PERFORMER Fred Smiley Martins is currently in his final year of a BA in Musical Theatre at Colchester Institute.

Born and raised in Newham, East London, he moved to Essex when he was 14.

As well as studying and appearing in shows at the Kenneth Moore Theatre in Ilford and the Stag Theatre in Sevenoaks, he teaches at several schools in the area.

This week he stars, alongside fellow students, in Green Day's American Idiot - The Musical, which runs from tomorrow until Saturday, May 19 to 21, at 7.30pm.

For tickets, and more details, go on-line at creativeartslive.colchester.ac.uk/events

What or who got you interested theatre? Did you take part in any productions at school?

I started performing at the age of 16 which is very late as a performer as normally people start from as early as 4 especially with dance. I'd say what got me into performing was when I wrote a sketch for my GCSE exam and I got good feedback from my teachers and they advised me to take this up after I finished, so I started going to stagecoach each weekend in Southend to get A bit of experience before auditioning for a performing arts college.

Are or were any members of your immediate family involved in the theatre?

None of my family were or are performers. I have a footballing family my dad was a goalkeeper in Nigeria and my older brother was a midfielder.

Who is the most inspiring person you’ve worked with and why?

That's tough I have worked with loads of people but I'd say the choreographer David Leighton he has choreographed for the likes of Kylie Minogue among others and he brought something out of me no one else has managed. I have great chemistry on stage with cast mate Harry Totham who's also playing a lead role in American Idiot. Ive really enjoyed working with him and we've brought the best out of each other in our roles.

What formal training have you done?

I trained at Collins performing arts in Romford and had a few years out and now I am about to complete my degree at he Colchester institute.

Do you have any specialist skills – anything from stilt walking to dress-making – which you work into your repertoire?

I can do the MJ glide which is like the moonwalk but sideways which always comes in handy on a wild Friday night!

Which experience/role do you regard as the highlight of your career to date?

I did an advert for Game which was awesome but the most challenging would be my current role in American Idiot. I am playing the protagonist's alter ego calledSt Jimmy which is so much fun but vocally challenging as its rock music and I am more of a soulful singer, The role has defiantly brought me out my comfort zone!

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?

I was in a show called world goes around last year and I had to sing and roller skate on stage and I fell over, but the audience thought it was part of the performance which was hilarious so I went with it.

Which actor (s) performer (s) do you most admire and why?

I would say it's out of two Taye Diggs because he has done most shows on Broadway you can think from rent to wicked and also Denzil Washington as he can play any role and make it look easy.

What role would you most like to play and why?

I would love to play Efe brother in Dream Girls that would be my dream role as well as Seaweed from Hairspray so fingers crossed for the future haha!

Ever corpsed on stage? What happened?

I was playing a train announcer in Music Man and I had to say a line several times but I I didn't breath and I said a line then fell forward trying to catch my breath and I could hear my cast members laughing in the wings and I looked so panicked but was one of the funniest moments I have had on stage.

Any big plans for the future?

I want to continue to perform but maybe in a couple of years I'll go and audition to work in America either way I am excited to start my career whether that be on stage or on tv.

Any tricks for remembering your lines or other useful tips to pass on to other actors/directors?

Just remember the lines are the easy part once that's out the way you can develop the character but break down your lines in small bits and then piece it together when you are confident. That usually works for me!