NSDF Showcase 2008

NSDF and Spotlight auditioned over 100 students performing in shows in Edinburgh and the following people were chosen to take part in the Showcase on 23rd August attended by Casting Directors and Agents for all over the UK:

 

Laura Corbett

 

Laura has just finished a degree in English and Drama at Sussex University, whilst there she performed in several productions including 'Wit', 'Stags and Hens', 'Memory of Water' and Moliere's 'The Hypochondriac', which enjoyed a month-long run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2006. Prior to this she lived abroad, in Abu Dhabi and performed in the Disenfranchised Theatre Company's production of 'The Glass Menagerie,' 'Death and the Maiden,' and 'Two.' In Brighton, she has performed in TuckedIn Productions' debut show 'Oleanna,' and with OtherPlace Productions she has starred in Joe Penhall's 'Love and Understanding' and Chris Fittock’s 'Red' for the 2008 Brighton Festival Fringe. She also took part in the OldVic NewVoices' 24Hour Plays (Dec 2007), performing in Guy Picot's 'The Secret Life of a Joke'. Most recently she played Kath in an Ornate Johnson’s production of ‘The October Revolutions’ which will tour in autumn 2008 and is currently performing at the Pleasance Dome in Guy Incognito's 'The Straight Man'.

 

Eleanor Clarke

 

After gaining her LAMDA Acting Diploma, Eleanor graduated from Northumbria University in 2005 with an honours degree in drama. Credits include: Shiela in Iron (Northern Stage), Bessie Watty, The Corn is Green, Arabian Nights and an adaptation of Northanger Abbey. She appeared in the short film Runner and teaches dance and drama in several theatre schools. Finalist BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship. 

 

James Reid

 

James recently graduated from Oxford University where he immersed himself in the drama scene. He has played various lead roles including Eddy in Steven Berkoff's Greek and Elliot in Philip Ridley's Mercury Fur. At Oxford, he also acted the comic roles of Don Bazile in Beaumarchais' The Barber of Seville, and Vitoller in Stephen Briggs' adaptation of Wyrd Sisters. He has also taken part in larger scale performances at the Oxford Playhouse, playing, for example, Tweedledum in Alice Through the Looking Glass. He further acted in two student-produced films. As a member of the National Youth Theatre for the past 5 years, he gained experience part in both a performing and a technical capacity.

 

Helen Goalen

 

Credits include Before we Remember (Edinburgh fringe festival 2008), Rachel in My name is Rachel Corrie (University of Hull 2008), Strict Machine (NSDF 2008), Dorinda in The Tempest or The Enchanted Isle (University of Hull 2008), Helen in Under the Blue sky (University of Hull 2007).

 

Jack Chedburn

 

Jack is about to enter his third and final year as an undergraduate, reading English at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. He has performed in twelve productions in Oxford, including: The Weir, Gloss (both BT studio); Abigail’s Party, Macbeth, Measure for Measure, Heartbreak House (all OFS studio); and The Duchess of Malfi (Oxford Playhouse). He also co-wrote a play, Roussos! which was performed at the BT in November 2007, and appeared in the same years’ OUDS Summer Tour production of Arcadia. He is a writer and performer in the Oxford Revue, appearing regularly in shows throughout term time. He is currently performing in two productions at the Fringe: The Oxford Revue: Bonfire of the Ottomans (Underbelly) and Little Shop of Horrors (C too). Outside of term time, he lives near Newcastle, and can see the seaside.

 

Anna Wheatley

 

Anna is currently a student at the University of Nottingham where she is studying Spanish and Portuguese. With the Nottingham New Theatre, Anna performed at NSDF 08 as Catherine in Proof where she was presented with the Spotlight award for best actress. This year she rejoins the team behind Proof in the Fringe production of The Bear Who Paints at Pleasance Courtyard. Anna’s passion for the arts also extends to musical theatre, recently taking on challenging roles such as The Baker’s Wife in Sondheim’s Into The Woods. As part of her degree Anna will spend the next year in Spain and Brazil where she hopes to continue acting.

 

Felix Trench

 

Felix was born and raised in Brussels. He is studying for a degree in Ancient History at the University of Edinburgh. Felix' Brussels credits include Joey in Road, Rev. Hale in The Crucible and Malvolio in Twelfth Night. Since arriving in Edinburgh, he has been an active member of the student theatre company based at the Bedlam theatre. His student credits include Graham in Talking Heads, Sidney in Alan Ayckbourn's Absurd Person Singular and Greg in Howard Brenton's Gum and Goo. This Fringe he is appearing as the tiger in The Last Yak with the awarding winning puppet company Pangolin's Teatime.

 

Katherine Press

 

Katherine trained at Elmhurst School for Dance and Central School of Ballet, where she took part in performances at the Bloomsbury Theatre and Cochrane Theatre, London, and the Royal Opera House's Linbury Studio Theatre, before joining Ballet Central for their 2005 UK Tour. She is now at the University of Cambridge where she has performed in Love's Labours Lost, Durrematt's The Physicists and as Lady Windermere in Lady Windermere's Fan, as well as newly written works. At the Edinburgh Fringe 2008, she performed in Debbie Tucker Green's Stoning Mary with the New Cambridge Theatre Company at Underbelly. Katherine also has some film experience, including in a short film The Invitation at the Roundhouse.

 

Paddy Loughman

 

Paddy is a 22-year-old English Literature Student at the University of Edinburgh, going in to his fourth and final year of study. He performs regularly with the Edinburgh University Theatre Company at the Bedlam theatre, with parts including Berowne (Love’s Labour’s Lost), Moon (The Real Inspector Hound), Block (The Trial) and Jim (Humble Boy). With the rest of his time Paddy beatboxes professionally, and has appeared in a few short films. This fringe Paddy performs with the award-winning puppet company Pangolin’s Teatime in The Last Yak and Aeneas Faversham Forever. After university Paddy hopes to pursue a career in acting. 

 

Charlotte Binns

 

Since graduating in 2004 Charlie has worked both in the UK and abroad, touring Italy. Recent theatre credits include: Various Short Cuts (Live Theatre), Josie in Iron (Northern Stage), Lucinda in Bit of Respect (Operating Theatre) Gwendolyn in The Importance of Being Earnest (Palketto Stage), Sylv East (3 Male Theatre Company).

 

Alastair Mavor

 

Alastair Mavor is 19 years old. He was born in London and won a Drama Scholarship to Tonbridge School aged 12. He subsequently performed in the following productions: The Dumb Waitor (Gus), The Government Inspector (Governor), The Rivals (Faulkland), Teechers (Salty), A Servant to Two Masters (Florindo), The Visit (Mayor), Journey's End (Stanhope), Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - Opera (Prime Minister). He acted and co-directed in a sell-out production of Someone Who'll Watch Over Me at last year's Edinburgh Fringe, and is also a member of the NYT. He appeared in a lead role in Boys of the Empire at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, as well as performing in What's Wrong With Angry. 

 

Camilla Higgins

 

Camilla is a student at Edinburgh University reading Ancient History and Archaeology. She has taken part in many amateur productions from a very young age, attending both StageCoach Theatre Arts and Youth Lyric (Belfast) with whom she performed in Teechers and A Midsummer Night's Dream. At University she has become involved both on and off stage with its two theatre companies, Bedlam and Paradok. She has taken on various roles in a range of plays, from Woyczeck and Rhinoceros to comedy sketch shows. At this year's Fringe she is performing in a student devised play at the Forest Cafe, and stage-managed a production of Philotus at the Zoo Southside. After finishing her degree she hopes to get onto an actor training course to further her vocational development. 

 

Rachel Adamson

 

Rachel studied Performing Arts at Sunderland University and San Diego State University, California. Recent theatre credits include: Kitty Farelly in A Man of No Importance, Kate in Blasted (SDSU), Young Fay in Iron (Northern Stage/Live Theatre), Valerie in The Weir (Live Theatre Showcase at The Royal Court). Rachel has played parts in independent and student films. The Drowned Maid in The Picture House Exhibition at Belsay Hall. Finalist BBC Norman Beaton Fellowship.

 

Robin Stewart

 

Originally from Norfolk, Robin is currently in his third year of a History and History of Art MA at the University of Edinburgh.  At university Robin has been involved in numerous productions with the Edinburgh University Theatre Company, including Romeo & Juliet, Saved, Love's Labour's Lost, The Crucible, Marry Me A Little and The Cosmonauts Last Message To The Woman He Once Loved In The Former Soviet Union, as well as five fringe productions including The Umbilical Project (2006), The Tempest (2007), Ritter Dene Voss (2007) and Company (2008), and three Edinburgh University Footlights productions (42nd Street, West Side Story and Crazy For You).  Robin is also the director of the Improverts; an improvised comedy sketch group that perform every Friday night during term time, and every night of the fringe to sell-out audiences at the Bedlam Theatre.  Robin trained at the Arts Educational School, Tring Park. 

 

Helen Embleton

Helen graduated from Birmingham School of Acting in 2006. Recent theatre credits include: Alice in Transgenia (Operating Theatre), Bethany in Pub Quiz (New Writing North), Maggie in Saturday Matinee (Tyneside Cinema) and Fay in Iron (Northern Stage - Winner of Spotlight Best Actress Award at NSDF 2007).