We were lucky to catch up with Harriet Bridgwater recently and have shared our conversation below.

Harriet, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The moment I realised I wanted to do this was when I was 11. I did a school production of “the lion, the witch and the wardrobe.” By C.S Lewis, playing Lucy. I realised my love of inhabiting different characters and losing myself in the world of plays. My drama teacher Mr Brough was very inspiring and treated us all like professional practitioners from a young age. And made me feel like this was a possible career path, with the respect he had for it and for me as a young aspiring actor. All I knew from that point was I loved acting so I did as much as I could. Play festivals, exams and youth groups. Anything I could – Greek classics like “Antigone” , by Sophocles , contemporary British plays like “Road” by Jim Cartwright and PLENTY of Shakespeare. It took a while to realise that acting was “actually a job”. Growing up I didn’t know anyone who worked in the arts, it definitely wasn’t the norm and I felt judged if I said it was what I wanted to be. It wasn’t until 15 when I became a member of the National Youth Theatre when I felt that this career path was a real possibility. Meeting young creatives from all over the UK, a whole world opened up for me. Collaborating throughout the pandemic and discussing industry with people in it was so valuable. The first time I got paid for acting blew my mind, I did an immersive theatre experience and I remember thinking how did I get paid for this ? This is actually something I want to do! Those were the most rewarding pounds I’ve ever earned.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Harriet Bridgwater, I am an actress based in LA , originally from Devon in the UK. I have a grounded training in theatre, completing a University of Arts London, Extended diploma in Performing and Production Arts with distinction. I have had the pleasure of in depth study of the methods of , Stanislavsky and Stella Adler. I now act for stage and screen. Also writing and producing my own work as a creative, collaborating with the new generation of filmmakers.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My lifelong goal as an actor is to portray characters that reflect real life people. In meaningful projects that constantly challenge me. In films that are authentic and have heart, with inspired teams that have a collective vision. To move people regardless of genre and medium. I found through parody youtube videos, I can bring a sense of truth in ludicrous comedy. I love acting in indie films, because often they are passion projects with a deep character focus, and encouraging new scripts and ideas. Such as “Spotlight On Love” , my directorial debut, written by Arthur Bastos, which was an ode to theatre and the vulnerability of actors. Taking on other artistic roles in producing my own work, with a message I really want to spread has been a privilege. Such as in a solo show I wrote, produced and started in about the rebellious life of Emmeline Pankhurst; a militant Suffragette leader; Setting off a bomb in a politician’s house. The message was that (despite her extreme means she never hurt anyone) that she knew it took sacrifice and fight for a better world and for her daughters she was willing to do whatever it took. After performing this I knew I wanted to produce more of my own work. So I set up a production company with a fellow actor and friend Carolina Liz called “Lunar11”. Together we wrote and are producing the film, “Crazy Bitch!” – which will be entering festivals in the fall. The film is about societal conditioning on female rage. Young women (in particular teenage girls) are told we’re overly emotional, when we express ourselves and our boundaries. In this film we give space for two separate leading women. The premise centres around of our outrageous brainchild of – if we could react how we actually wanted, how would we? Self doubt and gaslighting is a main theme. When there’s multiple voices counteracting your natural instinct, it’s difficult to know which way is up and all you need is one person’s support to change everything. I want to share my mission; through networking and collaborating in this industry , I can support other actors and creatives, which had been a real honour. My mission to achieve a truthful performance even in heightened circumstances is something I want to take through my whole career as I constantly push myself to do, throughout more challenging projects.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Definitely! One book that has been incredibly significant to me is Steven Bartlett’s book “Happy , Sexy, Millionaire.” He is also originally from Devon. It is a great tool book of how to conduct yourself in business and professionally and to aim high and commit to what you want . But most importantly its ethos is a reminder not to aim for superficial, unsustainable rewards. To be viewed as a “happy, sexy, millionaire” but what is it you really want. Not fame, exterior beauty or to be seen as “successful” but to be content, to love your work , to treat others well and to feel fulfilled. Leaving to another country at 18 and especially LA, I didn’t want to get caught in a superficial culture of image and falsity. So this book has been such an important physical representation of what I remind myself of, if I ever feel lost or not good enough.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://app.castingnetworks.com/talent/public-profile/968c77b0-53e5-11ed-a65b-47ec3c102d1e
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrietbridgwater?igsh=YTQwZjQ0NmI0OA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080048349396&mibextid=AEUHqQ
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@harrietbridgwater8476
• Other: https://app.castingnetworks.com/talent/public-profile/968c77b0-53e5-11ed-a65b-47ec3c102d1e

Image Credits
John Palmer Edwards Exeter College