From City of Westminster College to Rose Bruford College, and beyond, Kaiaa Shepnekhi-Boston shares her journey into theatre and social change.
I’ve always been a performer; it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I used to sing with my mum at church, and growing up I’d usually be involved in creative community festivals. What really drew me to the course at CWC was that it brought singing, dancing and acting all in one place. The college was also really accessible for me, just a bus ride away.
College taught me to strive for being more than just an actor and be curious about the writing and directing process too. Then, university taught me how to actually achieve that.
My final project was an independent piece which required us to write, produce and perform our own work. My project is called Flourishing Distortion. It’s a 45-minute one-woman show that incorporates aerial hoops and explores how different people and spaces influence how we present ourselves and choose the different ‘masks’ that we wear.
I want to continue making my own work. Right now, for example, I have my eyes on the Bush Theatre which has a reputation for supporting new creatives. I’d like to further develop my final performance Flourishing Distortion and submit it to them and other similar venues so I can reach wider audiences. I’m also working on a short film exploring the idea of ‘whimsy’: what it means for both individuals and communities, told through a Black lens.
In terms of what drives me forward, I care a lot about community and intentional positivity. I believe joy is a radical act, and activism is best nurtured when we hold space and patience for one another. It’s about giving, sharing and creating without always expecting something in return. For example, I host “rest days” at my house, where people operating in creative and activist spaces can just slow down and reconnect. I think softer ways of living are really important, especially in a world that can feel overwhelming. Stress is one of the biggest challenges we face, and I want my work to counter that.
Don’t limit yourself. Take every opportunity you can and apply for everything. You’ll get a lot of rejections, sure, but it only takes one “yes” to change your life. Networking is also so crucial for this industry. My personal tip is to give genuine compliments off the bat. It’s a great way to break the ice and connect with people authentically.
Ultimately, I’d love to start my own production company. As much as I am keen to keep creating my own work, I’m really excited about emerging artists and the current creative scene. I want to use my growing network to help others access opportunities and actually mobilise their ideas, rather than sit with them wondering what to do next.
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“My experience at College of Northwest London, has been exciting, it has been thrilling and it has been full of opportunities, and we have the tutors that help us whenever we’re in need. We go on educational trips to get a feel for what university life is like. We have the careers advisors that help us on our path, our university path.”
“The facilities here are brilliant. You have range of courses you can study. My teachers in the Performing Arts department have got history in the industry, which is very useful. You get to ask them for advice and actual knowledge from the industry, and take that into your own work within the college also afterwards. ”
“At City of Westminster College, my experience has been the best of all the other colleges I’ve attended. The reason I like CWC is because the teachers make my journey easier with assessment and exams. I’m a Level Two Science student and I enjoy my lessons because most of them are practical, which are helpful for me. I love studying at CWC because you meet people from other countries – all over the world and from all different communities.”
“My favourite thing about studying here has definitely got to be the teachers. They’re really helpful, kind and in the industry, so it’s good.”
“The technical knowledge and hands-on experience gained during my apprenticeship at College of North West London have been invaluable, particularly in understanding site processes, health and safety requirements and the understanding of electrical systems.”
“My experience studying at City of Westminster College has been amazing. It’s been so welcoming; I enjoy it very much because of the staff members we have here. They’re very approachable and I could come to them with any question, and it will be answered straight away. And if I come early for a class, I can use the Learning Resources Centre, I can use the computers, the books, just to continue all my studies outside the classroom time.”
“The training process was seamless. I had good instructors who were very flexible, supporting people of all learning levels. On the last day after our exams, a security company came and did a presentation. We had the opportunity to have an interview afterwards. I told them about my experiences, and they said I would be a good fit. I formally applied for a role and started with the company soon after. Getting into security has opened doors for me. I hope I will continue to take steps up the career ladder.”
“Coming to study at the City of Westminster College was the best decision that I had ever made. The teachers are very accommodating – they help you learn things in a way that might be easier for you to learn. They are very supportive and I think that’s one of the best things about learning here.”
“I was so grateful to have won Apprentice of the Year at the West London Business Awards 2026, I could not have done it without the support my company Size Group and the College of North West London.”
