Happy, who is entering her final year at the Bermuda High School, hopes to attend sixth form college in England and then go on to drama school.

She explained that she has always had an interest in acting but she said: `This year has been kind of wild''.

This summer she has been part of the Jabulani dinner theatre which shows four nights a week at the Princess Hotel.

"The experience has been really interesting, especially since we do British farces for an American majority audience,'' Happy said. "It is a lot of fun.'' She also noted that she had particularly enjoyed the opportunity to work with many talented actors.

"They are such a great cast, all very experienced, and we all just love getting out there and performing,'' she said.

As another summer project Happy has done some voice-overs for the Department of Tourism.

And she already has a role in the Bermuda Festival where she will play the role of Anne in the musical by Steven Sondheim "A Little Night Music'' in February.

The talented teen said the key to her acting success was her versatility.

"I am able to do anything from Shakespeare to comedy to straight drama and that has been very useful,'' she admitted.

However, Happy said she preferred theatre to film.

"You just get more energy and feedback,'' she explained. "It is generally more fulfilling.'' Happy said people had had a mixed reaction to her career goals in acting.

"Some people think that I should pursue my academic career first and foremost as there is more stability in that area,'' she said, "but overall most people support me.

Happy admitted that finding work as an actress was a difficult task and that, she said, was why she did not plan on returning to Bermuda to work.

"I will definitely visit, but overall it is just too small, and you can't make a living as an actor here,'' she said.

Another issue which Happy said turned her off about the Island was people's unwillingness to accept people for who they are.

Happy said she believed that the root of this problem was the "small-mindedness'' which an Island like Bermuda generated.

The native Bermudian said she was looking forward to next year when she would be able to spread her wings and travel.

When Happy is not acting she can be found reading, preferably Russian literature, or playing her violin. She recently finished reading Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov.

Happy lives with her mother in Somerset. "She's taught me that hard work and perseverance get you where you want to be.'' When asked about relaxation time, the busy teen released an exhausted sigh and said: "I haven't really had the time this summer, but when I do I like going to the beach.'' HAPPY LINDSAY