In 2008, the selection procedure will be held at Bush House, London in Studio N41 from Monday 10th to Thursday 13th (am only) March.

The Bursary Awards are conferred on the basis of individual talent and ability in the art of acting for radio. Candidates should be graduating students over the age of 16.

1. Each drama school should enter no more than four final year students (preferably two of each sex). The drama schools must have included regular tuition in radio acting technique as part of their curriculum. If candidates included are from overseas, they must have in place the necessary permissions to work in this country. The BBC will need to see evidence of these permissions.
2. Up to four candidates (2 actors and 2 actresses) will each be offered a binding five-month contract as members of the Radio Drama Company. These contracts do not allow for any period of notice during their course. Clauses within the Bursary Award contracts will make this clear - and in nominating their chosen candidates, drama schools must have ensured that the candidates are all fully aware of this condition of entry.
3. The title Carleton Hobbs Winner will only be formally bestowed when each candidate offered a Bursary Award has signed their contract to join the RDC.
4. The contracts are for a start date of no later than Saturday 26th July 2008 to allow for a preliminary week of familiarisation and related training.
5. Up to four runners-up (actors and actresses) will each be given a commitment to be engaged as freelance artists in one of Radio Drama's 2008/2009 projects.
6. Drama schools intending to take part must register with BBC Radio Drama by no later than January 25th 2008. Please contact Cynthia Fagan, RDC Administrator, Room G04, East Wing, Bush House, The Strand, London WC2B 4PH.
7. Drama schools must supply candidates' names, and fulfil the other entry requirements listed below, by Friday February 8th 2008.
8. Candidates may not be BBC staff members.

The Selection Process will consist of:-

1. Candidates' Sightreading/Warm-up
The text will be chosen by the BBC and given to the candidates on the day. The candidates will be taken through the piece, directed then recorded by a BBC Radio Drama producer.

2a Two solo contrasting pieces and one speech from a Classical/Period piece, chosen by each candidate
Together these three items should not last more than four minutes and should demonstrate range and versatility. It is preferable to choose pieces which don't involve more than one character. The pieces should be as different as possible, within the vocal age and accent range of the candidate concerned. Pieces should be edited carefully: it works best if the chosen speeches are not cut in the middle. None of these excerpts should be the same as the prepared duologues offered by the candidates (see 3 below). As this is an assessment of acting ability, it is not advisable to include straight readings or poems in this Section.

2b And a short piece of prose
We will provide a short piece of prose to each candidate when they first arrive at Bush House. We will hear this directly after each candidate has performed their own selection of three dramatic pieces (2a above).

3. Two prepared duologues
The candidates from each drama school will then reconvene in studio to perform two prepared duologues of their own choice, with a maximum combined duration of no more than 6 minutes. This should enable candidates to demonstrate their ability to interact with others. After each duologue is performed, one of the producers on the judging panel will have the opportunity to give notes and discuss the piece before recording the final take. The material ought not to be beyond the range and experience of those taking part, and should be conducted on one stereo microphone and not depend on studio or play-in sound effects. We advise selection of material for this slot to focus on modern pieces as most of the work Radio Drama undertakes is new writing with a chiefly contemporary setting.

A special commendation will be made to the Drama School for the best prepared duologues.

Entry Requirements

By 25th January 2008 we will require:

1. Cheque for One Hundred and Ten Pounds plus VAT (at 17.5%) made payable to the BBC by way of a registration fee per College entered (cheque to be sent direct to the RDC Administrator, Room G04 EW Bush House, The Strand, London WC2B 4PH)

By 8th February 2008 we will require:

1. The names, addresses, telephone numbers of the nominated students, together with 10" x 8" b/w photos and CVs of each.

2. Details (play, author and character) of candidates' individual choice of material.

3. One copy of the scripts of candidates' individual choice of material.

4. One copy of the script of the duologues, which should include the cast list.

(Please provide for the judges, a short context for the chosen scenes)

NB: Failure to supply all of the above by the due dates may result in disqualification from the event.