A drama student has won a £6,000 scholarship to help her break into the acting industry.
Tamzin Khan, a student at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School (BOVTS), was announced as the winner of The Luke Westlake Scholarship on 11 December.
The annual award was established in 2019 by Just Add Milk (JAM), to support aspiring actors from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Ms Khan said: “I’m still in shock, I really didn’t think I would win.”
The prize also includes networking opportunities and acting subscriptions.
Ms Khan was one of eight finalists chosen from over 150 applications from 27 drama schools across the UK.
Ms Khan said she was proudly working class, having grown up on the Knowle West estate in south Bristol.
She said: “The Luke Westlake Scholarship gives actors incredible opportunities and support that you just don’t get in everyday life – especially for people from backgrounds similar to mine.
“There are people from all over the country who have applied and I don’t know their backgrounds, but I knew they were all very talented,” she added.
‘So grateful’
“Acting was something I became passionate about when I was about 11. Then it quickly became, ‘OK, how are we going to afford this?'” Ms Khan continued.
“I’m just so grateful for the generosity of Just Add Milk, which helps people like me to fulfil our dreams of acting.”
Liam McLaughlin, Chief Executive of JAM, says: “Tamzin’s application and self-tapes were unanimously praised by the judges – she’s an incredible talent.
“We look forward to watching Tamzin’s talent grow over her final 18 months at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and can’t wait to see her blossom when she enters the industry in summer 2025,” continued McLaughlin.
“Tamzin represents everything the bursary stands for, so we’re delighted to be supporting another brilliant working class actor,” he added.
