Published: Thursday, 7th August, 2008 16:00
Starstruck for school cash
By Annabel Williams
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High stakes: Natalie Gray needs at least £13,000 a year for her place at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.
Pic by: Andy Evans
A RISING star from Emmer Green has beaten 4,000 others to a place at a top London stage school...but now faces an entirely different kind of battle.
Natalie Gray won one of 60 places on a three-year performing arts diploma course at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.
But to take up her place, the 18-year-old will have to stump up tuition fees of £13,000 a year before she pays for accommodation – and the uniform alone is £700.
While her parents are doing all they can, the resourceful youngster is planning various events over the coming months including a race night and a concert to raise cash, and is working during the summer holidays at Caversham Health and Fitness.
Natalie, who is waiting for A-level results in drama, dance and classical civilisation, says even though she auditioned for a few other stage schools, she felt instantly at home at Conti’s because she attended classes there for five years until starting at The Henley College at 15.
Natalie began looking for a stage school place and applying last September, with schools charging between £25-£45 just to audition, with some auditions lasting just 15 minutes.
Natalie, who lives in Gravel Hill with parents Trevor and Debbie, used material from her dance and drama A-levels for her all-day Italia Conti audition, in which she had to perform a song, two monologues and two contrasting dances and be interviewed.
She said: “I absolutely loved the day. I usually come out of auditions a bit down if they don’t go well but I was so excited.
“When I went in, I felt like I was at home. I’ve always loved Conti’s, there’s just something about it.
"My best friend is going in to the third year now and she tells me all about how good it is and how hard they work.
“I’m organising some events to raise money because I want people to know about what I’ll be doing, rather than just asking them to give me a couple of quid.”
Email Natalie at natalie150590@aol.com
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