We sat down for a chat with Daniella Adjemon. Daniella (She/her) is a Founder of Connecting Minds, actor, employment advisor and social values consultant. Her work focuses on giving vulnerable young people equity through employment, AI and digital marketing. The arts changed Daniella’s life, from watching IYTs Juliet and Romeo through a homeless charity to joining intermission, becoming part of the family and being mentored to success.
Can you tell us about your journey with Intermission Youth Theatre and how your time here shaped you both as a person and as an artist?
My journey with intermission has honestly been life changing. I first discovered intermission through a homeless charity called SPEAR. I was unemployed, homeless and low in confidence. After watching Julliet and Romeo: The Remix, and hearing the talk back, hearing that IYT had trained them to be actors and some of them were just like me; I knew I wanted to join. I came from being anxious, with depleting mental health to being a confident agent of change in my community! When I finally got housing, Nana and Darren even helped me move in! The holistic care and family concept meant the world for me as a care leaver as I didn’t believe I could ever have a network, yet alone people that genuinely care for me. The fact that once you complete the program you still stay connected as a graduate has helped me further my self improvement into the ‘adult’ world. Through the encouragement of the facilitators and conversations with Darren I have been able to gain confidence in using my lived experience to empower others and got supported to start my own social enterprise (soon to be a registered Community Interest Charity) called Connecting Minds, which teaches AI, digital marketing and employability to those experiencing social inclusion through the care or youth justice system. From bid writing to guest speaking in one of my sessions, I have been supported in all aspects. I even have full time employment and vastly improved mental health. Intermission really helped shape me into a woman and prepared me for the real world.
Much Ado About Nothing Remixed explores themes like social media pressure and societal ignorance. Did any of these themes resonate with your own experiences growing up, especially in the context of your time at IYT?
Social media pressure is definitely something that affected me heavily especially after covid. I got bullied for being homeless and having an eating disorder online. It is important to have good people around you to remind you that you are loved regardless of the adversity. Society is increasingly ignorant to the adversities that young people face and having plays like this, that are thought provoking and provide a different more pensive perspective and awareness to these issues, is so essential.
Intermission often uses Shakespeare as a vehicle to explore contemporary issues. What was it like engaging with Shakespeare’s work at IYT, and how did it help you view your own challenges from a different perspective?
Having an English literature degree, I was one of those who loved English but hated Shakespeare. Intermission completely changed my opinion on that and that was through really breaking down Shakespeare and relating it to modern day experiences. Using kinesthetic learning rather than talking at us really helped me to retain the information and the games helped me gain an in-depth understanding. This in turn helped me challenge my perspective of Shakespeare being unrelatable and has me enjoying reading his plays in my spare time.
How did Intermission Youth help you transition into a career or further education? What skills or lessons did you take with you after you left?
I came from a place of hatred and bitterness towards the world because of how life had treated me. I went to go see one of our facilitators in her one woman play. Laticia, and she had a story similar to mine and when I asked her ‘ How do you stay so positive and full of love and life despite how life has treated you?’ and she said “You can’t change how people have treated you but you can change how you treat the world” That made me go home and cry. Through this IYT journey I have learnt patience; I have learnt resilience and sanity. I have learnt how to compartmentalize my emotions and the people in my life. I have learnt to believe in myself. Believe I do have big energy, I can be a leader, and I have so much potential. I have learnt how to stay professional in a workplace and not let my emotions dominate my actions or words. I have learnt how to re-love myself and re-love life. I have learnt how to maintain balance but also how to help and uplift others. I have learnt to not always be angry but most importantly how to turn judgement into curiosity and implement trauma informed practice because we all have a story.
In your opinion, how crucial is it for organizations like IYT to exist, especially in a time when arts funding and opportunities for young people are becoming more scarce?
It is so important for organizations like IYT to exist! I had no one believe in me and was so luck to find an organization like IYT where people are genuinely passionate. These little things like having someone believe in your potential are the things that stick with you all the way into your adult life, and it’s been proven this is why people as old as 30+ who started intermission at 16 are still to this day engaging with the service. Intermission is changing lives, and I am genuinely living proof of that. Whether we transition in to acting or into the corporate sector, I feel fully supported and know I can ask Nana, Darren or any other person I have met along the way for advice. There should be more funding for this sector because it really is a creative and innovative way to engage hard to reach young people. I have never seen a play until I went to see IYT and since then I engage in theatre trips with intermission which has hugely broadened my horizon.
What does it feel like seeing the new cohort of young actors now performing in Much Ado About Nothing Remixed? Any advice you’d give them as someone who’s been in their shoes?
It makes me so happy to see a new cohort of young people, especially because of their age ranges. I know by the end of the program they will flourish into beautiful versions of themselves. My advice would be taking the plunge, everyone in the room has a story so do not be afraid or nervous about yourself. Take the opportunities – people’s lives have changed tremendously! The answer will always be no, until you ask, don’t live in the what ifs.
Finally, what’s next for you? How has Intermission helped you in shaping your future?
I work as a career specialist for young people who have been through the care system. I own a social enterprise called Connecting Minds which is funded by Foundation Futures for London. This year we got £5,000 funding and next year we will be awarded £15,000 to run the project again and collaborate with Northeastern University. We hope to partner with Google. I do extra work and still go for auditions, I am currently working on getting new headshots and applying for Agents. My dream is to star in a horror film and set up a more inclusive school curriculum with Connecting Minds being a top referral with leaving care teams and PRU. Intermission helped advise me on how to run Connecting Minds, how to best budget and how to write the financial bid. As well as believing in me which has honestly carried me so much.