University News Last updated 15 March 2024
Final-year Acting student Shreya Lallu has won a Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award for her 鈥渋ndividual talent and ability in the art of acting for radio鈥�.
Shreya is one of three award winners this year, who will receive a five-month contract with the BBC鈥檚 Radio Drama Department, as members of the Radio Drama Company. Her contract is due to start in July 2024.
This BBC bursary award scheme, specifically for voice actors, has been run by the Radio Drama Department since 1953. It is open to one pair (two final-year students) or two pairs (four final-year students) from Acting schools that are members of the Federation of Drama Schools, such as RBC.
The bursary award scheme has a two-stage selection process: The submission of pre-recorded solos, and a live online audition of duologue and sight-reading. Shreya鈥檚 audition included a solo piece and a duologue with fellow final-year student Charlotte McDaid, who was also a finalist.
Shreya said: 鈥淚鈥檓 absolutely delighted to have been awarded the BBC Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award and cannot wait to begin the contract in July! I have loved every second of working with Charlotte and will forever value working with Director of BBC Radio 4鈥檚 鈥楾he Archers鈥� Peter Wild throughout the process 鈥� thanks to him for his guidance, support and drive. The overall experience was thoroughly enjoyable, and I鈥檓 thrilled to have the opportunity to expand my skills further as I join the Radio Drama Company later this year.鈥�
Charlotte said: 鈥淚鈥檓 really grateful to our tutors for making this process so enjoyable and to the BBC who run the Carleton Hobbs Bursary Awards for offering this incredible opportunity. I鈥檓 so happy to have reached the final with Shreya and I can鈥檛 wait to see where this takes us both!
Dani猫le Sanderson said: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a super result. I鈥檓 immensely proud of both Charlotte and Shreya who are two of the most lovely, hard-working young women you could meet. It is well deserved.鈥�