University News Last updated 26 March 2012
Adam Lawrence, a third year BA (Hons) Acting student at Birmingham School of Acting (BSA), is to appear in the industry-recognised 2012 Spotlight Showcase, where he will compete for the title of 'Best Actor'.
The Spotlight Prize recognises the importance of full-time vocational training, such as the BA (Hons) Acting course at BSA, and promotes the next generation's acting talent by asking 21 drama schools from across the UK to select their most promising student to compete and represent their school. Adam, selected by BSA for his talent and potential, will have three minutes to perform in front of a VIP audience of casting directors, agents, producers, directors and actors. There is not only the chance of winning the top prize of £2,000, but also recognition from the experts in the audience along with the possibility of future employment.
Adam Lawrence, from Birmingham, has recently appeared in BSA productions of 'The May Queen', 'Assassins' and 'The Revenger's Tragedy' and is about to perform at BSA's own Showcase events in Birmingham and London in front of an invited audience from the acting industry alongside his fellow third year students.
Adam said: "I feel honoured and overwhelmed to be representing Birmingham School of Acting at the 2012 Spotlight Showcase.
"Having grown up in Birmingham, the opportunity to represent not just the school but also my city is something I am extremely proud of. My training at BSA has taught me more than just how to act; it's really developed my personality. Acting training is a life experience of its own, and BSA has really prepared me for going into the industry.
"I am going to make the most of this opportunity, and do myself, BSA and my city proud at this competition."
The Showcase is held annually by the actor directory, Spotlight, which is used daily to cast hundreds of roles across stage, television, film and radio. Past prize-winners include Judi Dench, Zoe Wanamaker, Robert Lindsay and Jim Broadbent.
Speaking at the launch of the awards, Spotlight's Head of Client Relations Pippa Harrison said, "The Spotlight Showcase is a fantastic opportunity for these 21 students to perform in front of the most influential experts in the industry. There are many potential employers in the audience, and this is a wonderful opportunity for some of the UK's brightest talent to launch their careers.
"We're proud of the history of the Spotlight Prize's role in spotting some of the best acting talent over the past 60 years and the career paths of our past winners have shown that the Prize is an amazingly effective springboard into the industry."
The 2012 Spotlight Showcase will take place in London on 17 July.