A TALENTED teenager from Rossendale is a step closer to achieving her dream of becoming a professional actress after landing a place at the National Youth Theatre.

Georgie Brown, 15, impressed tutors from the theatre with a monologue from Shakespeare’s most recently discovered play, The Two Noble Kinsmen, at her London audition earlier this year.

The Alder Grange Community and Technology School pupil has been a member of Stage Door School for Performing Arts, in Bank Street, Rawtenstall, for the past three years.

She said: “I auditioned last year but was unsuccessful so I was quite nervous this time round.

“The audition went really well.

“I was hopeful I would get a better result and it was brilliant to hear I had got in.

“I’ve always wanted to be an actress but I don’t mind if I’m on stage or in front of the screen because you have to go for everything.”

The world-famous youth theatre has received more than 4,300 applications for 500 places – its highest number of applications this year.

Famous former students include Daniel Craig, Matt Smith, Matt Lucas, David Walliams and Orlando Bloom. Georgie will attend the NYT Acting Course in London in August before becoming a fully trained member of the theatre.

Her tutor Rachel Griffiths, who runs Stage Door School for Performing Arts, said Georgie was one of her star students.

She said: “It’s been an exciting time for Georgie as she also achieved her ambition of performing at The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, earlier this year. Georgie is one of our hardest working students who is completely focused on developing her career as an actor.

“We are all extremely proud of her and will continue to support her in any way we can.”

Georgie’s parents Peter and Helen have set up an email address for donations to help fund Georgie through her course.

To get in touch email georgienytfund@live.co.uk or call Rachel on 07814 706945.