Izzy Warrington is an all-rounder when it comes to the arts. Mostly known for playing the character Tanya at the huge Mamma Mia production at the MFCC, Izzy is a well-known artist, actor, designer, and a rare example that you should follow your dreams no matter the obstacles. Scroll down to listen to the full podcast.
‘All these things are aspects of my personality’, claims Izzy. ‘They complement each other, and I juggle them all. I do not find it difficult at all because I am not constantly doing any of them. Funnily enough, it works out.’
Speaking about acting, Izzy explains that getting into acting, like most of the other things she does, was natural and never deliberately planned. ‘I got involved in theatre when I was 18, through jazz and modern dance. After we finished school, a friend of mine wanted to go to dance classes. I decided to give it a go and I was terrible for the first few lessons. I had ten left feet! Little by little, I started to enjoy it and I wanted to see it through the end! These dance classes got me to the stage, and I discovered the performer in me.’
At the age of 26, Izzy also decided to take a leap in the dark and move to Scotland for a year to study design. ‘My full-time job, at the time, was working at a bank, but I knew it wasn’t right for me. It was hard to leave and take the decision to follow my dreams because it was a secure job and well-paid too with many prospects and perks. It took me 8 years to finally take the plunge. My parents were concerned for my future too. When I got to Scotland, I was not quite sure if I liked graphic design yet, but I went for it.’
Izzy’s acting career started to take shape after she returned to Malta from Scotland. ‘A friend of mine called me because she needed an actor. I went through the rehearsal process, and it felt very natural for me to be there. I didn’t plan this and from there I got other roles. I started to train and go to Masterclasses as I went along and learnt a lot from different people.’
The role that Izzy is most proud of is when she played Shirley Valentine. ‘I was the only person on stage throughout. When I look back, I think ‘how did I do that?!’. It was a change from what a lot of people used to see me in, and I think that’s why I hold it so close to my heart’.
When asked to choose between all her different careers, Izzy chose design, and we found her answer, as to why she chose it, to be very intriguing.
‘I learnt how to design my own life. I would love to inspire people to do this more. So many people feel disempowered about their own life. They would love to do something but there is a particular element in their life that is restricting them. I learnt through my own hardships. I spent my life fighting a defeatist attitude. These last ten years have been challenging but I learnt how to get to where I want to, despite the hardships.’
Izzy is a true believer of doing what you love to do. Albeit challenging when it comes to paying mortgages and bills, the freedom that this life gives you is the ultimate payoff.
‘People perceive success as having a lot of money. I am not a millionaire, but I feel like one. I’m excited about the day. I think we’re meant to enjoy life and not leave our passions to the last hours of the day when we’re already tired and worn-out.’
Izzy expresses her concerns about Malta still being very behind when it comes to having careers in the arts. ‘The value of the arts is incredible– they keep you sane, they make you feel alive. They challenge you. You can’t value the arts in terms of money. I know we need money to survive but we need our sanity and well-being to survive too.’
Izzy urges young people to ask themselves this question: ‘Where would you like to see yourself in 20 years’ time?’ ‘Would you like to live a life in which you feel numb? Or would you like to feel passion, joy and energy, every morning? If you have a dream and a passion, never let it go. What’s the worst that could happen if you follow your heart? ‘
‘I really hope that perceptions change, especially with younger people. I would like young people to feel safe going into the arts and to feel that it’s ok to take that passion and make it their life. The more people do that, the more recognition the arts will get. I would like to see empowered young people taking the arts and making it a career.’
Thank you, Izzy – it was an absolute pleasure having you on our podcast. You are truly a rare story and the perfect example of ‘Do what you love, and you never have to work a day in your life!’ Listen to the full podcast now.
