My passion started to form when I was young and I performed short improvised plays in front of my family, I felt a sensory experience that ignited the trigger to perform. I attended The Court Youth Theatre Group In Bicester where I lived to explore performance. I began taking dance lessons from modern to capoeira, a dance which is a martial arts dance form. The performances felt immersive and I felt a sense of freedom and adrenaline that grew to pursue this as a potential career. I began perfectly practicing routines continuously to be the best I could possibly be.
I felt inspired by Audrey Hepburn, I would sit curled on my sofa watching classic old films like My Fair Lady, Sabrina, Breakfast At Tiffany’s, her grace and assurance of definitive purpose in her role shined through. The contrast between the characters she played was inspiring. I was strongly influenced by her to evolve my performance into acting.
indieactivity: Did you study acting?
Natasha Rose Mills (NRM): I studied at Oxford and City College Performance Diploma to learn the fundamentals in acting. In 2010 I attended a drama school Adam Deacon opened called the Deconstructive Group. This was a drama school Adam Deacon set up to help guide new talent starting out in the industry. The classes were solely improv, which gave me a chance to explore various emotions in its entirety. In 2012 I went to a Youth Theatre Drama Group in Camden.
The classes were great and immersive which explored Laban Stanislavski techniques and how to apply them in your acting. I took a stage combat armed exam whilst attending the school. I worked hard to develop my skill set and utilize my talents. In the study, we explored modern methods applied to writing a dialogue play. I worked tirelessly writing in class and improvising. Laban was immersive and physically you had to throw your body into an animalistic state, crafting your skill and enlightening your imagination. It was a great way to get out of your comfort zone.
What acting technique do you use?
Natasha Rose Mills (NRM): I use past memory and personal experience to draw on to create a vision and imagination to understand the motivations of the character and the meaning behind them. The character is essentially you but in another form of reality if you followed a different path. It’s becoming an authentic version of you but portrayed in other situations and environment of circumstances. As a human being, we feel emotions, in acting, I wouldn’t say it is acting, it’s more of a real vision of you projected onto screen.
Do you take courses to improve your craft?
Natasha Rose Mills (NRM): I have just started a new class at Unseen Drama School to improve my ability and continuously practice my craft. I am blessed to be nurtured and given advice by my partner who is a film director himself working in the industry,
What acting books do you read?
Natasha Rose Mills (NRM): At the moment I am in the middle of reading Mel Churcher Workshop. This book explores many methods of acting on screen, one that strongly stuck with me was her method where you remember your childhood and your imagination was very enhanced. Children are not scared of failing, as we grow up into adulthood the dreams we have as a child seems to diminish. Its remembering times dated back to your childhood to open up your imagination.
I am also reading Think and Grow Rich originally written by Napoleon Hill from a mans perspective, this new version was specifically adapted for women by Sharon Lechter. I feel strongly influenced from this book, which has many inspiring stories of empowering women like Oprah Whiphy, Mother Teresa, and women inventors such as Hedy Lamarr, a famous actress who co-invented wireless communications used in combat during the war which later transferred to WiFi AND GPS. I would strongly recommend all women from all walks of life to read this book.
How do you keep fit as an actor?
Natasha Rose Mills (NRM): Each morning I exercise to get my body pumping with Pilates or Yoga. Then I meditate, visualize and usually listen to a podcast to feed my mind with something positive and powerful to start my day.
