Growing up in a single-parent household in Pembrokeshire, Yasemin Özdemir relied on grants, scholarships, and bursaries to pursue her passion for acting - and years later, she’s about to take to the stage alongside Michael Sheen in Welsh National Theatre’s first production.

From local youth theatre to opportunities with the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Yasemin carved her path in the arts with determination and drive, and now, her journey is reaching the biggest stage.

Audiences across Wales are in for a theatrical first, as Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic Our Town is brought to life with a fully Welsh cast and creative team – the first time in the play’s 87-year history.

Yasemin first encountered Our Town in 2016, while preparing for drama school auditions, and instantly fell in love with it. That same year, she played Juliet in the National Youth Theatre of Wales’s Romeo and Juliet.

Nearly a decade later, she joins Michael Sheen’s newly launched Welsh National Theatre to perform in Our Town, the company’s inaugural production, in a co-production with the Rose Theatre.

This landmark production marks the debut outing of the Welsh National Theatre, a bold new company celebrating Welsh storytelling and talent on both national and international stages.

Directed by Swansea-born Francesca Goodridge, starring Michael Sheen as the Stage Manager, and with Russell T Davies as Creative Associate, Our Town will tour Wales, with performances in Swansea, Llandudno and Mold, before heading to London.

A graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (2020), Özdemir has built an impressive career on both stage and screen.

Her theatre work includes Angel - for which she received a Best Lead Performance nomination at the 2022 OFFIES - as well as You Bury Me and Dance to the Bone. Her screen appearances include A Spy Among Friends (ITV), Vandullz (BBC), and the short film Yummy Mummy.

Known for her dynamic stage presence and skill in physical performance, Özdemir brings energy, empathy, and authenticity to her roles, qualities that make her an exciting addition to this landmark Welsh production.

Yasemin said: “Being part of Michael Sheen’s Welsh National Theatre feels like a full-circle moment for me. I know that he’s passionate about discovering talent from all backgrounds, including those of us who’ve had to fight to access opportunities in the arts.”

“I’m thrilled to bring this timeless story to life, with such an incredible team.”

Michael Sheen, Artistic Director of Welsh National Theatre, said: “This is an incredible opportunity to present a Welsh interpretation of a classic which tours our nation and takes our voice to London, giving Welsh talent a platform to perform. We can’t wait to meet audiences and welcome them to our world.”

Russell T Davies, Creative Associate, added: “In this strange and maddening world, the emergence of a Welsh cultural force is exactly what we need. I’m so proud to be part of the Our Town team, a wonderful play that fits an intimate Welsh setting instantly and perfectly.”

A co-production with Rose Theatre, Kingston-upon-Thames, the production brings together some of Wales’s most celebrated artists to reimagine Wilder’s timeless story of community, love, and everyday life, with a distinctly Welsh heartbeat.

The production will play the Swansea Grand Theatre (Friday 16 January-Saturday 31 January), Venue Cymru in Llandudno (Tuesday 3 February-Saturday 7 February), Theatr Clwyd in Mold (Wednesday 11 February-Saturday 21 February) and the Rose Theatre, Kingston-upon-Thames (Thursday 26 February-28 March).

Tickets are available here