From waiting tables in London, to completing his degree at a prestigious New York school, Rondebosch-born actor Kevin Terwin is working his way to stardom.
The actor, who recently graduated from the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, now works as a performer in New York.
He recently appeared as Ferdinand in The Tempest, a play produced by Shakesperience Productions, and will next be seen in their upcoming production of Radium Girls.
Kevin recently came home to Cape Town for a week to visit his family and told the Tatler about his acting journey and his life and adventures abroad.
The 23-year-old performer grew up in Rondebosch and attended Bishops before moving to a boarding school in Somerset West where he said he became serious about acting. He then left home after matriculating and headed to London to look for opportunity.
“I initially applied at UCT and two weeks before I was going to start there, I decided not to. I just felt that there was something waiting for me. I wanted to give acting a proper shot. So I decided to move to London. I grew up watching TV and thought I would move to London to try and find an agent and it would take a couple of months.
“It obviously didn’t end up that way. I lived in London for two years and the attended London School of Dramatic Art (LSDA) for a year. I had to do a lot of growing up in London. I got a job working for a catering company and we did cool events like movie premières and the Queen’s tea party,” said Kevin.
All his colleagues at the catering company were actors who became his friends and helped him to get auditions. Midway through his second year in London, he auditioned for Stellar Adler and two weeks later he got called and was told that he made the cut.
“I thought I would miss the audition because I got the wrong name and pitched up at the wrong place. I didn’t get a chance to rehearse, but the adrenalin helped because I was running and catching a taxi,” said Kevin, recalling the incident.
Although he is currently staying in New York, Kevin said that with an actors earnings, you cannot afford stay on your own, so he currently shares a living space with others which he said is fun and adds to the electricity that is New York.
“There is a pulse to the city. There is something about the lights and all the theatres. There is approximately 40 Broadway theatres, its incredible to me. Its a place where if you want, you can do anything. I’m working as an arts administrator for Stellar Adler and I’m auditioning on my off days.
“In future I would like to head out to Los Angeles where movies and film are focused on,” said Kevin.
His advice to upcoming actors looking to make their fame, is to act on their dreams and not put it off for a few years. He also advised young actors to create their own work to showcase their talent.
“If you want to put on a play, write it. Nowadays that’s how people get noticed and pick up new work. The best and most honest work is often produced that way,” he said.
