Leanne Jones

Current Role

Just last year Leanne Jones was working full-time in a branch of the Halifax Bank. Dreaming of "making it big on the stage", Leanne spent all her spare time practising singing and dancing and traipsing around from audition to audition. Who could have imagined that, in less than a year's time, this call-centre worker from Romford would be starring in the huge hit musical, Hairspray! In May 2007 she went for her first audition with Director Jack O'Brien, where she sang a "heartfelt rendition" of the song Good Morning Baltimore. Her outstanding performance reduced him to tears and she was given the role of 'Tracy Turnblad' almost on the spot.

Early Life

Leanne Jones was born in 1985 and ever since she was a child she had dreams of performing along side famous actors and starring in West End extravaganzas.

Jones trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts in Wood End, North London, and apart from a handful of independent projects, was struggling for a break.

Career Highlights

Though Leanne Jones's career is just beginning, she has managed to land a role in one of the West End's most acclaimed musicals, Hairspray. Previous to this, Leanne had an array of amateur experiences, but little in the way of professional work.

Interesting Facts

• She had never appeared on a professional stage before getting the part in Hairspray.
• Whilst searching for earlier stage work, Jones took a job in a jewellers in Liverpool Street Station and taught drama in a secondary school.
• She took part in 13 auditions before finally landing the West End part.
• Her childhood dream was to be starring opposite Michael Ball.

Awards

Despite Leanne's fledgling career being only in its infancy, she has already won the Best Newcomer at the Critics' Circle Awards 2008.