Luc Berthelette
Learn • Get Inspired • Grow
Giles Terera, MBE
Giles Terera MBE is a British actor, musician, and filmmaker. He is best known for his work in the theatre (plays and musicals), particularly in the original cast of the London production of the musical Hamilton, as Aaron Burr, for which he won the 2018 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He can currently be seen in "Oh, Mary!" which has just earned him another Olivier Award nomination (supporting) for playing Mary’s Husband
What did you want to become when you were a child?
I loved being in the garden with my mum. She enjoyed planting and growing things. So one of the first things i wanted to be was a gardener. Like in the public gardens around the town. I also loved animals and wildlife and nature so it seemed to me the perfect job when I was very little.
What aspects of your career do you like best/least?
Meeting new people and travelling are what I enjoy most. I've travelled the world, seen amazing cultures and met amazing people and the people I've been fortunate enough to work with have enriched my life. I also love getting to find out about different periods in history which is often the case with many plays.
My job involves knowing about history, religion, politics, revolutions, war, art, sport, the natural world, you name it. In the last couple of years I've had to play a costume designer and a chef. Neither of which I am expert in (but I'm better now)
The aspect that I enjoy least....hmmm. There's nothing about my career I don't enjoy.
If you could send a note to your 15 year-old self, what would it say?
I'm pretty sure my 15 years old self wouldnt listen to a 49 year old. But I would say keep doing what you're doing. Follow your path and dream your dreams and don't worry about feeling weird, there's nothing weirder than a sunset and that's the most beautiful thing in the world.
If you could send a note to your 75 year-old self, what would it say?
I would tell him to keep going, you made it this far. You started with nothing and have worked hard, so keep going and enjoy. Nothing is promised.
Happiness is...:
Health and people you love. My nieces and nephews give my heart the most joy.
What/who inspires you?
I'm quite inspired by people who have come before me. Great artists and great spirits. People who have gone out on a limb and searched for something new. Whether that's artistic or social. People who answer the call within them to make the human experience a more beautiful thing. People who help others. People who try and make the world a better place.
Whom do you most admire in life? What specific characteristics of this person do you want to emulate?
The person I admire most in life is my mother. She became a widow, and single mother of four at the age of 30 and she raised all of us without a single hair on our heads being harmed and gave us a loving, happy childhood. She had the qualities which I actually admire most- generosity of spirit, good humour (which is in itself generous) and determination.
What five books would you insist everyone read?
1- Shakespeare's complete works. All of human emotion and experience is in there. You could never be alone if Shakeapeares plays are with you.
2- Giovani's Room by James Baldwin
3- There Eyes Were Watching God (by Zora Neale Hudson) which is my favourite book
4- Hagakure- Tsuramoto
5- Hamliton and Me- (because) I wrote it. So I would say that.
What three films would you recommend to a stranger in order to have them get a glimpse of the individual that you are?
1- Lawrence Of Arabia
2- My Own Private Idaho- Its a Gus Van Zant film based on a Shakespeare play and it is the most beautiful gay love story.
3- Modern Times Charlie Chaplin is one of my biggest inspirations.
What three albums would you insist everyone have in the collection?
1- Thriller (Michael Jackson)
2- Amazing Grace byAretha Franklin
3- Star Wars (soundtrack)
If in a bad (sad, sour, or angry) mood, I pop this movie (or TV show) in and know I will feel (even slightly) better once the film wraps up:
Star Wars (any of the first six films).
A meal that I serve that I know will be a crowd-pleaser is:
I make very good fried chicken. I used to make it during Hamilton and it always went down well. I like to cook.
What do you consider to be the best mistake you have ever made?
Im not sure.
The key to my personal well-being is:
Making sure I take as much time to play (rest) as I do to work. Being true to myself
What do you believe to be the greatest gift to offer someone else?
Love.
What do you consider to be the greatest gift you can give to yourself?
Love.
Any advice for those wanting to work in your industry &/or live their best lives?
Be as honest with yourself as you can. Know your strengths and your weaknesses. Dont bullshit yourself. Listen to what's in your heart and take care of that. Everyone always says it's a heard industry and it is, but life is hard. Anything in this life which is worth doing no matter how varied all have two things in common- preparation and focus. Apply those two things to anything and you stand the best chance of realizing that goal.
xxx
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