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BSA Graduate commended in spotlight showcase

5101/DV 21 st July 2008

Birmingham School of Acting (BSA) graduate, Iris Roberts, has been highly commended in this year’s Spotlight showcase, a drama competition for acting graduates.

This annual event showcases 44 cream-of-the-crop male and female drama school graduates, who have been hand-selected by their Schools, from the 22 institutions which make up the Conference of Drama Schools.

In front of an impressive audience of well known casting directors, agents and a panel of esteemed judges, Iris had three minutes to impress and show off her talents in ‘Gimme Gimme’ from Thoroughly Modern Millie by Dick Scalna and Jeanine Tesori.

Stephen Simms, Head of BSA, said: “Iris truly deserves this recognition as one of the leading actors in her year. We were confident her talent would shine through and that she has the confidence to handle such a highly pressurised event.

“One of the great things about Spotlight is that the audience and judging panel are not advised of which School each student has graduated from, making the competition a completely even playing field.”

For the award of highly commended female actor Iris picked up a prize of £1,000 which she will use towards the expenses of launching her career which include purchasing a new laptop so she is contactable via email for potential casting director.

Iris is currently preparing for her forthcoming role as Jayne Casey in Eric’s at Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse. Written by the award-winning Liverpool writer Mark Davies Markham, Eric’s is a new musical specially commissioned for the European Capital of Culture and follows the hit musical Taboo.

The judging panel comprised of Nigel Seale, head of Spotlight; casting directors David Grindrod, Anne McNulty and Gail Stevens; agent Dallas Smith; Notting Hill actor, Hugh Bonneville and BT advert actor, Esther Hall.

Spotlight, founded in 1927, has become world famous for its casting directories and boasts over 30,000 performers.

For further information please contact Birmingham City University Media Relations Office on 0121 331 6738, email press@bcu.ac.uk or out of hours on 07967 271 532.

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