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For many of our pupils, the stage of the Memorial Hall is just the beginning of a lifelong adventure in the performing arts. For Emily Lunt (Class of 2011), it was the springboard for a spectacular nine-year career performing on some of the world’s largest cruise ships. Today, we catch up with Emily to chat about her favourite school memories, life on the ocean wave with Royal Caribbean, and the invaluable lessons she learned along the way.
Emily’s time at NULS was defined by a rich variety of opportunities. Far from being funnelled down a single path, she was encouraged to explore every facet of school life, learning to adapt to different environments and teaching styles.
“I think something NULS taught me incredibly well was how to be adaptable and open to different situations,” Emily reflects. “During my time there, I took part in so many varied activities, lessons, drama productions, and dance classes. It really taught me to be open to different ways of learning and interacting with people. Because of the diverse teaching styles and activity-based learning, I left NULS with a wonderfully broad spectrum of experience.”
It was within this nurturing environment that Emily began to explore her artistic talents. Already an avid dancer outside of school, the NULS drama department opened her eyes to new creative possibilities.
“It was fantastic to be part of such a talented group of peers at school,” she says. “While I was primarily focused on dance at the time, many of my school friends were more drama-led, which inspired me to explore acting. I remember looking up to some of the older students who were just amazing. We did a production of Anything Goes, and the girl who played the lead absolutely inspired me. I realised that while it was great to be a strong dancer, I wanted to push myself further, explore drama, and develop the confidence to portray a character rather than just being part of the ensemble. Confidence was a massive takeaway for me.”
That confidence wasn’t just limited to the stage; it was a core part of NULS’s ethos.
“NULS really instils a sense of self-belief. Every teacher and pupil I came across championed that drive to be confident and believe in what you are capable of. It helped me become aware of what I excelled in, understand where I might need to work harder, and learn how to get the best out of myself.”
While Emily knew from an early age that her heart belonged to musical theatre, she was determined to excel academically and keep up with her love for sports. Her favourite memory from school perfectly encapsulates just how varied and active her time at NULS was.
“Funnily enough, one memory that really sticks with me is competing at Northwood for Sports Day,” Emily laughs. “I looked forward to it so much because I absolutely loved athletics. I remember the feeling of being part of a team, representing the school, and feeling like an important part of something bigger. Competing in the high jump at Northwood is a real highlight for me. Travelling there on the bus with all my friends was just brilliant. Along with the school shows, it’s one of my fondest memories.”
Balancing academic excellence with intensive performing arts and athletics might sound daunting, but Emily thrived on the challenge.
“I knew quite early on in my school experience that I wanted to pursue dance and musical theatre. However, my parents were very keen for me to keep my academic studies at a high level. Because I genuinely enjoyed athletics and my subjects, balancing them felt natural—when you love what you do, you want to make time for it. My parents were incredibly encouraging, and because I’m someone who likes to achieve to a high standard, I simply made sure I managed my time to get everything done.”
After completing her A-Levels and deciding to focus fully on her passion for the performing arts, Emily secured a place at the prestigious Bird College of Dance and Music in Sidcup, Kent. Over three intense years of professional training, she honed her craft, culminating in a life-changing audition in her final term.
“In the final year of college, I auditioned for Royal Caribbean’s production of We Will Rock You,” Emily recalls. “I found out in the May of my final year that I’d got the job, and I was scheduled to leave that August. Getting that first professional contract—knowing all the hard work had been worth it—was an incredible feeling. It is a tough industry, and when you choose this path, you have no idea how it will pan out.”
Securing that first job marked the beginning of a thrilling nine-year career on the ocean.
“For a cruise contract, you typically spend two months rehearsing in Miami before boarding the ship for ten months,” Emily explains. “My first ship was based out of Bayonne, New Jersey, right near New York, and we cruised around the Caribbean performing We Will Rock You. It was a dream first job!”
Her journey with Royal Caribbean didn’t stop there. Emily went on to perform in the original cast of Hairspray on the historic Symphony of the Seas, where the entire show was built around the original cast. She then spent several years playing Patty Simcox and understudying the iconic role of Rizzo in Grease.
“Covering Rizzo was a real milestone for me,” Emily says. “Having always viewed dance as my main strength, stepping into a major acting and singing role made me realise that all the time I’d put into my drama at school had truly paid off. It highlighted how vital it is in musical theatre to be a ‘triple threat’—strong in all three disciplines.”
Emily’s talent and work ethic eventually led her into leadership. Returning to We Will Rock You—this time on ships operating out of Southampton, allowing her family to watch her perform—she rose to Assistant Dance Captain, and ultimately, Dance Captain.
“Stepping into the Dance Captain role on the very show I started my career with was a beautiful full-circle moment,” Emily shares. “On a ship, being Dance Captain carries a lot of responsibility. Once the director and choreographer install the show and leave, it is entirely up to you to keep the production in pristine condition and look after the cast of 23.”
Living and working in a tight-knit community of performers presents unique challenges, especially when things go wrong live on stage.
“On land, a show might have swings or understudies waiting in the wings. On a ship, your cast of 23 is all you have,” Emily explains. “If someone is injured or falls ill, the entire cast looks to you to make it work. You have to think on your feet instantly.
“I remember a show where midway through, the lead actress turned to me and said her voice had completely gone. Her understudy had only just started and had minimal rehearsal. I asked her, ‘Can you do this?’ and she said yes. I had to coordinate dressing her, getting her on stage, and reshuffling the rest of the cast—who was moving what scenery, who was partnering whom—all within a seven-minute pause while the audience sat out front! If you can’t make those quick, high-stakes decisions, it can be a incredibly stressful job. But knowing the show inside out gave me the confidence to handle it.”
Beyond the stage management, Emily also had to navigate the delicate balance of living with her colleagues.
“You live with the people you work with, so establishing a boundary between your social life and your work persona is essential. As Dance Captain, you have to give notes to your peers about what didn’t go well the night before. Everyone responds differently; some prefer direct feedback, others need a gentler touch. Learning how to inspire people while maintaining exceptionally high standards was a brilliant learning curve.”
After nearly a decade at sea, Emily made the decision to return to land—a transition that came with its own unique adjustments.
“Initially, it was a bit of a shock!” Emily admits. “When you’ve lived at sea for that long, you actually forget how to do everyday tasks. It took me a little while to find my feet. But it’s lovely to have a normal routine, and simple pleasures like deciding exactly what and when you want to eat are wonderful! Today, I’m a fully qualified dance teacher and Pilates instructor. I’ve been freelancing, teaching, and choreographing, which keeps me very busy. I don’t see myself returning to ships right now, but you never know where life will take you!”
One of Emily’s biggest post-pandemic realisations was the importance of keeping work and hobbies separate.
“When your hobby becomes your job, you can lose your creative outlet. When Covid hit and the industry shut down, I realised I didn’t know who I was if I wasn’t performing. That led me to take up running and reading. Having interests outside of dance is so important. It’s incredibly easy to get swept up in the performance bubble and forget what regular life looks like. Having hobbies keeps you grounded.”
For any current NULS students dreaming of a career in the performing arts, Emily has some brilliant, practical advice.
On Managing Rejection:
“In this industry, rejection is constant. It took me a long time to realise that walking away from an audition and trying to analyse why you didn’t get the part is a waste of time. You will never get the peace of mind you are looking for. The quicker you can let it go and look forward to the next audition, the better.”
On Standing Out in Auditions:
“Attention to detail is key. If a choreographer gives a specific instruction, they are looking for the people who actually listen and apply it. You can be the most amazing dancer in the room, but if you can’t take direction, you will be difficult to work with. Additionally, try to relax. If you bring a calm, genuine energy to the room, the panel relaxes too, making it a positive experience for everyone.”
On Advising Her Younger Self:
“I think we all know what our weaknesses are, but when you’re young, it feels scary to step out of your comfort zone. If I could go back, I would tell myself to lean into the discomfort of my weaknesses and work on them, rather than just sticking to my strengths. Levelling up your weaker areas is what truly builds confidence and expands your skill set.”
To close our chat, Emily shared a wonderful anecdote that she carries with her to this day.
“I have always been quite hard on myself. I remember a performance of Grease where I was playing Patty Simcox. I had a routine where I had to throw and catch a baton, and I had rehearsed it endlessly. During one live show, I dropped it. I was so embarrassed and sat down backstage with the actor playing Eugene. He looked at me and said, ‘Oh, don’t worry. Even monkeys fall out of trees.’ That quote has stayed with me forever. It’s such a comforting reminder that even creatures born to do something can still get it wrong sometimes. As someone who holds herself to a high standard, it’s a lovely little reminder that it is completely okay if things don’t always go perfectly.”
Thank you so much to Emily for sharing her wonderful journey with us. We wish her the very best of luck with all her future endeavours!
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