KYLE THORNE on how Cardboard Citizens, a theatre company that works with homeless people, led him to the Roundhouse, a charitable arts venue, where he is learning to act for film and theatre

I was born in London and, when I was 12, I was shipped to Trinidad to live with my dad. I came back when I was 16 and went to college. But I didn’t enjoy staying with my mum and, when I was 18, I got kicked out of home. I’d stay with my cousin or at friends’ houses. I didn’t really see it as being homeless, but for about two months I was on the street sleeping rough. It was cruddy.

I went to a hostel where I met Cardboard Citizens and did some acting workshops. The leaders had all been homeless themselves. They had had the same experience.

I had thought about acting – I like making other people laugh. I’d done school plays in Trinidad and teachers had said I should be an actor, but I’d never seen it as something I could do as a job. They introduced me to the Roundhouse where I did a week-long course. We learnt acting skills and put on a play. The director helped us. It was all new for me. We performed Shakespearean sonnets using street language. We used improvisation, reciting his work and mixing it with our own poems as well. Instead of saying “Oh my lord” we’d say “Yo, what’s going on?” Whoever didn’t want to act could help with lighting or production. They paid our travel expenses and gave us lunch.

I write lyrics and poetry so I’d perform work that I’d written before. I used to work in my room, but the Roundhouse is a chance to bring it out. I’m also doing the acting for film project – we learn about camera angles and film our work as we go along. I would like to make films.

On Fridays I do poetry classes. When I was younger my friends used to rap on buses. I would write but never speak it. Now I’m getting to say it – there are loads of opportunities to perform.

I’ve never learnt anything at school. I have no qualifications. I come here because I want to be here. It’s a relaxed environment. If there’s an audition, then I’ll be there. I like becoming someone, researching and pretending. I’ve got a great imagination and I want to use it. The hostel has nominated me for my own flat. Hopefully in a few months I’ll be out. If I’d found the Roundhouse years ago I’d have been much better off. I’m trying to take everything I can from it

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