Picture this: it’s the middle of winter, we’re well-set into the routine of dark mornings, dark afternoons and freezing temperatures outside. Summer is a distant memory and the springtime coming seems like a fairy-tale that’s just out of reach from the offices of our PR agency in ‘sunny’ Sheffield.

It was during this time I decided to up my game and join a musical theatre group – I’m always looking for ways I can be an ever-more creative PR and it’s something I have always wanted to do. I finally took the brave step to head to the middle of Nether Edge one November evening for the official annual Meet & Greet of Southey Musical Theatre Company.

That was it. I was hooked. I’ve never really been a fan of running…or gyms…or fitness classes. I walk a lot, I dance occasionally and I love to swim – but I was after something engaging, social and totally new to keep me busy outside of my role as an account executive at MK, a PR firm in Yorkshire.

We rehearse two to three times a week and it’s not only a great opportunity to sing and dance, but it’s so far been an opportunity to build my network further – Southey is certainly an eclectic bunch of people, and I’ve met people from both Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield, employees of creative branding agencies based in Sheffield City Region and even a Hallam FM journalist.

People often ask me how I find the time; our rehearsals are late and I don’t exactly live near to Sheffield centre – but I never really struggle to find the energy. When you love what you do day-to-day, and combine that with prancing around in an old church hall for five hours a week – it’s fairly easy to understand why I’m so enthused.

Joining Southey has proven to be one of the best things I’ve done; when I started my journey in PR back in June 2016, I stated that I wanted to build my confidence, resilience and creativity. My MK journey so far has certainly tested me in all of these areas, and it’s great to have these skills further trialled each and every week at Southey – I’m certainly seeing the difference in both my personal and professional life.

So if you’re ever debating as to whether you should go for something, my advice is YES! A friend of mine always says: “Never wish I had” – which is something I remind myself of each and every day.

Sticking with the musical theme, I leave you with a quote from Broadway sensation, Hamilton…for the next time you’re not sure whether you should go for something:

“I am the one thing in life I can control, I am inimitable and I am original.”

We’ll be performing Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at Sheffield’s Montgomery Theatre May 10^th – 13^th.