Prestigious drama schools beckon for talented scholars

Published by Oakham School on Wednesday 27th of April 2016

Two of Oakham’s actors have received offers from internationally renowned drama schools after impressing admissions tutors during rigorous audition processes. Amber and Tom, who were recently seen starring on the QET stage in the Scholars’ Production of By the Bog of Cats, were both accepted onto programmes at two of the most highly regarded drama schools in the world. Amber won her place on the three-year Acting degree programme at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in New York, joining the ranks of notable alumni such as Anne Hathaway, Paul Rudd, Jessica Chastain and Robert Redford. Not only did Amber gain selection from hundreds of candidates, but she also achieved the remarkable feat of gaining a perfect score in her audition, for which she was awarded a much-coveted Merit Scholarship. Tom, meanwhile, was offered a place on the intensive one-year Acting Foundation course at the Oxford School of Drama, Competition for places on this programme is especially fierce, as the school only accepts a small amount of students every year. Tom will be following in the footsteps of many illustrious actors, including several Old Oakhamians. Stars of stage and screen Lydia Rose Bewley (03) and Nicholas Banks (05) both undertook training at the Oxford School of Drama, while more recently, Lucy Johnson (13) took a six-month Acting and Musical Theatre course there before gaining a place at The Lir Academy in Dublin. Director of Drama Gilly Norell said, “I am incredibly proud of Amber and Tom for taking their first steps into their promising careers, especially given how fiercely competitive it is to win a place to study acting. To be accepted into these world-renowned institutions is an enormous achievement, and further cements Oakham’s reputation for encouraging outstanding acting talent.”