BBC fellowship offers opportunity to actors in Scotland and Wales
BBC Radio Drama is continuing its innovative fellowship scheme for actors from non-traditional training backgrounds.
In its second year, the Norman Beaton Fellowship will be reaching out to Scotland and Wales for new talent.
BBC Radio Drama launched the Norman Beaton Fellowship in 2003.
The nationwide open auditions produced such a wealth of talent that this year the BBC is also inviting back the best of last year's finalists.
Open to professional actors, actors returning to work, or those new to the profession, the Norman Beaton Fellowship particularly hopes to attract interest from people of Black, South Asian, or Far East Asian origin to enter for the prestigious prize of a six month contract with the BBC Radio Drama Company.
BBC Radio Drama is offering this engagement to two actors, starting 28 August 2004, plus a chance for up to four runners up to appear in a Radio Drama production.
Shabina Aslam, BBC Radio Drama's Diversity Director, said: "This is one of the best opportunities for kick starting a career in acting with the BBC, and to have the chance to work with some of the best actors around.
"It's also an original scheme which we hope will over the years make a difference to the representation of Black, Asian and Far East Asian actors."
Audition workshops will take place in Cardiff and Edinburgh. Places are limited to 20 in each workshop.
Application is by CV to be sent to the NBF Team by 15 February: Room G05, East Wing, Bush House, London, WC2B 4PH.
In the selection process for the workshops - held in Edinburgh on 24 February and Cardiff on 27 February - the organisers will be looking primarily for actors resident in, or with strong connections to, Wales or Scotland.
The next stage will be heats in Manchester and London. Selected participants from the workshops will be invited to attend the Manchester and London heats as well as the best of last year's finalists.
Further information can be found on the website - www.bbc.co.uk/nbf
There is also an information line on 08709 020 777.
Related release
Winners of fellowship join BBC Radio Drama Company(01.08.03)
Notes to Editors
Norman Beaton was arguably Britain's best known Black actor until his untimely death in 1994.
Known by many for his role in Channel Four's hit comedy Desmonds, Norman was also a prolific stage actor and appeared in many BBC Radio plays from as early as 1966.
The Norman Beaton Fellowship is a celebration of his work and builds on his legacy.
Alongside Norman Beaton, actors who have performed in BBC Radio Drama productions include Cathy Tyson, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Adrian Lester, Adjoah Andoh, David Harewood, Lenny Henry, Meera Syal, Nina Wadia, Ben Onwukwe and David Yip.
This initiative is a part of Soundstart - BBC Radio Drama's ongoing commitment to developing actor talent new to radio - www.bbc.co.uk/soundstart.
The BBC Radio Drama Company (RDC) has been in existence since 1940 and won a special Sony Award in 1990 in recognition of 50 years' outstanding contribution to radio.
The RDC is an established training ground for new and established talent in radio, and is the biggest producer of drama on radio in the world, making more than 400 hours a year for BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC World Service and the digital radio channel BBC 7.
Because the BBC runs existing initiatives with some drama schools, students or graduates of these schools will not be permitted to enter.
www.bbc.co.uk/drama/radio
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