Tyler's Story - Humans of NYT REP
Tyler Kinghorn's roles are Gonzalo, Gratiano & Chorus in our NYT REP Company production of Twelfth Night, playing at our Workshop Theatre until 18 December. Book tickets from £15 now.
Born and raised Croydon, South London, I never imagined traveling the world would become a part of my story. Growing up, money was tight, and my dreams often felt confined within the concrete box of my surroundings. That all changed when my dear friend Kay, fed up with seeing me trapped in this cycle, gifted me a trip to Gothenburg, Sweden, and Budapest, Hungary. It was there that my eyes were opened to the beauty and diversity of the world. Meeting people from vastly different backgrounds, I was struck by their unique mannerisms, perspectives, and stories. They moved differently, thought differently, and carried the weight of experiences I had never fathomed. The inspiration I felt was limitless, and for the first time, I understood that there was a whole world of humanity to explore and reflect in my work as a Thespian.
As a self-proclaimed “character actor”—though I’m not fond of the term—these experiences became one of the most important foundations for my craft. I constantly ask myself, "How can I tell the truth with the text and my physicality so convincingly, that the audience forgets that they’re watching a rehearsed performance?" Observing people from various walks of life—rich and poor, Black and White, religious and secular, from homes of safety or war—taught me to embody the essence of others with authenticity and care. Having conversations with actors from Greece and Croatia in particular, some struggling due to a lack of funding and opportunity or the simple access to a theatre, deepened my gratitude for the relative privilege I have in London. Despite the challenges I face—mold on my walls or an empty fridge—I’ve never struggled to find a space to hone my craft. Those interactions not only shaped my approach to acting but also reminded me of the responsibility and privilege of being a storyteller. I am forever grateful to the people I’ve met and to the city that allows me to chase my dreams, no matter how rough the path may seem. I don’t do this for just myself, but for my family, friends and the actors I met along the way who unfortunately had to put their scripts down for good.
I used to want to change my city with my acting, now I want to change the world with it instead. Glory to God.