BBC
fellowship offers opportunity to actors in Scotland and Wales
BBC
Radio Drama is continuing its innovative fellowship scheme for actors
from non-traditional training backgrounds.
In
its second year, the Norman Beaton Fellowship will be reaching
out to Scotland and Wales for new talent.
BBC
Radio Drama launched the Norman Beaton Fellowship in 2003.
The
nationwide open auditions produced such a wealth of talent that
this year the BBC is also inviting back the best of last year's
finalists.
Open
to professional actors, actors returning to work, or those new to
the profession, the Norman Beaton Fellowship particularly hopes
to attract interest from people of Black, South Asian, or Far East
Asian origin to enter for the prestigious prize of a six month contract
with the BBC Radio Drama Company.
BBC
Radio Drama is offering this engagement to two actors, starting
28 August 2004, plus a chance for up to four runners up to appear
in a Radio Drama production.
Shabina
Aslam, BBC Radio Drama's Diversity Director, said: "This is
one of the best opportunities for kick starting a career in acting
with the BBC, and to have the chance to work with some of the best
actors around.
"It's
also an original scheme which we hope will over the years make a
difference to the representation of Black, Asian and Far East Asian
actors."
Audition
workshops will take place in Cardiff and Edinburgh.
Places are limited to 20 in each workshop.
Application
is by CV to be sent to the NBF Team by 15 February: Room G05, East
Wing, Bush House, London, WC2B 4PH.
In
the selection process for the workshops - held in Edinburgh on 24
February and Cardiff on 27 February - the organisers will be looking
primarily for actors resident in, or with strong connections to,
Wales or Scotland.
The
next stage will be heats in Manchester and London. Selected participants
from the workshops will be invited to attend the Manchester and
London heats as well as the best of last year's finalists.
Further
information can be found on the website - www.bbc.co.uk/nbf
There
is also an information line on 08709 020 777.
Related
release
Winners
of fellowship join BBC Radio Drama Company (01.08.03)
Notes
to Editors
Norman
Beaton was arguably Britain's best known Black actor until his untimely
death in 1994.
Known
by many for his role in Channel Four's hit comedy Desmonds, Norman
was also a prolific stage actor and appeared in many BBC Radio plays
from as early as 1966.
The
Norman Beaton Fellowship is a celebration of his work and builds
on his legacy.
Alongside
Norman Beaton, actors who have performed in BBC Radio Drama productions
include Cathy Tyson, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Adrian Lester, Adjoah
Andoh, David Harewood, Lenny Henry, Meera Syal, Nina Wadia, Ben
Onwukwe and David Yip.
This
initiative is a part of Soundstart - BBC Radio Drama's ongoing commitment
to developing actor talent new to radio - www.bbc.co.uk/soundstart.
The
BBC Radio Drama Company (RDC) has been in existence since 1940 and
won a special Sony Award in 1990 in recognition of 50 years' outstanding
contribution to radio.
The
RDC is an established training ground for new and established talent
in radio, and is the biggest producer of drama on radio in the world,
making more than 400 hours a year for BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4,
BBC World Service and the digital radio channel BBC 7.
Because
the BBC runs existing initiatives with some drama schools, students
or graduates of these schools will not be permitted to enter.
www.bbc.co.uk/drama/radio
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