Amaaya celebrates 10 years of Mortal Fools membership

In 2015, I nervously stepped into my very first Mortal Fools drama session at 8 years old, not knowing then that I was starting a journey that would shape who I am today. 

Ten years later, I find myself reflecting on everything this group has given me: the lessons, the confidence, the friendships, and most of all, the chance to grow as a performer and a person.
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Throughout the years, I’ve been part of so many incredible projects, and what’s made them so special is how different they’ve all been; every single one has taught me something new.

​It's impossible to pick a favourite, but here are a few moments that I’ll carry with me forever…

Out There 2018
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Out There remains one of my favourite outdoor performances. All the groups came together, and I remember laughing so much playing games and getting to know the older members. That show, like many, pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I’m so glad I did it.

 Stocking Fillers 2018

Joining Stage 3 felt terrifying at first (teenagers!!!), but Stocking Fillers taught me how to embrace comedic characters and loosen up, as a very enthusiastic fitness instructor. That project marked a turning point as I stopped trying to ‘get it right’ and started really enjoying the process.

Corona Virus Time Capsule 2020

COVID hit in 2020, and despite everything, Mortal Fools kept going. The Corona virus Time Capsule project gave us structure, creativity, and community during a time we really needed it. Looking back on those videos, I cringe a little, but I’m also proud of that younger version of me, figuring it all out.

Let us Tell you 2021
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Returning to in person working after the pandemic with Let Us Tell You was emotional. My monologues finally felt meaningful, and writing a letter to my 25-year-old self at 14 is something I can’t wait to watch back on when the time comes.

Photo from Flux 2022. Photography by Von Fox Promotions.

Flux 2022
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Flux 2022 was a massive shift as it was the first time I was involved in creating a show from scratch with people just as passionate about theatre as I am. The work was deep, collaborative, and intense in the best way. We explored big themes, experimented with movement, and had honest conversations as a group. It wasn’t just about performance; it was about growing up and figuring ourselves out. Touring with Flux, filming it, and watching it evolve was unforgettable. 

My People 2022

In My People, I played a background character, which taught me how to stay engaged and contribute without always being centre stage. My favourite memory from that project was dancing around in the dark in the back garden during filming and having pizza with the cast afterwards.

Peer Facilitation 2023

Over time I picked up invaluable skills in improvisation and was able to teach these skills to Stage 2 Youth Theatre members in my Peer Facilitator role. I used to be that shy kid scared of saying the wrong thing, and now I was helping others find their voice.​

Photo from Flux 2023. Photography by Von Fox Promotions.

Flux 2023

Flux 2023 was a project I’ll carry with me for life. We turned the original Flux into something even bigger, touring across the North and performing in multiple theatres. My role expanded, and I played three completely different characters, which was a massive step up for me. I’ll never forget an audience member approaching me after a show, saying how versatile I was. That meant the world because I hadn’t always been like that. It’s thanks to Mortal Fools for constantly pushing me that I finally reached that point.
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Some of my favourite memories? Card games in dressing rooms, dancing in each other’s rooms on tour, and laughing until we cried backstage.

Photo from Brainstorm 2025. Photography by Von Fox Promotions.

Brainstorm 2025

And finally, my last project and the one that completes my 10 years with Mortal Fools, Brainstorm. I remember watching Mortal Fools' first production of Brainstorm back in 2018, desperate to join Ensemble Young Company. Performing a brand-new version as my final show was a full-circle moment. Brainstorm asked us to play ourselves and take on roles representing different parts of the teenage brain. I was asked to perform a character experiencing anxiety, a challenge I took seriously, especially because it’s something I’ve personally struggled with.

Rehearsing and delivering the panic attack scene was incredibly difficult, but it taught me a huge amount about vulnerability and care. It was about representing something real and doing it justice.
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I also performed a deeply meaningful monologue in Brainstorm, which I worked on for multiple sessions with practitioners. We explored how to deliver it authentically, finding emotional honesty through a series of exercises. That piece became one of the most powerful things I’ve ever performed, and I’m proud of how I executed it. 

Photo from Brainstorm 2025. Photography by Von Fox Promotions.

What I’ve always loved most is how Mortal Fools never settles for ‘safe’. We’ve been encouraged to tackle complex themes, use our own stories, and engage deeply with the world around us. And in doing that, I’ve learned that performance can be more than just entertainment; it can be a powerful form of communication and change.

​Thank you to every mentor, creative, and castmate who’s been part of this journey with me. I’ll always be proud to say: this is where I began.

The future…
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As I move forward, I’m so excited to be starting the next chapter of my journey at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in London, where I’ll be training full-time in musical theatre. It’s a dream I’ve had for as long as I can remember, and I know that everything I’ve learned over the past ten years has prepared me for this. While I’m leaving the group as a member, the experiences, memories, and people will always be a part of me.

Photo from Inevitable? Photography by Von Fox Promotions.

​If you’re thinking of joining or finding your feet in any Mortal Fools group, just do it. Say yes to everything. Push yourself. Be brave. Because ten years go faster than you think, and every experience here is worth holding onto. You’ll be challenged, inspired, and supported every step of the way. You’ll find your people, and you’ll learn just how far you can go when someone believes in you.