I have so much yet to achieve

"Acting is very seasonal; today you shine and tomorrow you are yesterday’s news," says SERAH NDANU, 23, who recently scooped the Best Lead Actress (Film) award at the annual Kalasha Awards. She spoke to SHIRLEY GENGA

When did you first explore your acting talent?

I began acting in church at age five. My mother was a drama teacher and this helped to push me into acting. I continued acting when I joined Phime Academy in Western Kenya for my primary school education. In Class Five, I got to play the lead role in a play set for drama festivals. It was unheard of for a Standard Five student to take on the lead actress role. The drama teacher at the time realised I had potential and gave me the lead role despite my age. I ended up winning Best Actress award during the national contest. In high school (Loreto High School, Matunda), my parents were not very supportive of my acting, as they wanted me to concentrate on books, and like a teenager I did not listen (laughs). I joined drama and was even the chairlady by the time I was in Form Three.

Tell as a little about your childhood?

Serah Ndanu Photo: Martin Mukangu/Standard

I am the second born in a family of four — three girls and a boy. Growing up, we moved around a lot because my dad worked for Action Aid. We moved from Eastern to Western to Central and back to Eastern before finally settling to Nairobi in 2009. I was a very playful child; I would leave the house very early in the morning and return home very late in the evening looking dirty. After high school, I had a dream of being a flight attendant, but my parents convinced me to study Tourism Management and Sociology at the University of Nairobi.

During my second year, I got the chance to join the Nairobi Law cast. I played an intern at the law firm. I was not sure if my parents would support me, but my friends convinced me to try out for the auditions. I did and it was my television debut. I did not tell my parents about the role and one day they tuned in and saw me. Surprisingly my mother was very supportive.

Was it hard to move from stage acting to screen acting?

Acting on stage is very different from the screen because you have to be loud and very dramatic, but when you are on screen you need to pass the message without being overly dramatic. I was privileged to work with Nini Wacera, Eddie Kimani and Raymond Ofula who taught me how to go about screen acting. After featuring on Nairobi Law, I played the role of Alice in Rugged Priest, which was shot last year between June and July. This year I got a chance to act in the movie Conflicted Successions and to play the role of a secretary, Tesh, in the television series Briefcase Inc.

How do you usually prepare for your role on stage or screen?

I normally go through the script, analyse it and try to put myself in the shoes of the character. If need be I try to go out there and talk to someone who has gone through the same experience. With the Rugged Priest, I played the role of Alice, a young girl who had been raped, so I did some research and found someone who had gone through the same experience and it helped me bring out the character.

How did you feel when you were named the winner of the Kalasha Award for your role as Alice?

I did not expect to win; I was pitted against more experienced actresses like Liz Njagah, Lydia Gitachu and Lillian Awuor. I have watched them act and they are people I have always looked up to, but I guess the student has now become better than the teacher.

Is there pressure that comes with winning the award?

Winning comes with a lot of pressure, as people now expect a lot from me. I have to be careful now about the roles that I choose or projects I take on. You do not want to involve yourself in projects that will bring your career to a stop.

Acting is very seasonal; today you shine and tomorrow you are yesterday’s news, so you have to ensure that you get into projects that people will remember you for. I also feel like I now have many things to achieve.

Has acting in Kenya reached a point where you can earn a living solely from it?

No, we have not reached that stage yet. If you want to survive and act then you need to have a side hustle.

Apart from acting, I currently run a company (Contemporary Events and Consulting Services) with my best friend Eve Matu, which specialises in conference tourism. We have clients from all over the world, especially Europe to Africa. We also organise events for our clients, such as book locations, organise events and ensure everything goes according to plan. I started the company because I did not want my degree to go to waste.

What do you love about acting?

I love the fact that you get to fit into other people’s shoes. I get to become someone different and get to connect with people on different levels. Depending on the roles I play, I get to learn so much about other people’s lives. I also get to associate with actors and actresses who have been in the game for long.

Who is your role model?

I have always admired how Oprah Winfrey reaches out to people and touches them in a positive way. My Hollywood role model is Meryl Streep. She is not only a strong woman but she is brilliant and memorable in every role she plays on screen. She is amazingly talented.

What are the challenges?

Sometimes people cannot separate you from the character you play on television. They do not understand that the character they connect with on television is not you. There is also the misconception that acting is a serious career.

Any advice for aspiring actresses

A lot of people get into acting for the wrong reasons, as they want fame, fun and money, but acting is not all fun and games. It is quite challenging especially if you are starting out. You have to want it badly enough to put up with the hard times. You have to be disciplined and passionate about it or you will not make it in this profession.

What are your future plans?

I intend to continue acting. I am currently involved in an acting project but I cannot discuss it. I intend to go back to school next year in January to pursue my MBA. I also hope to be able to expand my business and venture into other countries.