Alyssa takes home Spotlight Prize

Published on:
19th July 2024

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is proud to announce that Alyssa Thabisile Sibanda, a 2024 BA Professional Acting graduate, has been awarded Best Performance on Stage at the prestigious Spotlight Prize showcase.

The Spotlight Prize, established in the 1950s, offers drama school graduates a valuable opportunity to launch their careers by performing before a panel of industry experts. This year’s competition saw applications from over 70 drama schools and universities, with 22 finalists selected to perform at the ceremony.

For her winning stage piece, Alyssa performed Many Moons by Alice Birch. Alyssa’s achievement places her among an illustrious group of past nominees and winners, including renowned actors such as Gwendoline Christie, Jodie Whittaker, Ben Whishaw, and BOVTS alum Faye Marsay.

Ali de Souza, Director of Drama, commented: “It was so impressive to witness the outstanding group of talented finalists at this year’s Spotlight Prize. Everyone at the School is very proud of Alyssa; she is a brilliant performer and very deserving of this award”.

The School also extends its best wishes to Senam Akpokavi (ArtsEd) who was awarded Best Performance on Screen. Congratulations Alyssa and Senam!


Alyssa and Senam at the awards ceremony © Spotlight / Joanna Nicole Photography
It was always stressed that the contacts you make during your training are incredibly important, and your classmates are likely to end up being on set alongside you in the future. After working with a director of photography on one of the School’s short films, I was invited to work on a project with him outside of Bristol - proving that the professionals we meet via the School, may one day give us a call to action! Muir McFadden, Technical Graduate
Sat 08 Nov 2025 - Sat 15 Nov 2025
show
THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR by NIKOLAI GOGOL in a version by DAVID HARROWER