Killian Monson (93-04) spent seven years in Manchester in the world of stand-up comedy after moving to the city to study Media and Performance at the University of Salford.

He said: “The course had a final year module in stand up comedy which Peter Kay, Jason Manford and several other working comedians had previously done, but I actually started gigging a few months into being a fresher. I would mainly just rant to my friends on campus who found it funny and one of them booked me at the local comedy club without my knowledge. The universe played a very cruel trick on me that night; I got some laughs. So basically, I just got thrown into the deep end and learnt the hard way from there!”

Bookings for Killian grew once he started winning The Comedy Store’s Gong Show, renowned as London’s most brutal open mic night. Killian commented: “If you can handle yourself and win those shows you instantly gain the respect of a lot of peers in the comedy scene.”

From there, Killian went on to perform at venues across the country including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He also worked with several well-known comedians such as Jason Manford, John Bishop, Alan Carr, Reg D Hunter, and Jim Jeffries, and had the opportunity to open for Michael McIntyre before he was famous, and the late Sean Locke.

However, in 2012, seeking a change from the toll of continuous performing and travelling, he embarked on a new career path in post-production, where his skill, in video editing picked up while studying A level Art at Pocklington, came to the fore.

As a video editor, colourist and VFX artist, Killian has had the opportunity to work with leading media organisations such as the BBC and ITV. A key area of his work is using specialist software and gaming engines to model props and environments or backgrounds that are used in video games. He also creates the computer graphic visual effects for a range of video elements from explosions, waterfalls, and bullet ricochets to magic force fields!

Realising his true passion remained in the performing arts, an interest he had continued to pursue behind the scenes while working in video production, Killian moved his career focus back to performing. He now tutors young hopefuls in film and television for the Pauline Quirke Academy.

Looking back over his career to date and what advice he could give to any young person looking to work in the performing arts sector, Killian said: “Be aware of the competitiveness of the industry; you are likely to face a huge amount of rejection but try not to take it personally - a difficult ask as performers and artists tend to be more sensitive souls by nature. Also, seek as much advice as possible from those with knowledge and experience. And never let your ego get in the way.”