Samia spent all of her teenage years in Company Three, creating work both as a performer and writer. She gained a place at Sussex University to study International Development and French and will be graduating this summer.

“Company Three means 'freedom', quite simply. I always felt like everyone gets to be their true selves here, which was nice especially when we were growing up and trying to figure ourselves out.”

Segen was a key inspiration for and performer in our production of Brainstorm. She left the company in 2019, but continued to work here as an assistant director, as well as as an associate at Coney. She is currently creating a new show with a group of 8-12 Eritrean young people in Islington, as well as looking after her new baby daughter.

“Company Three taught me the true meaning of theatre.. It gave me the confidence to continue my dream of directing and pushed me to keep going when I thought there was no hope.”

In Sam's first show for Company Three she spoke about how her autism shapes how she sees the world. Since leaving the company she has completed her degree in Fine Art and gained fame as an ambassador and presenter for the charity Ambitious About Autism. Her Channel 4 show Are You Autistic? aired in December 2018.

“It made me fall in love with theatre and the process of creating and making work: the idea that everything that we are taught can be taken into any other sectors.”

Grace was a founder member of Company Three and has taken her passion for theatre into her own work with young people. She is currently the Participation Manager at Hoxton Hall, running theatre sessions for 7-19 year olds.

“Company Three was the start, when I didn't actually know what I was doing. A place I would go weekly, hang out with friends and be a part of something special. I remember the residentials well, it was a chance to be away from your parents, stay up late and make as much noise as possible.”

Kassius joined the company at 14 and was a founder member of the cast of Brainstorm - performing versions of it at Platform, the Royal Albert Hall and Park Theatre. She was cast as Jade Albright in Hollyoaks in 2015 and has since gone on to play roles on TV and film, including a recent episode of A Series of Unfortunate Events on Netflix. Her first play, Moon Stained, was given a rehearsed reading at Theatre Royal Stratford East in 2018.

“I joined the company when I was 14 years old and it gave me the chance to express myself creatively, at a time when I most needed it. The company means a huge amount to me, and I definitely wouldn't be where I am now if it weren't for Company Three. I owe a lot to this company.”

Antione snuck into a selection workshop at his school when he was 12 and has never really left Company Three, continuing to work as an assistant director and all-round inspiration to our current members after leaving. He is an amazing cook and works for a bakery in London. He will be travelling to China to work with young people in 2019.

“Honestly I can't really put it into words - C3 has been the most part of my life. I had my best moments and my worst moments here. This is the place I did all my growth.”

Ben's first show with C3 was at the National Theatre and he went on to play key roles in plays by Ben Ellis and Alice Birch. Ben once designed an entire book of rules for a favourite workshop game - and had it professionally printed! He has an amazing entrepreneurial spirit and now runs his own business and makes his own music

“To me C3 means "learning and growth". The company has grown a lot and so have it’s original members, so it's quite a thing to witness.”

Daniel joined Company Three at 16 to help mentor the younger members, and then became a founder member of our older group. After we twisted his arm into applying on the day of the deadline, he gained a place to study at RADA and immediately after graduating took the lead role in Matyr at the Unicorn Theatre.

“It was all a very random and unexpected journey that I'm happy to have stumbled upon. I was asked to help out during my first year in college and ended up staying several years, mentoring, directing and acting. Eventually, when I was 21 or so, Ned pretty much filled out my RADA application for me due to reluctance on my part. A decision which ultimately shaped the rest of my life. It's cliche but the comapny literally made me who I am today.”

Corey was one of our longest-serving members, appearing in numerous plays and then working as an assistant director and young associate while still a teenager. He has gone on to work with numerous other companies, making his own work as a poet and theatre-maker with his company Splinter.

“It was my home when I had none and a family that provided me with all the love, comfort, acceptance and space that I needed, that saved my life in many ways. I started acting here. I first shared my poetry here; I found the passions that I'm currently latching onto for the long run, right here.”

Aaron first performed in our play Success at the National Theatre's Olivier Theatre and went on to help create numerous other plays and eventually to become a Company Three trustee. After working in banking through an apprenticeship scheme, Aaron has recently been travelling in Mexico and will soon be moving to Berlin to study and start a new business.

“Company Three gave me some of my happiest memories as a teenager and finding like-minded people.”

In early C3 shows, Jake played a singing sailor and a wandering guitarist. He stayed in the company for all of his teenager years before going on to Central School of Speech and Drama and a career in acting. He is working on two new films out this year.

“It was through working with Ned & the many many incredible practitioners at C3 that I really fell in love with making theatre. I doubt I'd be an actor without them. Many of my happiest memories are with this company.”

Charon joined C3 a little later than normal, starting when she was 16 after being recommended by her college. Her time with us included an incredible residential in France. Having graduated from Sussex University, Charon now works for 4Music as a digital producer.

“Company Three means everything! It was the highlight of my time at college, it felt amazing to connect with other like-minded young people, and create amazing work together. I'm so unbelievably proud of everything it was back then and everything it is now.”

Tolu was one of C3’s brightest young performers, performing in plays by writers including Alexandra Wood and Janice Okoh. She was as good at maths as she was at acting, and now works as trained accountant.

“Company Three means everything! C3 is and always will be family to me. It's a reminder of the good memories I had back in the day. It bought me in contact with people I consider life long friends.”

Christelle played a key role in our play Fifteen at the Rosemary Branch Theatre and The Centre at the Pleasance Theatre. She went on to gain a place at the American Academy of Dramatic Art in New York. Now back in London, she is working as an actor and writing her first film.

“Company Three means my career to be honest, being a part of the company made me believe I could pursue this as a career. As cheesy as it is, it means belief.”

Sophie started Company Three aged 11, performed at the National Theatre and in a solo show by Adam Barnard at The Place Theatre. Since leaving the company she trained to become a swimming teacher and lifeguard and also works as a nanny. She is now training to be an orthodontic nurse.

“Company Three means everything! It taught me most things I know for everyday life.”

Sam was part of C3 when he was ten years old and joined our main company a few years later. He’s now studying Chemistry at the University of Sussex and hoping to become a teacher.

“Company Three means community. I met some of the best people & made friends for life.”

Rochelle became part of the company later in her teenage years, and also worked as a director and assistant with our younger groups. Since leaving, she has gone on to forge a successful acting career, including shows at the Lyric Hammersmith and Gate Theatre.

“Company Three means community, theatre, opportunities for growth and learning. Respected young artists. Looking at your community to foster the next generation of great minds. Engaging with all aspects of creativity in the community.”

While in the company - and since - Angie took on more roles than almost anyone in Company Three’s history. She’s been a performer, director, stage manager, young associate, sound designer, facilitator and now our very own Administrator and Projects Co-ordinator. Between being a member and returning as staff, she squeezed in a degree in Drama at the University of East Anglia, writing her first play and doing numerous other freelance theatre jobs.

“C3 has helped shape my career path and has helped me learn about different aspects of the theatre industry. I have met amazing people and have been given the opportunity to work with young people in the company. All the past and present staff members at the company have been a pivotal support in helping me grow and understand what I want to do.”

Larrissa was twelve years old when she joined Company Three. She spent eight years with the company and went on to do a foundation course in acting at Rose Bruford. She’s currently working in retail and auditioning for drama schools.

“Company Three is where I finally found my love for acting but also where I found myself. As a foreigner in a new country, even after 3 years of living in London I still didn't feel like I belonged anywhere. C3 gave me that feeling. I will never forget my C3 family.”

Silé started out as part of C3’s writers’ group, Speakeasy, performing poetry and writing plays. When we merged the writers with the core company, she started performing on stage. After completing her degree at Goldsmiths, she’s now a marketing and communications officer at the Publishers Association.

“Company Three means so much, it's hard to put into words the place that helped me find an outlet for my creativity when I needed it most.”

Jodie’s first show as part of C3 was the NT Connections play It Snows. In it she played a girl falling in love on snow day. Many years later and Jodie is now a wonderful mum to a little girl, with another on the way.

“Company Three means the world to me because it gave me the confidence that I have and cherish now”

Millie performed in numerous shows during her time with Company Three and now works as a producer at the documentary film company Silverfish films.

“Company Three is great memories! It's gaining confidence and learning about yourself whilst making great friends. It's about feeling included and being part of a team all working towards one performance together.”

After years of performing in Company Three plays, Megan was inspired to begin a career as a costume designer: she’s now in her third year studying Costume Design at the Arts University Bournemouth.

“Company Three means such an amazing opportunity to meet new people and experience things I otherwise wouldn't have! Lots of memories I won't forget anytime soon.”

Ned founded Company Three in late 2008. Back then we worked with 25 young people on a Monday night - with Ned doing all the administration from his living room. Ten years on and we’re got an office, and staff, and a load of ambitious plans for the future.

“I would never have imagined back then that we’d get so far. So much of that is down to the passion, commitment and kindness of the hundreds of young people who’ve been part of the company. It’s incredibly special to look back on all things we’ve achieved in the last decade - and to look forward to the next ten years too.”