Young actress’ inspiring passion for theatre
India Wilson might not have the biggest role in the current performance of Macbeth but it’s unlikely she’ll go unnoticed.The 13-year-old has three roles in BMDS’ production at Fort Hamilton, the most significant being one of the three witches in the Shakespeare work.It’s interesting because I’ve never had to play anything like it,” the Warwick Academy student said.She began acting at the age of eight, when she was cast as a seamstress in a school production of Sleeping Beauty.India said of that first performance: “I was just excited. I thought it was fun. I got to be very over-the-top.”She’s since performed in 13 productions including Macbeth, which ends its run on Saturday.The role of the witch is her favourite, she also acts as a messenger and plays Donalbain, King Duncan’s youngest son.“It’s the most important role out of the three,” she said. “It challenged me.”Macbeth director John Zuill had high praise for her abilities: ”As an actress, [she] is quite disciplined and clever. She had a good reputation from other shows.“The director explained that he didn’t want a trio of “cackly witches of mischievous intent”.He said of India: “She pulls away from the witch expectation.“There is some rage in all of us and India found hers. She’s a good actress and I would put her in anything I directed if I had a part for her.”The St George’s resident said she was inspired to act by many of her family members.She said her 17-year-old sister Amber was the reason she first dared to audition. Amber tried out for the pantomime years ago; India was inspired to follow in her big sister’s footsteps.“As soon as I was old enough I wanted to try out and then I kept going from there,” she said.The teenager cited her godmother Jennifer Burrell Jones, as her primary role model in the theatre community.“Her passion for [theatre] is inspiring to see someone feel as strongly about it as I do. She’s always helped me. She’s always giving me points. She’s always been there. She’s always there watching. I actually don’t remember a play I’ve been in [that] she hasn’t watched.”Another huge support system for the young actress is her mother, Bernadette who told her about Macbeth and encouraged her to audition.“I really didn’t think I’d get in. It’s just very adult and I was really one of the only children. So when I got in [the play] it was very exciting.It’s been pretty fun. I’ve enjoyed it.”Her next role is a leading one in Warwick Academy’s upcoming production of the Broadway hit ‘Cabaret’.The actress advised other young people wanting to act: “Try out for anything. Just try out. Auditioning never hurt, even if you think that you have no chance of getting in just audition, because you never know.”She said of her own first experience: “[I was] nervous out of my mind. I was shaking. I didn’t know what to do. My sister had to hold my hand right up to the audition because I was so nervous.”Asked if she plans to pursue acting after high school, India said: “I’d like to, but of course there’s the slim chance that you’ll actually make it. But yeah, I would.”Her mother was also supportive: “I’m proud of her and I’m happy that she likes it. I would not push her to do it if she did not want to do it.”