Alumni
James Hansen
Age: 22
Current Occupation and Country of Residence:
Actor working in both USA and England
Tell us your Faust Story!
I first started Faust way back on September 25th 1999, which coincidentally was
when Faust itself had just started. I was part of Faust from when I was 7 years
old until I was 18 years old. My first role was Augustus Gloop in
Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory and my final role was Rev. Parris in
The Crucible. I also
worked as a student leader from 2008 onwards and helped out with the
summer courses until 2011.
What is your earliest Faust memory?
My earliest Faust memory is from that first production of
Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory or as I viewed it, The Augustus Gloop Show, I remember valiantly
trying to upstage everyone and milking my fall into the chocolate river for all
it was worth, as well as discovering that actually I quite liked all this attention
and that perhaps I would continue with all this acting malarkey.
What is your favorite Faust memory?
That’s a tough one, I actually have to say that nothing has ever beat the sensation of being hoisted into the air wearing a full body dog costume and flying to Neverland every night.
What was your biggest challenge in participating and leading in drama workshops and productions?
The first one was getting the confidence to do things like going onstage and putting yourself out there, I think this was
a huge challenge to begin with. My biggest challenge after that though was heading in the other direction, learning
not to upstage people and to let others have opportunities and space to do their own thing. Basic humility essentially
was what I lacked and had to discover for myself.
What did you gain from your experience at Faust as a student and as a Leader?
I really can’t answer that satisfactorily because Faust has been a part of my world for so long that I have very little sense
of who I was/am without Faust. It gave me confidence, it gave me some of my best friends, it gave me responsibility,
it gave me skills, and it gave me my vocation. Most of my fondest childhood memories happened at Faust. I think
I can say with confidence that if I hadn’t gone to Faust that September in 1999 I would be unrecognizable from
the person that I am today.
How did studying Drama and Theatre impact your life?
It effectively took over my life. My choice of university was shaped by which ones had the best theatre programs and
then at university I took part in over 20 shows over a 3-year period. I applied and got in to the Bristol Old Vic Theatre
School and have just graduated with a Masters degree in Professional Acting.
What was the most valuable piece of advice you got from a director /
leader at Faust?
What sticks out in my mind is learning to come up with your own ideas as an
actor. You need to exercise your own creativity as an artist. The reason a
play comes together is because everyone contributes creatively and helps
to form a final product.
How would you describe Faust to someone new to drama and theatre?
The best way to get into the arts, but more than that, a great way to gain
confidence, to make lifelong friends and discover your passion.
