Rhiannon Clements from ALRA North has been named Best Stage Actor at this year’s Spotlight Prize, with Lucy Reynolds from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama being named Best Screen Actor. Rhiannon and Lucy were two of 20 students nominated from the UK’s leading drama schools who competed at the Spotlight Prize 2019 on 16th July.
Each year the Spotlight Showcase gives young actors the opportunity to perform in front of an audience of industry professionals, helping to establish their careers as professional performers.
Two panels of industry judges chose the best performances by an actor for stage and for screen.
The screen judges were Lucy Bevan CDG, Jenny Duffy CDG, Lauren Evans, Lucy Hellier CDG, Kelly Valentine Hendry CDG/CSA and Rich Mento CSA. The students were directed by Alexandra Boyd, whose varied career in theatre, film and television as an actress, singer, voice over and now screenwriter and director, spans over thirty five years. A video of the screen performances was shown on the night. You can view their performances at spotlightshowcase.co
The stage showcase this year was directed by Natalie Abrahami. She was Artistic Director of the Gate Theatre, Notting Hill from 2007-2012 and Associate Director at the Young Vic 2013-2016. Recent theatre and opera include: Anna at the National Theatre, The Meeting at Chichester Festival Theatre, and Machinal at the Almeida.
The judges of the stage showcase were actors Adeel Akhtar, Sheila Atim, Shelley Conn, Romola Garai, Celia Imrie and casting directors Andy Brierly CDG, John Cannon CDG, Tracey Gillham CDG and Gillian Hawser CDG/CSA.
Judge Celia Imrie noted the high standard of performances across the board, with a special mention of the way Rhiannon connected with the audience.
Rhiannon Clements is represented by Jonathan Arun Group and Lucy Reynolds is represented by Diamond Management.
Photo copyright: Joanna Nicole Photography
