A DALE teenager has been given the chance of a lifetime to further her dreams of a career in performing arts.
Izzy Yeadon says she only put her name forward for a place at Arts Educational Schools (ArtsEd) in London, one of the top drama schools in the UK, to gain experience before seriously applying next year.
Having undergone the exhaustive application process she said she was staggered to be offered one of just 30 coveted places on ArtsEd’s one-year foundation course.
“Firstly, I had to submit two monologues that I had self-taped. That got me through to the next round,” she said.
“Then I had to go to London for a full day of auditions. This included things like a movement workshop, voice workshop and a one-on-one interview along with a screen test. I then had to recite the two monologues again.
“I only applied this year because I did not think I would get in – I did it for the experience for next year.”
Izzy said the foundation course would cover all elements of drama, including singing, movement and some dance after which she could go on to study drama at degree level.
To make it a double celebration, Izzy, from Startforth, has also been accepted as a member of the National Youth Theatre (NYT) after completing a successful online audition.
She is currently taking part in a NYT residential course after which she will have the chance to take part in other youth theatre activities.
“I have loved doing theatre and drama since primary school and then I joined the Turrets.”
She said former Turrets director Rupert Philbrick had played a big part in developing her passion for performance.
“He gave me my first part in a play called Space Wang – I was thrown in at the deep end and I loved it.
“Then I got into British Youth Musical Theatre, which is similar to NYT, and went to see as many shows as possible.”
After studying for GCSEs at Teesdale School Izzy, 18, successfully auditioned for a drama scholarship at Barnard Castle School alongside her A levels.
“That has given me big roles in big school productions, everything from Bill Sykes in Oliver to Catherine of Aragon,” she said.
Izzy has launched a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of her ArtsEd and NYT adventures which are likely to run into tens of thousands of pounds.
As part of this, Izzy was on stage at the Old Well, in Barnard Castle, on Saturday singing alongside her musical partner Sam Banner.
She has also set up an online Gofundme page which has so far raised almost £1,500 – enough to cover the NYT course fees.
Anyone wishing to help Izzy can go to www.gofundme .com/f/izzy-to-national-youth- theatre-artsed.
