12:35pm Monday 15th March 2010
SANDBACH student Kirsty Shaw has been offered a place at a performing arts school in New York.
Kirsty, aged 20, will link-up with high-flying students from all over the world when she joins the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Manhattan this October.
She is heading for the Big Apple for two years to complete an acting and singing qualification, followed by a third year to gain work experience after completing the course.
Kirsty, who is nearing the end of a two-year performing arts course at South Cheshire College, is hoping the trans-Atlantic adventure will build on what she has learnt already and push her on in the world singing and acting world.
Many students who have graduated from AMDA have gone on to star in TV and theatre productions including Heroes, Wicked and Desperate Housewives.
Kirsty, a former Sandbach Girls School pupil, had to submit essays about inspirational performers, contemporary and classical monologues and a portfolio of her work during the application process.
She was then invited to an audition in London and after an agonising wait she received a letter to say she had been accepted.
Kirsty said: “This is like a dream come true because it’s a hard school to get into and I didn’t know whether I would be accepted or not.
“I think it will be a fantastic experience, living and studying in one of the major cities in the world, and brilliant for my future career.
“The Academy is based just off Broadway where some of the world’s greatest actors started out on stage so it’s very exciting.”
Kirsty, of Winterley, near Sandbach, is no stranger to New York and visits for a family holiday each year.
She already has accommodation lined up near to Central Park in Manhattan, and has also been boosted by receiving a $7,000 scholarship package which will help to cover tuition fees.
The Crewe college’s head of performing arts Daryl Clulow said: “Everyone is thrilled for Kirsty. To gain a place at such a prestigious performing arts school is a fantastic achievement and she has done the college proud.”
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