Take The Stage: Latesha Karisa on the Blood Brothers UK Tour
In this edition of Take The Stage, we caught up with Performers College Manchester graduate Latesha Karisa. Latesha graduated in 2025, and has since been playing Brenda, and covering the role of Linda on the UK tour of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers. Here Latesha talks about the experience of being in the show, and her advice to up and coming performers.
What was it like to find out you were going to be in Blood Brothers?
I couldn’t really believe it, to be honest. I remember sitting with my boyfriend Liam and my housemates when I saw I had an email. You know that feeling – you brace yourself for the “it was lovely to meet you, but unfortunately…” and it just wasn’t that. I was like, no way, absolutely no way!
It came through my agency, Host, who put me forward for an audition in London. I had to self-tape first, then got recalled to go down in person. There were a few rounds of auditions and recalls over about three weeks, and then they called my agent and sent over a contract.
What is an average day like for you on Blood Brothers?
So I would say when I’m playing Brenda, she is multi-role and so the main character is Brenda, which is, you know, Linda’s best friend, but multi-role because that track includes a few other characters, such as like an old lady on the bus or someone on the balcony of the houses in the street scenes, being in the council chambers etc. I also understudy for Linda, and occasionally step in to play her.
I find playing my Brenda track relatively easy, because while I have a lot to do, it’s not a pivotal character, whereas when I play Linda and I have to step up and really focus. It can get nerve-wracking because the second-half is much more focused on Mickey and Linda and Eddie. So in the second act I really have to think about and study my script and the stage directions and all the notes that I’ve been given. I really have to focus when I’m playing Linda.
On a normal day, if we’ve sound checked the day before, we arrive an hour before the first performance, which is between 1pm and 2:30pm depending on the theatre we’re in. We’ll have parish notices from our company manager Harriet and she will tell us all the things that we need to know about today’s show, for example if there’s any cover changes, if there’s anything that happened yesterday that we need to be told about, anything that the office need us to know. Then we’ll have Tim or Res Des, he’ll come in and give us all notes for the show. Then we’ll do warm up and that goes on for about 10 minutes and then we go back up into our dressing room, have the half an hour call, frantically get ready and then we do our show and then have a nice break and then do a half seven show. Most of the time it’s half seven. It’s nice when it’s an early show!
What is the experience of touring like, and what are some of the favourite places you’ve visited?
Touring can be quite tiring, but it really is really fun, especially if you have a place that you’re looking forward to going to – like if you’ve got friends there, if you’ve got family there, or if it’s just like a place that you’ve always wanted to visit. Mine was Dublin. I was really looking forward to going to Dublin. That’s probably one of my favourite places that I’ve been, especially being able to play Linda in such an amazing theatre. I’ve seen some great theatres like Nottingham, even Buxton, that was a lovely place to go to. That was a very small town and it was close to home.
Some days you’re close to home so you can commute. When you’re far from home, it can be a bit difficult because you’ll be missing home and the people (and your dog!) but the cast and crew are such a great community – Especially with the girls, because there’s not many girls in the Blood Brothers cast. There’s me, Fran, who plays Donna Marie, and Gemma, who plays Linda. We often share a dressing room and we’re really, really close. I love the tech team as well, because though they’re the ones coming to tell you off for talking in the wings, they’re also like your best mates. Everyone always gets together, lighting, company managers, DSMs, and even some local people who are working in the theatre, you get to meet those people too.
How does it feel to be the first black performer to play Linda?
That feels like such an achievement because I didn’t really have that type of inspiration growing up as a child in musical theatre. I didn’t really see anyone being the first black actors in roles, so to not only be one of them, but also to a black Scouse girl playing a Scouse character, that’s such an achievement for me. It also happened suddenly, I joined the show at 21, and it was only my 4th weekend and I was able to achieve something like that. I’m very proud of myself for doing it and being the first black woman to ever portray her. It’s an honour.
How do you think your time at Performers College prepared you for the environment you’re in now?
I think one of the biggest things was the discipline. I’ll be honest—I struggled with attendance at times, but now I completely understand why my lecturers were so firm about it. They’d always say, “You’ll see when you get into the industry—you have to show up.” And they were absolutely right. When you’re working professionally, you might be tired, but you still have to do eight shows a week. There’s no option to not turn up. At the time, you hear it from your teachers and think, “Yeah, okay,” but once you’re in the industry, you realise they meant every word.
I’m really grateful for that push from my tutors. They constantly reminded us to be present, stay focused, and take things seriously—not just chat with friends or switch off. And they were right, because you genuinely can’t get away with that mindset in the professional world.
Punctuality was another big lesson for me. It’s something I struggled with, but my time at Performers College really taught me how important it is. I’ve seen people be late in professional settings—whether that’s in Blood Brothers or auditions—and it doesn’t go unnoticed. People will tell you if they’re not impressed, and word gets around quickly.
You don’t want to enter the industry with a reputation for being unreliable or difficult to work with. That’s something I’ve definitely learned, and I’m so glad I did. It’s made a huge difference.
What do you look back on fondly about your time at Performers College?
One of the best things for me was my mates! I met some of the most important people in my life at Performers College, and I’m still really close to them now.
It’s not just the students either—I’m still in touch with some of the lecturers as well. Me and Liam still speak to them, and I even got to see a few of them when I went back to watch the third years perform in Beauty and the Beast a few weeks ago. It was so nice to reconnect.
We also keep up with each other on social media, which is lovely—they see what you’re doing and really cheer you on. There are just so many genuine, supportive connections that come out of Performers College. Honestly, that’s probably my favourite thing about it.
What would you say to someone who was thinking about applying to Performers College Manchester?
I’d say go for it. You’ll really enjoy your time there, and you’re going to make some amazing friends. I’d definitely encourage you to build as many friendships and connections as possible. It makes such a difference, especially in an environment where you’re constantly working with other people. Being open and sociable really helps.
I’ve seen some people keep to themselves, but honestly, the people at this uni are so lovely. That’s why making connections is so important—not just for your time there, but because you’ll likely end up working alongside these people in the industry after you graduate. You might as well make those friendships while you’re in that supportive, slightly easier stage—before stepping fully into the professional world.
What have you got coming up next?
I am still on tour with Blood Brothers, but I also have an independent princess tour coming up after I finish this leg of the tour. I’m going to be playing Ariel and Princess Tiana from the Disney films because I like to do princess appearances and that’s what I used to do before I started Blood Brothers. That’s how I used to make my money during uni – being an independent party princess. Now I’m doing a party pop princess/K-pop show. I’ve also got an audition for something else that I can’t say actually. I can’t actually say it, but it’s something exciting!
What would you go back and say to your 18 year old self?
I’d say have as much fun as you can—you’re going to really enjoy it. I’d also tell myself to make sure I went to all of my lessons! When you get to second year you’ll realise just how quickly first year has gone—because it flies by. Honestly, it feels like I only applied yesterday. It goes so fast – so enjoy it, and make the most of every opportunity while you’re there. Savour every moment and keep moving forward, you’ll get there!
To discover more about Performers College, including auditions and how to apply, contact us at [email protected] or you can Apply Now, or book an Open Day on our Events page.
