An Isle of Wight Radio Child of Wight Award Winner is following her dream of becoming a professional actor, after a successful first term at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Supported by local fundraising and support from ferry company Wightlink, Anna Constable from Wroxall, who has a rare genetic condition called Noonan Syndrome, travels to London twice a week to attend a Performance Making course which is specifically for adults with autism and learning disabilities.
Anna is one of just 15 students to secure a place on the course which had more than 100 applicants.
The only course of its kind in the UK, the Performance Making Diploma has a successful track record with 84 per cent of previous graduates securing paid employment in the arts in roles including actors, writers, directors, disability consultants for film and TV.
Graduates have worked on many successful projects with prestigious organisations including the National Theatre, BBC, ITV, Leeds Playhouse and Soho Theatre, as well as touring shows to the Edinburgh Fringe and other international events.
Anna, whose condition means she has epilepsy and other issues that leave her in chronic pain, has always loved performing and has taken part in countless performances on the Isle of Wight with groups including Way Forward and Theatre Train.
She studied at the Isle of Wight College, achieving an outstanding merit in ‘Step Up to Performing Arts Level 2’ before deciding to apply for a place at The Royal Central. Her talent and enthusiasm for performing saw her selected from more than 100 applicants for a place on the specialist course.
Helen Bryer, Course Director at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, said:
“Anna is the first student on this course from the Isle of Wight and makes a huge commitment to travel to class each week! Through this commitment she has also learnt to travel on the underground and her confidence in getting around as a disabled person has grown a huge amount.
“We were so impressed with Anna when we first met her at auditions. She is knowledgeable and creative, and absolutely determined to forge her own path. Her dedication to her practice is always evident, especially in improvisation and devising classes where she is always full of ideas. I am so excited to see what she comes up with in the coming months as students begin to devise their own pieces.
“In addition to the practical training Anna is getting on the course, she is also forging strong relationships both with other students and with industry professionals.”
Mairi Hayes, Head of Short Course Programmes at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama said:
“Working with Anna is a joy. She is a brilliant in a rehearsal room, insightful, imaginative and has great instincts as an actor. I am really excited to work with her over the next few months of the course.”
Taking her place at drama school is bittersweet for Anna and her family as her father – former entertainments manager at a large holiday park on the Island - isn’t here to see her follow her dreams. Anna was with him when he sadly died suddenly and unexpectedly in 2019, her brave actions at the time led to her being presented with the Asa Singleton Courageous Child Award at the 2019 Isle of Wight Radio Child of Wight Awards.
Anna’s mum Debbie said:
“I am thrilled that she is doing so well. I would also like to thank all those who have helped meet the cost of the travel – they have given Anna such an amazing opportunity.”
Wightlink Chief Executive, Keith Greenfield, said:
“When we saw Anna had been successful in winning a place at the school but that she needed travel assistance we were delighted to add her to our sponsorship programme. She is clearly doing exceptionally well and is a great ambassador for the Island.”
Anna also receives funding from the Isle of Wight Council to assist with rail fares from Portsmouth to London – for which her family is very grateful - but this doesn’t include the London Underground which costs Anna and her mum £49 per week and is essential for reducing Anna’s journey time due to her disabilities.
Anyone wishing to support Anna with the cost of travel during her course can make a donation via her Just Giving page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/
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