Breaking Through: Rebecca Metcalf Cortese on Acting, Directing, and Making Her Own Opportunities
Italian-born Rebecca Metcalf Cortese, a skilled actor, writer, and director, graduated from East15’s MA Acting program in 2023, a year marked by significant disruptions in the acting industry. Rebecca talks about how she navigated these challenges and worked to establish herself in the industry following the COVID-19 pandemic and the SAG-AFTRA strikes, which forced theatre closures, halted productions, and led to financial strains across the entertainment sector. She recently wrote, produced, and performed Sl*t Confessions for Brighton Fringe and is set to make her directorial debut with the short film Intrusive Thoughts, exploring OCD through surrealism. With collaborations alongside Hazal Aztekin and other artists, plus a creator’s residency at Temper Theatre, Rebecca continues to evolve as a versatile and promising force in the arts, adapting to an ever-changing creative landscape.
How has acting been for you since graduating from drama school? Has anything surprised you about the transition into the professional world?
I think as much as our teachers tried to prepare us, the professional world looks and feels very different to the bubble of drama school. I often heard from professional actors that the industry was tougher than usual, and that it would be even harder for our year due to the pandemic and strikes, but I never let that discourage me. I enjoyed graduating and meeting other actor’s whose training and professional backgrounds are different compared to mine, and that has been very exciting and inspiring to work with. It’s not always easy, though; it feels like the general sentiment is risk-averse, which often makes me question my decisions, ideas and aspirations.
What kind of projects have you been involved in since then? Are there any performances or productions you’re particularly proud of?
At this point I’ve worked across multiple types of productions, but mainly short films and theatre shows. I was of course very proud of Sl*t Confessions, which we wrote and produced for Brighton Fringe with some drama school friends; to bring our creation on stage and share it with everyone was extremely satisfying and nothing short of magical. Then Naomi (directed by Declan Smith) was my first screen project where I joined the team on the production side as well as in front of the camera, so I hold this short film really close to my heart. However, I am most excited about the short film The Light, produced by Thunder City Films LTD and co-written/directed by Cristina Conde Tkatchenko and Keitumetse-Kabelo Joseph Murray. It was the first project I got involved in after graduating from drama school, and I had the pleasure of acting alongside Jordan Taffe-Watson and Chantal Wilson. We shot it in some beautiful locations in London, and I can’t wait for everyone to see it, especially since it was recently shown at Kino London!
Have you had the chance to collaborate with any interesting people or companies since leaving drama school?
Yes, thankfully, meeting other artists has been my favourite part of this journey so far; it’s incredibly inspiring and rewarding. I’ve really enjoyed working with Hazal Aztekin on her newest short, which we shot in a rave space with concrete floors—one of the most intense and exhilarating acting experiences of my life. I also just wrapped a project with Saul Lotzof (BFI FFF 2019 winner), which was shot on film. Working with such a precious medium was an incredible privilege, and it was also much fun!
How have you been balancing auditions, rehearsals, and personal life since finishing drama school? What’s your approach to staying motivated and focused?
Most days, I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. But even when things are at their toughest, the only option is to keep going. I take breaks when I need to, but somehow, I always find the drive to come back to it! What was particularly demoralising is constantly hearing from casting directors and agents that the industry has never been this uncertain, and that even they have no concrete advice for us. Still, it’s been an incredible privilege to find ways to create my own work alongside other amazing artists. I have no idea what the future holds for the industry or for me, but I will have fun finding out.
