Local artist profile: James Forbes

This week we chat with Girton Grammar’s James Forbes, who says practice is vital for any performer, and that is done by giving yourself as many opportunities to learn as you can.

What initially motivated you to take up stage performing?

My family has a history of involvement in the performing arts with my father being drama captain when he was in high school and my mother who performed stage and close-up magic for 30-plus years. I have performing in my blood, you could say. This led me to be curious enough to see why my parents were so crazy about performing and once I realised why it’s so wonderful, I haven’t stopped.

How would you describe your performance style?

I try to continuously develop my style and adapt to the various characters I play and stories to be told. Usually, it comes down to understanding who I’m trying to portray and then delivering a performance that the audience believes. When creating a character, I really aim to put myself in their position and think about what their life may look like if they were a real person. From there it becomes a fun game of roleplay – figuring out who the character is, what makes them tick, how they react to certain scenarios – which I quite enjoy.

Which other performers inspire you?

When it comes to big names in inspiration, Christian Bale’s work is outstanding. Although he performs for screens and can be extreme at times, the way he is able to represent such a wide range of characters convincingly with their own personalities and quirks is one of the most inspiring aspects of his work in my opinion. Another inspiring performer is a friend of mine, Scott Middleton. Being a professional actor, his knowledge on drama and tricks within the industry are not only clever but incredible. He has an immense passion for performing and is so creative with concepts for characters or even entire shows which has certainly inspired my performing.

What are some highlights you have from your young career so far?

Admittedly, I do adore the classic works of Shakespeare and their versatility for adaptations. So, having the opportunity to play Romeo while set in 1980s Las Vegas was a dream come true. This adaptation allowed for plenty of musical opportunities too, which gave me the chance to sing “Feeling Good” in front of the largest crowd I’ve ever sung to – scary but very glad I did it.

Do you have any performances coming up?

I have the role of Prince Eric in Girton’s production of The Little Mermaid, which will be on stage June 19 to 21. It’s a fabulous story about finding belonging in an expansive world with themes of discovery, love, betrayal, and finding your feet in unknown waters. Tickets are available now at GoTix with all three nights selling quickly.

What would you say to young regional aspiring performers who are thinking of making a go of the creative life?

Put simply, keep creating. There is no limit to your creativity so explore every avenue of it. Try different characters, join a drama group, practise a monologue, find any excuse to create and perform. Just as with any other skill, practice is vital for performers and that is done by giving yourself as many opportunities to learn as you can. Performing is an art that takes time to hone and improve. And if you feel stupid while you’re performing, then you’re doing it right.