Rachel Shenton - Stoke on Trent College

"My key advice would be to get as much
work as you can, whether that's paid or
unpaid, local or amateur theatre,"
Rachel Shenton
TV Actress
Performing Arts
at Stoke on Trent College
Since leaving Stoke on Trent College, Rachel
landed cameos in a number of TV shows
including Holby City, Waterloo Road and
Doctors. In 2010 Rachel landed a lead role in
hit TV show, Hollyoakes playing Mitzee
Minniver.
More recently, Rachel made her television debut
in the United States as Lilly Summers in
Switched at Birth; the highest-rated show on
the ABC Family network to date. It tells the
story of two teenage girls who discover they
were accidentally switched as new-borns in the
hospital.
Rachel joins an impressive cast list on the show
including Lucas Grabeel, of High School
Musical fame, Breaking Bad's RJ Mitte and
Academy Award winning actress Marlee Matlin.
As a former student, Rachel regularly returns to
Stoke on Trent College to deliver workshops
that help current learners get first-hand advice
about the industry and help them prepare for
careers on stage and screen.
During a recent visit Rachel said: “I thought it
would be nice if I could give something back to
help young people.
"I'm not here to teach anybody drama, but I can
give industry advice. It's things like how you
get auditions and get an agent.
"I worked very hard and joined a theatre
company, which toured England. I learnt by
doing.
"My key advice would be to get as much work
as you can, whether that's paid or unpaid, local
or amateur theater,"