatre, Magnetic Island Theatre and PlayDates UK. She’s also been one of Home Studio London’s resident directors for the last two years.

28&2 Productions champions multidisciplinary creatives (actor-writer-directors) and supports them with dramaturgical support, workshops and fully fledged productions on both stage and screen. Previous projects include sold-out shows such as "Curating" and "Sneak&Peek" as well as successful RnDs for "The Queen’s Arms" and "How To Say I Love You In The Dark". Their current play "Spent" is set to premiere at Baron’s Court Theatre in November. 

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Welcome back to It Pays the Bills! Today’s guest is Josefin Tønnessen, who has the distinction of being the first non-actor interviewed on the podcast. We chatted about her love of dancing, her foray into writing for musical theatre, and her latest venture, a new musical theatre programme for all ages.

A bit about Josefin:

Josefin is a Norwegian actor/writer/teacher based in Oslo. After years of being kicked around between Norway and London by either Covid or Brexit and chasing auditions for other people’s productions, she has finally discovered her passion for doing her own thing. When she’s not working as a barista, balloon clown, or hospital kitchen worker you’ll find her writing and putting on a brand new musical, or, most recently, founding her very own after school musical theatre programme.

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Welcome back to It Pays the Bills! Today’s guest is Iris Goldsztajn, who has the distinction of being the first non-actor interviewed on the podcast. We chatted about Iris’ writing career, the rom com she’s been writing, and her future plans and creative goals.

A bit about Iris:

Iris Goldsztajn is a journalist and author based in London. Her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29, Bustle, InStyle and many more, and she currently serves as the morning editor for Marie Claire US. Iris was born in France to a French dad and an English mum, and graduated from UCLA in 2016.

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Welcome back to It Pays the Bills! Today’s guest is Aimee Olivia, a globe-trotting actor from Aotearoa/New Zealand, who currently works at the Frog & Bucket Comedy Club in Manchester. In today’s episode, we catch up on comedy vs. acting, her film production company, and jumping on once-in-a-lifetime chances.

A bit about Aimee:

Aimee Olivia is a Kiwi actress, writer & co-founder of Good Egg Film Productions. She based in Manchester, she trained at Mountview & her past credits include Maggie in Home For Christmas (Amanda Holden music video), Hume in Queen Margaret, Elvira in Blithe Spirit, and Elizabeth Bennet in Pride & Prejudice and has a few short films in pre-production.

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Welcome back to It Pays the Bills! Today’s guest is Marnie Yule, an outstanding singer and actor who is pretty constantly making everyone around them laugh. We got to chat with them about their current day job - the not-so-dreaded 9-to-5 - plus some colorful previous jobs to boot!

A bit about Marnie:

Marnie is a singer, actor and strong mover based in London. After training at Mountview they have performed in the holy trinity of acting roles: A pantomime, a cruise ship and a commercial for Durex. When they are not binge-watching improv comedy on YouTube, they’re listening to some form of podcast recorded by improv comedians.

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Welcome back to It Pays the Bills! Today’s guest is Millie Thorne, a comedy actor and writer who is about to bring her debut show, Sketchy, to the Edinburgh Fringe! We got to chat with Millie about her creative goals and day jobs past and present, and got to hear a bit more about what she’s planning for the future as well.

A bit about Millie:

Millie is a Writer/Performer based in Manchester. After the success of her four star play QUENCH (VAULT Festival 2023), Millie has even more absurd ideas up her sleeve and can not wait debut SKETCHY at this years Edinburgh Fringe, performing 6-10th August at Paradise Green.

Previous credits include QUENCH (VAULT Festival 2023), MAN LIKE MOBEEN (BBC), PIGEONS ON L'EDGE (VAULT Festival 2020) and ALMOST NEVER (CBBC).

Millie will also be performing at the Women in Comedy Festival in October. 

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Welcome back to It Pays the Bills! Today’s guest is Harvey Westwood, a triple threat performer with boundless artistic talent. As Harvey boards his cruise job, we thought it would be a great time to ask him about his creative journey so far.

A bit about Harvey:

Harvey is an actor from Bristol with a degree in Art and Design. In his Musical Theatre career, he is currently playing ADAM in BEETLEJUICE: THE MUSICAL for Norwegian Cruise Lines. He has previously worked three years as a Swing as well as performing on multiple ships. As a designer, he has been commissioned by Theatre-Makers, runs an Etsy Shop, and uses art as a vital hobby outside of his acting life.

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