From City of Westminster College to Rose Bruford College, and beyond, Kaiaa Shepnekhi-Boston shares her journey into theatre and social change.
You studied the UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts at City of Westminster College. What drew you to the course?
I’ve always been a performer; it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I used to sing with my mum at church, and growing up I’d usually be involved in creative community festivals. What really drew me to the course at CWC was that it brought singing, dancing and acting all in one place. The college was also really accessible for me, just a bus ride away.
College taught me to strive for being more than just an actor and be curious about the writing and directing process too. Then, university taught me how to actually achieve that.
You’re now close to graduating from Rose Bruford College. Tell us about your final project.
My final project was an independent piece which required us to write, produce and perform our own work. My project is called Flourishing Distortion. It’s a 45-minute one-woman show that incorporates aerial hoops and explores how different people and spaces influence how we present ourselves and choose the different ‘masks’ that we wear.
What’s next for your career? What drives you forward creatively?
I want to continue making my own work. Right now, for example, I have my eyes on the Bush Theatre which has a reputation for supporting new creatives. I’d like to further develop my final performance Flourishing Distortion and submit it to them and other similar venues so I can reach wider audiences. I’m also working on a short film exploring the idea of 'whimsy': what it means for both individuals and communities, told through a Black lens.
In terms of what drives me forward, I care a lot about community and intentional positivity. I believe joy is a radical act, and activism is best nurtured when we hold space and patience for one another. It’s about giving, sharing and creating without always expecting something in return. For example, I host “rest days” at my house, where people operating in creative and activist spaces can just slow down and reconnect. I think softer ways of living are really important, especially in a world that can feel overwhelming. Stress is one of the biggest challenges we face, and I want my work to counter that.
What advice would you give to current students thinking about further study in theatre and social change?
Don’t limit yourself. Take every opportunity you can and apply for everything. You’ll get a lot of rejections, sure, but it only takes one “yes” to change your life. Networking is also so crucial for this industry. My personal tip is to give genuine compliments off the bat. It’s a great way to break the ice and connect with people authentically.
Finally, what are you most excited about for the future?
Ultimately, I’d love to start my own production company. As much as I am keen to keep creating my own work, I’m really excited about emerging artists and the current creative scene. I want to use my growing network to help others access opportunities and actually mobilise their ideas, rather than sit with them wondering what to do next.