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From his first drama class as a child to appearing in Netflix’s Havoc and leading productions for major cruise lines, Bailey Cooper has travelled across the world pursuing his career in the performing arts.
Despite now splitting his time between Canada and the US, Bailey remains passionate about inspiring talent across his hometown of Plymouth.
Bailey first discovered performing thanks to his mum. He said: “I wasn’t very academic or sporty and I showed some interest in performing and I fell in love with it.”
At the age of 12, Bailey was cast in two musicals, Lord of the Flies and Elf, opportunities that gave him the confidence to pursue professional training in London.
One of his proudest achievements was working for Walt Disney as Dance Captain and Offstage Swing. Bailey explained: “I was responsible for knowing all 25 tracks by heart and being ready to perform at any time. Starting this job at the age of 20/21 was a massive leap and was a big responsibility and I loved every second of it.”
However, despite his countless successes at such a young age, Bailey has faced significant challenges. He told PlymouthLive: “Even on professional jobs now I face criticism from directors and choreographers.”
Reflecting on the challenges he has faced as a male performer in such a competitive industry, Bailey said he has faced criticism from someone in the industry who “made comments about my weight, the appearance of my teeth and talent”.
Nevertheless, Bailey thrives under the pressure, saying he enjoys “having to be on my A-Game at all times”. To manage the challenges, he relies on a strong support network of friends and family, and balances work with moments of silliness.
“I laugh the silly comments off because they don’t mean anything, I have been prioritising balance this year,” he said.
Looking to the future, Bailey is preparing for the next step in his career, including time in California and a role as Dance Captain for Seabourn Cruise in Portugal.
As this Plymouth-born performer reflects on his journey, Bailey says: “I think the best way to deal with the pressure and criticism is remembering 10-year-old Bailey was dreaming of his current life right now.”
You can follow Bailey’s journey on Facebook here.
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