Former Performing Arts student Taj Atwal is appearing in her most recent role as ‘Jasmin’ in Kay Mellor’s new BBC One drama comedy; ‘In The Club’. Ever since leaving York College in 2007 Taj has treaded the boards in a number of leading roles. She says: “Being a working actress is something I worked hard for and dreamed of becoming my whole life.”
Taj has commented that Further Education helped put her on track to achieve her dream of becoming a successful actress. She graduated from York College in 2007 with a National Award in Dance and a National Diploma qualification in Performing Arts (Acting) and, importantly, received help and support to apply to the top drama schools. Taj auditioned and secured a place at the Guildford School of Acting, graduating with a BA (Hons) degree. Taj says: “I am grateful to the drama department and support staff at York College who were instrumental in nominating me for a Helena Kennedy Foundation Award and helped me apply to different charities and organisations to gain funding toward my tuition fees and living costs.”
Fast forward a few years and Taj is probably best known for playing the role of Jasminder in the Ruth Jones BAFTA Cymru award winning comedy ‘Stella’ aired on Sky 1. She has also played a number of guest roles in comedies such as ‘Miranda’ and ‘In with the Flynn’s’ – both on BBC. Taj played the tough role of newly qualified teacher Armani Sarin in the BBC’s ‘Moving On’ series created by Jimmy Mcgovern. You can currently see Taj starring as Jasmin in the BBC’s new Kay Mellor British drama comedy ‘In The Club’. Taj will make her West End debut in October in the revival of hit play ‘East is East’ at the Trafalgar Studios alongside Jane Horrocks.
Says Taj: “The York College staff made me ‘want’ to attend classes. They believed in me and totally encouraged me to carry on, they helped me to reach my goals and spent extra time with me on drama school applications and rehearsing my audition pieces. They had real faith in me and taught me to believe in myself.”
The Performing Arts Division at York College is very proud of Taj’s achievements and wishes her continued success in the performing arts industry.
