Joshua Aketse-Entsie - Humans of NYT REP interview
Manuel Harlan
The first in our series of Humans of NYT REP interviews with the 2026 NYT REP Company
Joshua Aketse-Entsie played Foreman and Eli in our recent production of Dracula. In our upcoming adaptation of Let The Right One In adapted for stage by Jack Thorne at the Underbelly Boulevard Soho he plays Mr Ávila. Book tickets from £11.50.
I was born in Sweden, lived there until I was five, then moved to Ghana for a year before returning to Sweden and eventually settling in Milton Keynes (UK) when I was eight.
Moving between countries at such a young age meant I learnt early on that people from different places move differently, speak differently, and see the world through completely different lenses. I also learnt that people saw me differently depending on where I was.
Looking back now, I think those early experiences shaped the way I observe people. As an actor, you’re constantly trying to understand how someone else moves through the world. Their choices, their perspective, their truth. In many ways that curiosity started long before I ever stepped onto a stage.
“At the time I didn’t fully understand what theatre could be, but I remember the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself.”
My journey into theatre began in Year 8 when I auditioned for my school musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. I ended up playing one of the brothers (I was gassed). At the time I didn’t fully understand what theatre could be, but I remember the feeling of being part of something bigger than myself.
The energy of rehearsals, the nerves before stepping on stage, and the buzz of performing in front of an audience. Around that same time, I was also watching Disney Channel and was wondering why I couldn’t be in those worlds. That combination, performing in that musical and imagining what might be possible — was all it took. From that moment on, I knew this was what I wanted to do.
“Seeing a project that represents young people and our communities reach a wider audience was incredibly special and reminded me how powerful storytelling can be.”
Since then, I’ve been fortunate to have several pivotal moments that have shaped my journey. One of the biggest has been performing in the BBC Three series Crongton, which is available on iPlayer. The show went on to win Best Children’s Programme at the Broadcast Awards 2026 and also won in the Children/Youth category at the Venice TV Awards 2025. Seeing a project that represents young people and our communities reach a wider audience was incredibly special and reminded me how powerful storytelling can be.
Being part of the National Youth Theatre REP Company has been another defining moment. REP is intense, challenging and inspiring all at once. Being surrounded by my amazing peers who care about the craft as much as me, pushes me to raise my standards and reminds me why I started in the first place.
Outside of REP, I’ve been incredibly lucky to grow through organisations that believed in me early on. Spaces like Trybe House Theatre, Frantic Assembly’s Ignition programme, London Bubble Theatre, The Bush Theatre, Intermission Youth Theatre, Arts 1 College, Maktub Arts and Poetic Unity have all played a huge role in my development. Each one gave me something different — discipline, creativity, confidence, and most importantly community.
“Storytelling has the power to bring people together, and I want to be part of building platforms that allow more people to tell their stories.”
Alongside acting, I’ve also started building my own creative platform, House of Vox. For me, being an artist isn’t just about performing — it’s about creating spaces where other voices can be heard too. Storytelling has the power to bring people together, and I want to be part of building platforms that allow more people to tell their stories.
There are also people who have shaped me along the way. My mum, whose belief in me has always been constant. My acting coach and mentor Alex Igbaoni, whose guidance and honesty have helped me grow both as an actor and as a person. Steffan Wade, who has supported and encouraged my journey. Above all, my faith and my belief in God, which continues to guide me through both the highs and the challenges of this career.
A lesson that continues to shape me as a performer is that acting isn’t just about performing well, it’s about telling the truth. Every rehearsal room, every stage and every set is an opportunity to connect with people honestly.
I’m still at the beginning of my journey, but I’m grateful for every experience, every mentor and every opportunity that has helped bring me here. And if there’s one thing I know for certain, it’s that I want to spend my life telling stories that make people feel seen.
