A star pupil
Above: Bright Young Things - Stephanie Hume
STEPHANIE is very business-like in her approach to achieving her dream. The winner of the Persona Drama Idol award in Brighton puts her success down to persistence and dedication: “I think I won because I have been working hard towards this goal for a long time,” she says. “I wanted it really badly and I think that showed.”
Her stage career began at school when she played the Little Princess and knew then that to act was her great ambition. “Acting is something that I love,” says Stephanie. “It gives me a real thrill. I don’t even mind the nerves. It’s part of the whole package. I couldn’t give a proper performance without them.”
Stephanie, who is 20, discovered that she had won the Persona award, which gives her a place on their ten-week acting course, shortly after being rejected from drama school. It gave her, she says, the confidence boost she needed.
______________________________________
Subscribe to Sussex Life Now
01858 438832
______________________________________
Notoriously difficult to get into, drama schools typically take about 30 students a year so the competition is extremely tough. Stephanie applied for the first time when she was 17 and for the next two years after that. “The more I apply the more I realise how low the odds are to actually get in!” says Stephanie. “But it’s not something I want to give up on.”
Between auditions, Stephanie took a year out to work, join the Ditchling Players amateur dramatics company, attend a two-week acting course at the Academy of Creative Training, Brighton, and study for a professional diploma at Chichester College.
Recently Stephanie played Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as part of her course at Chichester and appeared in A Murder is Announced with the Ditchling Players. “I loved A Midsummer Night’s Dream because I played my favourite part,” says Stephanie. “Plus I got to have an on-stage fight with the girl who played Hermia! We had a very good working relationship so it was great fun.”
To follow Stephanie’s progress see www.persona-acting.co.uk
Click HERE to read the full article in the Sussex Life Digital Archives
______________________________________
Subscribe to Sussex Life Now
01858 438832
______________________________________
What do you want to do next?