Burry Port student to act out his dream at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

He’s worked with Hollywood actor Michael Sheen, taken tips from British acting icon James Bolam and now he’s preparing for an acting career with a degree course at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Ollie Morgan-Thomas, former head boy at Ysgol Glan y Mor insists that his acceptance at the specialist arts college is as a result of the tutor support he received at college during his studies on an extended diploma in performing arts. “We’re a really tight class, we encourage each other and we have outstanding tutor support,” he said.

“As our lecturers work in the industry outside the college, they’ve been able to support me by providing contacts and giving me their advice on audition pieces.”

When he was younger, Ollie was part of The Academy in Llanelli where he performed in shows such as Carousel and The Full Monty. Towards the end of school, Ollie’s passion for performance was reignited as he organised a school play as part of his head boy duties. He knew then that acting was to play a part in his future.

Since being at college, Ollie has been involved with The National Youth Theatre of Wales which has provided him with experience of professional touring. He’s also working with Coracle Theatre Project, a youth initiative run by a member of the performing arts team.

Ollie said: “Working with Michael Sheen on The Passion was one of the best experiences during my course. He’s such a modest and intelligent man and, what an actor.”

The college works annually with the BBC’s It’s My Shout project which supports young people studying creative arts and attracts well-known names in the industry in support of the project. “I was watching James Bolam working and he needed absolutely no direction,” said Ollie. “He understood camera angles and how TV works, so watching this level of seamless acting was a real inspiration.”

Ollie said that he enjoyed the course because it featured heavily on film, TV and radio as well as theatre which he thinks gives a performer a broader skills and career choice. He also studied dance as part of his course which has helped him with movement. Under no illusions about his future as an actor, he said: “Getting work as an actor is never consistent even when you’re at the top of your game, but I’m hoping to get an agent when I leave university and I’ve already made good links throughout the country.”

“I learnt two contrasting monologues for my audition in Cardiff, a Shakespearian and contemporary piece performing with six to seven other applicants and I felt I could ask my tutors for advice and rehearsals at any time.”