Since joining Zest in 2019, Lachlan has truly embodied the spirit of dedication and growth. Starting with our youth cast, he quickly became an integral part of our creative community, contributing to a wide range of Zest projects and continually sharpening his craft. Lachlan embraces each Future Proof conversation as an opportunity to learn, grow, and inspire others, while ensuring he and the group support Zest’s mission.
Lachlan has contributed to the following projects:
Youthquake (2019/20)
*untitled (2020)
Never Was A Normal (2021)
Refresh Lincoln (2021)
The Forum (2022/23)
Future Proof (2020-present)
Based in Lincolnshire, Lachlan met with Adam Perkins on Thursday, October 31st, and Tuesday, November 12th, to explore and share his journey with Zest.
How did you get involved with Zest Theatre?
‘While studying Performing Arts in 2019, Zest Theatre came into our college to prepare for their upcoming show, Youthquake.
’Zest ran workshops with us, leading to our putting a show together. The show became Youthquake, and we toured across the country. After Youthquake, I worked as a facilitator for Lincoln Refresh. This was just towards the end of COVID when Zest moved on to create public artwork, as theatre work was not viable at this time. Everyone who was a part of Youthquake was invited to join Future Proof, which became Zest's official youth advisory board. Since then, they've not been able to get rid of me!’
What motivated you to join the Future Proof team with Zest Theatre?
‘I’d seen some of Zest’s work before and was motivated to get involved. After working with Zest on Youthquake and seeing what incredible outreach work they were creating, I wanted to work with them. As a young, creative person living in Lincoln, where, unfortunately, there weren’t rich cultural opportunities compared with other regions, I knew that I had to value and develop my connection with Zest Theatre. It was important for me to nurture these connections and support pathways into the arts industry.
‘After Refresh Lincoln, I wasn’t ready to leave Zest, and when Toby discussed the concept of Future Proof with us, I knew this was a great chance to continue these connections and work in an industry that had otherwise been abandoned at the time. I also couldn’t see friends and family during the Covid lockdown, and the Future Proof virtual calls were a lifeline in maintaining a connection with everyone and the industry.’
In what ways has your involvement with Zest Theatre influenced your career path?
‘At such a young age, the opportunities that were immediately available to me were incredibly encouraging and motivating. I had stepped away from acting for a little while, experiencing rejections here and there, and I felt I couldn’t deal with it. I was feeling a vain melancholy with nothing to do and that it was a waste of time, but then Zest came along, being so quick to embrace you with a push just to keep going that bit longer.
‘I applied to work at The Zone with Zest, but an opportunity came up to work with the Nottingham Shakespeare Company at the same time. I could work with this familiar opportunity with Zest, or I could just push myself a bit further and go back to acting, which I could really enjoy. Having that moment to consider them both while reflecting on the work I’d achieved with Zest, alongside an encouraging call with Adam at Zest, helped me make a professional choice.
‘When we have our Future Proof calls, and everybody’s spit balling loads of fabulous ideas, I feel so inspired. With shared perspectives, I realise that the only thing that is stopping me is myself, so there’s no point sitting around and thinking there’s nothing for me to do because there is; you’re just not doing it.’
How have your experiences with Zest Theatre benefited you personally?
‘Oh, wow, massively. My views on life and politics have changed from the previous perceptions I’d taken influence from when I was younger. Working with Zest, with Future Proof and at my current job with The Drill, I work with people from different cultural backgrounds and identities and I’ve developed more approachable and inclusive skills.
‘Working with people with different sexual identities allowed me to comfortably understand my own, as I’d previously kept these thoughts at arm’s length due to my fears around them.
‘I ended up coming out as bi-sexual after a Refresh Lincoln workshop; I just dropped that bombshell on Toby. Listening to younger people discuss sexuality allowed me to consider, what’s all the drama about; it’s not that deep. This was a profound session for me, and I questioned why did that strike me as much as it did. I looked at all the previous things that happened in my life to that point, and I thought, hang on a minute, that would make sense for me, too: someone else had shared that experience, and I can now own it myself.
‘Another personal benefit has been how I interact with people as I now understand who I feel comfortable around. Spending so much time with different people through Zest has been socially nurturing for me and I now feel able to either express that to them or withdraw myself from that situation.’
Could you share any standout moments, stories or achievements with Zest Theatre?
‘During Refresh Lincoln, a young boy shared that he felt there wasn’t any point in sharing anything because nobody listens anyway. We put his quote on one of the banners down the waterside, and when he saw that we’d chosen and printed his quote during his school tour, he just gunned for it! He was absolutely thrilled to see that this had been put on a banner for everybody to see, and for him to see that his voice had been shared.
‘After the Refresh Lincoln workshops, we would debrief. Toby once mentioned ‘Cool Kid Toby,’ and we discussed how adapting our energy for different groups can benefit the young people we work with. This skill has developed through experience that I have explored within my managerial role, but also, when working as an actor as you can assimilate your energy and character with a group without being too little or too much. With a cast, we need to feed off each other’s energy, especially before we work with an audience, and we can bring each other up to a level to keep driving that motion and motivation. Bringing this energy for outdoor shows is even more necessary to carry and amplify our energy, as we usually have little to work within the space.
’With these skills, I feel I can help others find a platform to speak and be heard.’
