A journey shaped by music, belief, and quiet determination. Growing up with limited access, Shanay Holmes built her own path into theatre. Through rejection, growth, and breakthrough moments, she stayed true to her voice. This interview explores resilience, purpose, and the power of self-belief.
For readers who are discovering you for the first time, could you share a bit about yourself and how your journey in theatre first began?
I always expressed myself through music. I grew up singing in churches and choirs and dreamed of a career on stage. It’s something that always called to me. I’m from a working-class background and couldn’t afford drama school, so I had to carve out my own path into the industry.
I found myself in an open audition, which led me to signing to my first agent and then 3 months later, led to me appearing in my first West End musical, Thriller Live. I then went on to star in shows like The Bodyguard, Jesus Christ Superstar, Rent, Miss Saigon and most recently, Nancy in Oliver.
I have also co-founded and produced the world’s biggest musical theatre fan convention – Musical Con. I also founded and built our West End Musical concert series which have had sold out performances in theatres such as the Lyric, Palace & Adelphi theatres in London, West End Musical Drive in and West End Musical Brunch which is now in its 8th year.
Was there a particular moment when you realized that performing on stage was truly where you belonged?
Singing is what I have always done to express how I feel. It’s self-expression and it always felt like a way to connect with people. Something would happen when I sang and it felt like the world just paused for a moment, like I’m truly myself.
I remember watching Mariah Carey on tv as a kid and thinking, “How I feel watching her is how I want to make others feel. Moved.”
You’ve taken on so many powerful roles over the years. Which character has had the biggest impact on you, and why?
Nancy. I think playing her made me confront a lot about my own life experience and in order to play her truthfully to become vulnerable. She taught me a lot about what it is to be a women. How resilient and strong women are. She is very brave and playing her was an honor. She taught me the most about myself.
Winning the Black British Theatre Award must have been an incredible milestone. How did it feel to receive that recognition?
Incredible. To receive a recognition like this from my community is the best feeling in the world. To be truly seen by so many people I admire and respect was a phenomenal feeling. I poured myself into playing Nancy so it was the perfect close to that chapter and one of my greatest achievements. It was an unforgettable night.
Out of all your experiences, what’s the most unforgettable moment you’ve had on stage?
Unforgettable was most definitely my performance of “As Long As He Needs Me” on the Royal Variety Performance in 2024. It was the most transcendent moment of my life. I was on the Royal Albert Hall Stage performing for the King. It was the stuff dreams are made of.
Before a big performance, how do you get yourself ready mentally, physically, or even emotionally?
Focus and discipline. There are always nerves of course. I think the biggest mental challenge actors and singers face is the way we talk to ourselves. It’s a very important factor that we don’t talk about enough. What we do is hard! Its eight shows a week, limited rest and 6 days working.
It’s a huge thing! I like to describe it as Vocal Olympics, it’s that level. We sleep, train, eat in a certain way and full focus goes into the performance. Emotionally, I love the notion of leaving everything on stage. Everything lives in truth, moment to moment. That keeps it alive.
Musical Con has grown into such an amazing celebration for fans. What sparked the idea, and what inspired you to make it happen?
My little brother inspired the idea. West End Musical Brunch already existed so we knew what happens when musical fans are given the permission to celebrate the thing they love.
I then attended a Star Wars fan convention with my brother and we both went in Cosplay. My brother can become anxious in busy places with lots of people around but instead he became empowered, he felt seen and celebrated being around so many like-minded fans and I thought ‘Why don’t musical theatre fans have this?” a place where they can be celebrated and meet other like-minded fans? And now they do Musical Con was born – “ A Place Where We Belong”.
West End Musical Brunch has brought so much joy to audiences. How did that concept come to life?
West End Musical Brunch came from an idea that I had just after I finished RENT! We wanted to do a reunion. So I came up with lots of ideas of what we could do and I thought how about an immersive experience where audiences came into the ‘Life Café’ and we’d perform around them?
Then I thought of an immersive cinema/ concert event for the reunion but the idea of eating and performance stuck with me and I thought why don’t we do that but for all musicals. So then and there West End Musical Brunch was born and it has run every Saturday to sold out audiences for 8 years.
This industry can be tough at times. What helps you stay strong, grounded, and determined to keep going?
Self belief and absolute determination. You have to be incredibly strong, it’s not for the faint of heart. I always say when someone asks if they should go into this industry that they have to love it. If you love it so entirely that there is nothing else in life you could possible ever do.
Then its already yours. What helps me stay grounded is my husband, my family and my close circle of friends. Staying connected to the people that see you fully and love you regardless of what you do but for who you are.
Who or what as been the biggest source of motivation and support throughout your journey?
My husband is my support. My family are my motivation. My husband and I have been together for 17 years so he’s been there throughout my entire professional career. He has been the one who has picked me up after every ‘no’, who works through lines with me, and who challenges me.
He is the reason I am here today. He is an incredible partner in life and in business and my biggest cheer leader. He is also an incredible actor and very creative so that helps! My family, especially my mum have been a constant source of motivation.
My mum always raised me to believe in my dreams and follow my heart so every time I do that I feel like I’m doing it for her.
What projects or dreams are you most excited about exploring next?
I want to do the impossible. I want to continue to be the change I want to see. Like Andre De Shields says “The top of one mountain is the bottom of the next so keep climbing.”
And finally, what message would you love to share with young performers who are hoping to follow their passion the way you did?
Be fearless but most of all know yourself and love yourself. You are your superpower.
Shanay Holmes is a West End Performer, actor and producer working across musical theatre and live performance. She originated the role of Nancy in the West End production of Oliver!.
Find out more at www.shanayholmes.com
