13th March 2024
We’re delighted to share the news that graduating BA Professional Acting student Nuhazet Diaz Cano has been announced as one of three winners of the 2024 BBC Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award. Named after the distinguished actor, the prestigious prize is open to students graduating from accredited UK drama schools and colleges, and provides 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.”
Nuhazet commented, “I am so grateful to the BBC and the School for this opportunity! I invested a lot of time in the process and am elated to have received one of the awards. I have to say a huge thanks to visiting practitioners George Naylor and Marilyn Le Conte whose expert guidance and support was invaluable. Finally, my appreciation goes massively to my year group, as this is a victory for us all! They have pushed and inspired me to go further than I ever thought I could, and I wouldn’t be where or who I am without them.”
Ali de Souza, Director of Drama at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School said, “On behalf of the BOVTS community, I want to extend my heart-felt congratulations to Nuhazet on being a winner of this distinguished prize – it is so well deserved; Nuhazet is such a genuine, engaging and powerful actor and an all-round wonderful individual. We are very proud of him. It is so inspiring that these initiatives continue to provide such important platforms for emerging talent, and I know the BBC will be delighted at having Nuhazet on board.”
Nuhazet joins a long line of BOVTS students who have won the prize, including Charlotte East (2020), Emerald O’Hanrahan (2009) and Lydia Leonard (2003) – a full list of previous winners can be viewed on the BBC website. We extend our congratulations to all 2024 winners, and to fellow student Olivia Hemmati who received a special commendation for her performance in the process.
Nuhazet is currently performing in the medical drama Tiger Country at Tobacco Factory Theatres. Performances end on Sat 16 Mar (7.30PM).
Header image by Craig Fuller
