User:Daniel Theophnaous Writer/sandbox

Kerri McLean (born 5th September 1971) is British actress, director, producer and audio producer known for her roles as Gayle in supernatural horror film The Ritual (2017) and in season 5 of BBC historical period drama Poldark as Catherine "Kitty" Despard, real-life trailblazer, an ex-slave campaigner and writer who was previously wiped out from any historical books.

Contents


 * 1) Early life and family
 * 2) Career
 * 3) Filmography
 * 4) References
 * 5) External links

Early life and family
McLean was born in Birmingham, UK. She is the youngest of two siblings. Her father is Jamaican, and her mother is English of Flemish and Welsh ancestry. She has one son. From a young age Kerri had a driving energy and passion for drama, taking part in school plays throughout her early education, she was also strong in sports training in track and field. Continuing her desire to act and went on to study Drama at A-Level at Josiah Mason College. McLean moved to London and undertook a BA Honors Modern Drama Degree at London’s' Brunel University in her late teens, a relatively left field course that focused on experimental and sites-specific performance.

Career
After graduating McLean worked regularly in theatre and was regularly involved in performing new writing development at The Birmingham REP theatres writing studio The Door. Kerri also trained in breakdancing during this period under choreographer Mickeal Riviere and she performed at breakdance 'battles' in Birmingham.

In 2001 McLean returns to London and undertook a lot of TV work. Since, she has appeared in TV including Small Island, Holby City, EastEnders, Cherished, Casualty, Radio 4 Drama), ITV (Unforgotten, Identity), Channel 4 (Comedy Roasts) and a range of independents including Ruby Films and The Imaginarium.

Writing & Directing
In 2016 Kerri set up her theatre company Rolemop Arts Ltd with university friend Alex Buckley, where she led as Artistic Director and Producer. The company's inception was in Brighton, with an aim to seek out creative ways through the medium of theatre, film and audio to tell stories.

McLean has worked with a broad range of theatres and was winner of the 'Overall Excellence Award' at The New York Fringe International Festival 2013 for 'Kemble's Riot' which she directed and produced. In 2016 she won two Faith Drama Writer-Director Awards'. Theatre productions include the 'Snakes and Ladders 2014 tour' (incl. Arcola, Brighton Dome studio, Fairfields Halls), 'Broken Loops' (Old Vic Tunnels), The Secret Agent (incl. Greenwich Theatre, Brighton Dome, Margate Theatre Royal).

Writing work includes plays 'Reality Check' and 'Memories of Mermaids'.

McLean is also a trained audio producer (MA Hons) creating music and sound designs for live performance, iPhone apps and radio.