Which is more nerve wracking: an audition for a Netflix series or RAD ballet exams?
They’re both very nerve wracking. To be honest, I always feel there’s a little pressure with ballet, because my sister Jessica is a big inspiration for me – she’s an amazing ballerina. I do feel quite stressed going into ballet exams – especially doing pirouettes!
My auditions for Wednesday were actually very enjoyable. It was a great opportunity to play around with the character, and to get an idea of Tim Burton and Alan Miles’ [respectively, director and showrunner] vision of her. I was trying to make the most of that opportunity.
Agnes DeMille was also the name of a major 20th century choreographer – how did you start building the character?
I did recognise her name, and when the dance aspect of her character came into play, I was like: this can’t be a coincidence.
Initially, I made a mood board of the character, which I always do, blurting out all of my ideas. I also watched a lot of old movies for inspiration, anything with a quirky character: Jack Nicholson in The Shining and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. Anything where I could pull up some unhinged energy.
Agnes is an interesting character – she was certainly fun to play. I love how layered she is – she has quite a complex family situation in her background, which was really interesting to explore. She desperately wants to form a connection with people, because maybe that’s something that she lacked at home. She’s quite insecure at heart.
And you got to dance with Lady Gaga – what was that like?
It’s so surreal, I’m pinching myself. Gaga is very lovely, down to earth, incredibly talented. I was so lucky to get to work with her. Tim Burton is also amazing. I was a big fan of all of his work – The Corpse Bride, Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice, all of the universes he creates. He has very calm energy. Stepping onto a big set like that, my first job on that scale and that magnitude, it was nice to have someone calm and easy to talk to.
How did dance enter your life?
My mum was a professional figure skater, so I think creativity and artistry run in our blood. A lot of my passion for dance is down to my sister [Jessica, a medal winner at the Genée in 2019, and now with Finnish National Ballet]. I was following and joining in at the back of classes, and then suddenly realised this is very fun, something I wanted to be part of my life.
The moment where I discovered that this was definitely what I wanted to do with my life was my opening night for Les Misérables in the West End when I was 10 or 11 years old, which was an incredible introduction to the industry. The energy you get from performing is so electric and addictive, and I don’t think you can replicate that atmosphere anywhere else.
What did your RAD ballet training give you?
It gave me a lot of dedication. When you think about it, dance is very similar to acting. It’s all about telling a story, and it’s only your role if you put a bit of yourself into it. Having an understanding of your body is also very important when you trying to embody a character.
Evie, why does dance matter to you?
Dance is a lovely way to feel free and as a creative outlet, a way of expressing yourself. I’ve met a lot of my closest friends from dance or from workshops or acting jobs. Dance brings people with similar interests together, and they get to grow with and support each other. With dance, it’s about losing yourself. You can forget all your struggles and just lose yourself in the music and movement. It’s a big part of my life.
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Hear the full interview with Evie Templeton
