FROM performing to her family in her nan’s garden as a youngster to playing in front of sold-out crowds at one of London’s largest theatres, Hollie Jane Stephens is aiming for the very top.
The 27-year-old from Stairfoot has already travelled the world thanks to her musical and dancing exploits - even performing on the same stage as music juggernauts Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.
She’s now performing at The Bridge Theatre in London in the show Guys and Dolls, but it all started in her nan’s back garden when she was just a young girl.
She told the Chronicle: “When I was a little girl I used to just go to dance classes as something to do.
“I got into competitions and started doing my exams - I just fell in love with it.
“It became apparent that this was something I wanted to spend my life doing.
“I used to put on shows in my nan’s back garden and it just went from there.”
After attending Bird College in Sidcup, opportunities for Hollie came in thick and fast - and she even travelled to Germany to perform in The Starlight Express in Bochum.
But she’s now settled in London and is excited to make a career in the capital.
“My first ever amateur show was Beauty and the Beast at the Lamproom Theatre - I’m not ashamed to say that I was a dancing napkin,” she added.
“My first professional show was as a dancer between Michael Ball and Alfie Boe.
“I was blown away that I was able to be on stage with them - it was an iconic moment for me.
“I’ve done my spell abroad now and I love it here in London - I see my life here.
“It’s a really exciting time - I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
Currently a ‘swing’ in Guys and Dolls - meaning she has to know six separate roles and could be brought in at any moment - Hollie said she’s excited to continue to perform in front of 1,000 people each night.
“I have an incredible agent and he knows exactly what I want and where I want to go,” she added.
“Auditions come up all the time and when I saw Guys and Dolls I knew it was something I wanted to do.
“I’ve worked in Germany, I’ve done several UK tours where we’re in a different venue each night, so I knew I wanted to stay in London.
“I got the first audition and then after another couple of rounds I was told I had been successful.
“I found out in September and had to wait until the release in January - it was hard not to tell anybody.
“We’re only a week into our runs so there’s still a lot of time left for the production.”
The show is available to book until August 31.
