Graduate of the month: Sophie Martin

Published: 11/01/2016

Sophie studied Production Arts at RCS and since graduating has worked consistently in the industry. As well as working for popular TV shows The Voice and Strictly Come Dancing, Sophie’s career has flourished in London’s West End where she has worked on Gypsy at The Savoy with Imelda Staunton, and Elf: The Musical at the Dominion Theatre. This month Sophie starts working on the West End classic Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London.

You graduated in 2013. Looking back at your time at RCS, what are your highlights of your three years here?

I loved it all from start to end it was an amazing three years. My highlights would definitely include designing my third year show Victory with Hugh Hodgart at The Tron. The whole experience was such an eye opener to how the industry actually is in real life. Also working on the annual pantomimes in the New Athenaeum theatre was always a highlight.

You have worked consistently since graduating. What have been your favourite projects to work on to date?

I’ve just finished working on Elf: The Musical at the Dominion Theatre which was so much fun. Before that I was on Gyspy at The Savoy with Imelda Staunton which was such a wonderful experience, both personally and professionally, but my highlight so far is working as the principal trainee for designer Jane Petrie on Genius, a film set in the 1920s which will be coming out next year. It was my first experience working at Pinewood Studios and has definitely given me the bug for filmmaking.

I have just started on Phantom of the Opera which is so exciting I went straight from Elf to Phantom so it’s a lot of work but I’m going to learn loads from it!

Do you keep in touch with any other RCS graduates?

Yes! I’m still in touch with loads of graduates, most of them are very close friends who are either still in Scotland or down south; they are all doing really well. I’ve even bumped into some other RCS graduates on the London tube!