Melodia: Spotlight on Gina Benjamin

I am from the UK currently working as a drama teacher in Hong Kong. I studied performing arts at college and dance at university so I am passionate about all forms of performance. As well as being a teacher, I have performed with dance companies, theatre companies, directed shows and wrote monologs as well as poetry.

My role in the show is Boca, one of the Burrows narrators. I've developed this character that likes to be low to the ground, is always inquisitive about their surroundings and maybe a little nervous at times. In preparation I've watched a lot of David Attenborough, which is never a bad thing.

This show is different to anything I have every done before simply due to the vastness of the production. It's really exiting to be a part of something that has so many moving components all working towards the same goal. The auditions were as expected nerve racking, there where so many people wanting to be part of it, I feel really lucky I was chosen. I was on the MTR when I received the "you are in" email and it really warmed my heart and gave me a sense of accomplishment, then I called my mum!

I know I'll miss the feeling of having a huge performing family when the show is over, so let's not talk about that right now.

Before the show... sleep well, eat a good breakfast, coffee, try and relax, smile. With 10 minutes to go, I am usually somewhere alone pacing up and down, giving my self a "you can do this" talk.