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1. What is your favourite medium to work in Film/TV or theatre and why?
   Is it greedy to say I love them all? Film is wonderful because you have time to really nut out problems with your director. TV is such a challenge in terms of how fast it cracks along. It can also be incredibly freeing as without rehearsals you often end up improvising. Theatre is my first love. For me it’s the best place to hone your skills - to work at mastering your voice and body.
2. What has been the most challenging of the roles you have played so far and why?
   Just about all the roles at drama school were challenging as they like to cast you outside your ‘type’. It was a great place to learn to be brave. No role since I’ve been out has been without its challenges. Even playing a cop could be tough – trying to break the clichés and stereotypes.
3. When did you know that Performing Art was the path you wanted to follow?
   I had a teacher in my last year of senior school that nudged me into it. When I left school I travelled a lot and found myself constantly mesmerised by the different faces, the incredible history out there. The detective work that acting requires seemed to blend all of my growing passions together. When I started Uni I was preparing to pad my fall from the arts by taking units in PR, journalism and psychology. I soon realised my heart had one drive only.
4. What has been the most real/confronting/challenging moment in your acting career?
   I have found myself in LA for the first time in my life. It’s such a different world here and it’s true that you have to take it all with a grain of salt. It can be an incredibly confronting place so you have to keep bringing your attention back to what really matters in your life.

5. What are your thoughts in working in directing and other areas of production?
   I admire enormously all the other aspects of creating stories. Actors are just a tiny part of the product. I love to think that one day I will be talented enough and brave enough to write and direct. In the mean time I’m going to observe and learn from those who do it so well.
6. How do you do to prepare for a role?
   I love the early stages. The endless research that you can do to find your role. I try not to lock anything down in terms of character but I will read up as much as I can on the time and place that the person comes from, what influences them to be the way they are. I love going on the hunt for interviews too. It makes me feel like I have a solid and honest foundation to work from.
7. What advice has been the most helpful for you on set?
   ‘Drop the bloody homework and just say the lines’ – sometimes I need to let go and trust that the work is there.
8. What women in history would you love to play if you were given the chance and why?
   The untold stories. The Vera Drakes, Mariane pearls, Erin Brockovich’s. Those women who often unknowingly create butterfly effects and make incredible changes to the world.
9. What do you think the importance is of film/tv/theatre is in today’s society?
   As important as visual arts and music, for me it’s as important as religion. How else do we carry on our traditions and be proud of our culture.
10. What is your favourite thing to do after a long day on set/in rehearsals?
    It’s either a red wine over a game of pool or a camomile tea whilst soaking in a hot bath.
    
    Find out more about Clare- http://www.yenmag.net/ywya/finalists_profile.php?name_id=13
    
    Interview By Rhiannon Bulley

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