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13th March 2025
Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is once again celebrating a remarkable achievement as graduating BA Professional Acting student, Sasha McCabe, has been awarded the prestigious BBC Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award for 2025. This coveted prize marks a second consecutive year of success for the School, following Nuhazet Diaz-Cano’s win in 2024.
Named after the distinguished radio actor, the competition is open to students graduating from accredited UK drama schools and colleges, and provides between two and three winners with a five-month contract to work in the BBC’s Radio Drama Company. The BBC states that the annual event aims to identify distinctive, versatile radio voices to form a nucleus of new talent.
Sasha commented on this outstanding achievement: “I am so thrilled to be a recipient of this year’s Carleton Hobbs Bursary! It’s been such an amazing process working with George Naylor, whose experience and wisdom in audio is unparalleled. It’s also been such a privilege representing the School, and my year group, and I hope this is just one of the successes of many in our talented cohort! I grew up listening to audio drama on the BBC, and it’s amazing to think I’m now going to be working on similar programmes. I can’t wait to get started.”
Joe Leat, Head of BA Acting, expressed pride in Sasha’s accomplishment. “To have won two years in a row is a testament to the training and support here at the Theatre School.”
He continued, “Sasha and fellow finalist Peter Devlin (BA Acting, 2025) received special commendations. Other graduating acting students taking part in the competition – Spike Maxwell, Tom Brace-Jenkins, Tamzin Khan – represented the School in earlier rounds and reserves with their talent, hard work and humility.”
Sasha is soon to be performing in The Watsons at The Station (Silver Street, Bristol), an adaptation of Jane Austen’s unfinished novel with a rebellious twist! Performances run from Sat 15 Mar – Sat 22 Mar 2025.
Congratulations Sasha!
Header image by Craig Fuller
