From production to performances and comedy to collaborations: Nahal Ashrafi wants to explore it all
- Written byRakhi Sachdev
- Published date 24 January 2023
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Nahal Ashrafi first started out in the performance industry at 18, both behind the scenes and on stage. After studying acting at college for 3 years, she immersed herself heavily in the opportunities that were provided to her in her local town of Guildford and around London, working in theatre companies, Magazines, Film and on commercials and campaigns, for the likes of Public Health England, music videos, World Health Organisation and Fashion brands, all before moving into production.
During the lockdown period, Nahal began her degree at Wimbledon College of Arts to study Acting and Performance, Joining the degree during this time posed its challenges, with having to work online and conduct Zoom performances. Yet it also gave her the opportunity to think creatively and outside the box.
Nahal speaks to how she was able to gain further knowledge of processes behind the camera, specifically script writing, producing, and directing. This proved helpful post-lockdown as all of the script writing was able to come to good use for when she was able to do live, in-person performances. With everyone being in the same position and having no choice but to be innovative, it allowed for new ideas to be generated across the year group.
“Being online was really tough; you just had to come up with new creative and innovative ways to perform within the walls of your living space. [Yet] it allowed us to think outside the box- we'd never been in that position where we had to create 1-2 hour pieces just through the screen. It was challenging but fun.”
One of her final year performances focused on the women in Shakespeare who never got much credit where it was due for the iconic roles they played within Shakespeare’s work.
“We honed in on the stories we know and love but specifically focused on bringing the women's voices within Shakespeare's plays to life. The women essentially held these plays together, and were the core of the storyline but were never remembered by. By dissecting these characters; (for me it’s Emilia from Othello) we were able to dive into really resonating with these females and giving them the life they deserved."
Akin to Carol Churchill’s Top Girls, they are putting all of the character’s in one room, sitting around a large table (think, Last Supper, Nahal says) and allowing for their own improvised creative monologues to unfold into a conversational piece.
Nahal also talks about where her interest lies in acting and where she sees herself going post degree:
“As much as I love theatre, one of the main things I love to focus on is film and television; I’m a big fan of working on mini-series and short series - short film.”
“I am leaning towards being a dark comedic actor, I think I've been able to really find my feet with what suits my acting and what doesn't. Breaking the 4th wall and communicating with the audience is something I thoroughly enjoy. I love dry humour, I love catching audience off-guard. I'd hate for my style to be predictable or type casted. Shows like The Office and flea bag are my style. But also really contrasting films like Pulp fiction and Girl Interrupted are other avenues I like to explore. In my first year I did a short film, (a parody version of) ‘72 questions with Vogue’, where I broke out of my character and spoke to the audience, made them uncomfortable and allowed the silence in the room to feel full. I love doing stuff like that."
"I recently just finished a short 15 minute film for our second to last final year unit, that was very personal to me. the film surrounded Iranian women in a diaspora context."