SS: Where are you from? Why did you move to NYC?

DB: I was born in Australia and raised in England. I moved to NYC about four years ago to pursue an acting career. 

SS: Were you a good student in High School? What were your favorite and least favorite subjects?-

DB: It’s strange to be back working in a high school. I now see the experience through an entirely different angle, being that I work with the administration and all. I was pretty quiet back then and kept myself out of trouble. My favorite parts of high school were the drama/theater productions. I was not a fan of science and math. We had four houses and competed for a house cup throughout my schooling, especially in middle school. When I was 11 years old, the year’s theme was planets, and I was captain of the mercury house. It was very similar to Harry Potter except for the magic, of course:) 

SS: Speaking of Harry Potter and all, what is your opinion of the book/movie series? With your accent, it is a question I bet all our readers are wondering about. 

DB: When I came here, I was shocked by how obsessed Americans are with it. It’s a big thing in England, but it’s taken a cult-like membership here. There are boarding schools in the UK; everyone knows people who have been to one, so the concepts discussed in the series aren’t far off from daily life. I love the books but really, who doesn’t love Harry Potter? 

SS: Why did you want to return to High School/Academia? Why become a teacher/theater director? 

DB: I found out about the administrative position through the professional grapevine. I have experience with theater, so they asked me to run the Fall and Spring plays and Acting Junior elective course. I have always loved teaching others and thought it would be a great opportunity. 

SS: Why are you passionate about theater? 

DB: I am not passionate about the art of theater specifically but rather the idea of telling a story in whatever medium best serves it to be received by a wider audience. I am not the biggest reader and consider myself a film person more. I have produced a couple of short films and look forward to making more in the future. 

SS: Do you have any special talents or hobbies? Any fun facts?

DB: I like to cook in my spare time, socialize with friends and the people I work with. I  love going to the movie theater. 

SS: Do you have a favorite book or movie? 

DB: My favorite movie is Interstellar. As I mentioned, I am not the most extensive book person, but I am currently rerreading A Wringle in Time, and I really do love it. It’s the type of story where kids are doing things they can’t normally do in everyday society and are saving the world. There is something truly poetic about that. 

SS: What advice do you have for students who feel like they are too shy for the stage?

DB: You are going to be more self-conscious about how you look than anyone else is paying attention to you. Sometimes when you wake up and look in the mirror, you think to yourself, “oh, that piece of hair looks off,” or “I’m not wearing the right shirt today.” But do you ever really notice those kinds of insignificant details in other people? At least I don’t. You look fine and put your best foot forward.

SS: Is there anything you would like students to know about you? 

DB: I am really excited about the school plays. I see this as an opportunity to work on a production and collaborate with younger people. I hope everyone will get involved! 

SS: It’s been discussed in every US newspaper and blasted through the Ramaz speaker system, but as our resident British person, along with Mr. Cannon, I must ask. How are you taking the Queen’s death? 

DB: Similar to the Harry Potter question, I feel like Americans are more obsessed with the Monarchy’s affairs than the actual Brits. But I am genuinely sad and more emotional than I ever thought I would be over the recent effects. The Queen represented such a period of steadiness in our lives; she has been reigning for longer than I have been alive, and it’s just bizarre.