Today we’d like to introduce you to Francesca Bolam

Hi Francesca, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

I started performing from a very young age, initially in a classical choir when I was 6. I was definitely the shy kid who sang like a little mouse but was constantly encouraged by my choir director and accompanist to “sing out.” I went from barely moving my mouth to singing solos. When I was in my teens I fell in love with Musical Theatre and started training in that and taking workshops in London with actors on the West End. I moved to the states in 2012 after being accepted to study at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in LA and NYC. I later attended The New School for Public Engagement where I gained my BFA in Theatre. All of these dynamic experiences have definitely helped shape who I am today and constantly influence my work. From conversations about working class Northern England, to being an immigrant in a different place I call home, to relationships and womanhood and everything in between.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

I wouldn’t call it smooth hahaha, but I will say the universe has always got my back. I definitely didn’t do anything in a traditional way, I went to Drama School, I moved countries, I worked jobs that just managed to pay the rent, I took a hiatus from creating anything, I nearly moved to South Africa and then I found beauty in creating my own work based on my own experiences. This industry can be one big struggle, finding the motivation to constantly put yourself forward and often times face rejection with zero explanation is hard. I don’t come from a wealthy family and I live in one of the most expensive cities in the world. It’s a challenge to maintain the determination and vitality to create for sure.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I’m a writer, actor, director and producer. I specialize in Theatre and have written many plays which have shown Off Broadway at venues such as Theatre Row, The Vino Theatre, The Players Theatre, Court Square Theatre and 13Th St Rep. As a performer I have featured in many musicals, plays, poetry readings, concerts and recently dipped my toes into TV and Film. I think I am most proud of my ability to get sh**t done. I often work on quite a tight turnaround and are constantly surprised at what I am able to accomplish. I’ve been told I am relentless and I think that might be my super power, I never take no for an answer no matter how many times I have to recreate, redetermine and put one foot in front of the other.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?

COVID-19 forced me to look outside of the box. In 2020 I had a residency, a play going up and multiple performing opportunities that were all cancelled when the world and industry shut down. It really played havoc on the entertainment industry. During that time in quarantine, I wrote “Untitled Monologues” which was an exploration of women in therapy and my first digital play. I think it was one of the best experiences I’ve had, not only writing for a different medium but also having to learn editing and sound software in order for it to be what I wanted it to be all in the middle of a global pandemic when I hadn’t seen a human being in weeks.

Francesca Bolam recently workshopped and was a producer on the show E.G.G written by Emile Aslan Lacheny, which played at The Tank theatre in NYC. She also originated the role of Joanna hit play “How to Brexit Gracefully” by Cameron Darwin Bossert (Thirdwing) at Chain Theatre NYC.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.francescabolam.com
• Instagram: @francescabolam

Image Credits

Meg Schmidt
Lydia Darly
Omer Kaplan