Michael Ahomka-Lindsay: 'If you feel lost, you’re probably in the right place – on your own path'

My first job was playing Benny in Rent at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, a role that I had seen on Spotlight. I’d decided to start my membership early – in the first term of my final year – just to scope out what was out there, maybe put myself forward for something that I thought looked interesting. And that’s exactly what happened

Rent is one of those modern classics that I’ll never get enough of. The casting director contacted me directly for a tape. Then about 10 days later, I had a seriously affirming week when I signed with my agents Olivia Bell Management and got a recall.

I felt more excited than nervous at the audition. It was just exciting that I’d started putting myself out there. I understood not to be expectant, but my perspective was to audition the room and make some positive impressions even if I didn’t book the job.

The real nerves hit when the job started. Suddenly I had to follow through and my self-belief was tested – the imposter-syndrome voices enter the chat. On day one though, we had a read and sing-through of the whole show and everyone’s talent and individuality started to ease me up. There’s no right and wrong in the room – you’re either expressing yourself or you aren’t.

It’s easy to be self-critical in retrospect. But if I had to change anything, I would encourage my younger self to shed the need to be something other than what I am. Only then would I find artistry.

Artistry is individual. My advice to others is: don’t seek the end/the product, be on a journey flowing with yourself and the directions of your passions. If you feel a bit lost, you’re probably in the right place, because you’re on a path no one else has taken – your own.

CV Michael Ahomka-Lindsay

Training: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Theatre includes: Reverberation (Bristol Old Vic); Cabaret (Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre); Disney’s Newsies (Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre); Choir Boy (Bristol Old Vic); Legally Blonde (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); Rent (Hope Mill Theatre); To the Streets! (Birmingham Hippodrome); The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (UK/Ireland Tour)
Agent: Olivia Bell Management

Michael Ahomka-Lindsay is in Death and the King’s Horseman at Sheffield Theatres from February 3-8