Tasha Dowd

Course Studied:

BA (Hons) Actor Musician 

Year of Graduation: 2023

Tasha Dowd (she/they) is a multi-instrumentalist Actor Musician based in Liverpool and Leeds. From Drag to Richard III, Tasha’s stage experience is as broad as her musicality. Tasha studied at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and Leeds Conservatoire and has already completed projects with Sky Atlantic, Leeds Playhouse, and the Unity Theatre. With a rich alto voice, Tasha has a strong background in musical theatre as well as singing her original works. Off-stage, Tasha collaborates with theatre companies to compose and musically direct songs for their productions. Heavily influenced by folk traditions, Tasha has used their skills whilst working for grass-roots companies to tell stories about Climate Change, Class and Identity.

What was the most important lesson you learned during your time in Leeds? 

Less over thinking, more doing. I was a big over thinker at uni, still am in a couple of ways really, but unlearning that constant need to think and over-analyse and impress meant I can walk into rooms and be more myself. Cause that's what people want to see; it's not just about giving a good show, it's about if they think you'll be nice to tour with, a friendly face to work and be with all of the time. It's an intense job and you make friend with people very fast. You've got to be yourself to show that, not just a shiny Actor. 

Could you tell about some of your most memorable performances/contracts to date? 

So much has happened to me! I think the four jobs I've had since graduating have all been invaluable in teaching me different things. Vernon's Girls was my debut, so it'll always have a firm place in my heart, the TIE job I did showed me what it is to be on the road and constantly moving, Panto season had me costume changing like nobodies business and understudying at the drop of a hat, and as a writer Tell Me How it Ends has given me a priceless look at the other side of the production table; casting, development, meetings etc. I had four very different jobs so far, all of which I've enjoyed in its own specific way. 

Though, I have to say, going on as Fairy Godmother after an onstage fall wasn't the right type of thrill for me, haha! 

You’re also a writer – what are the main sources of inspiration for your writing? 

I suppose its just stories I want to hear myself, things I haven't seen but want to, ideas I don't think have hit the potential I think they could, corners of history that go unmentioned. I think there's an infinite number of stories in all of that alone - really I try to write something honest. And I think because of that, I don't put too many boxes round my ideas - I'm an Actor Muso but I'm yet to write an Actor Muso show, it's just where its all headed so far (though I want to change that when the right show comes along!), because what I wanted to say didn't need to be in that format. 

I write the stuff I want to see, not what I think would sell or get me hired or popular - I'm just in the very fortunate position to have a team of people who read my work and saw what it could be. Putting on a play in my home city was part of my 5 year plan - time to write a new plan I think. 

What is your best memory from Leeds Conservatoire?

It sounds bizarre, but in the best way, my favourite memory is the day I realised I was leaving! Things is, I'd be offered a job at the Liverpool Royal Court that meant I had to leave uni a couple of months early - and the day I left I just realised that everything was paying off. I hadn't even graduated and I was off making my professional debut! All the hours of music, acting, movement, voice, screen, all of it had culminated and grown into this huge first step into the industry. Its my favourite memory because I realised I was really going to be fine after training; I had worked stupidly hard, both in and out of classes, and I was proud of what I had to show for it so soon.