2006 Awardee: Helen Armes

I am really enjoying my time in Guildford. It is, of course, very challenging at times and it requires a lot of hard work, but this is exactly what I had hoped for.

Biography

Helen Armes has wanted to be an actor from an early age. Her family moved to Scotland from Lancashire when she was 11 and since then she has appeared regularly with the Lyceum Youth Theatre. This involvement led to a professional performance at the Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh and leading roles in two children’s TV serials for BBC Scotland.

From the moment Helen walked into the audition for the first TV show, the director knew that she was an exceptional talent for a 15-year-old. When it came to the second show, the development of her talent was clear. He is certain that, with the right training, she has all the attributes to become an actor of stature on the British stage.

Helen has won a place at the Guildford School of Acting to study for three years. Despite a Dance and Drama Award, she would not have been able to accept the place without additional financial support.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award has provided that additional support to enable Helen to pursue her dreams of becoming an actor.

Since the Award

Helen’s funding has been continued for a further year into 2007. She writes, “I have had an incredibly fulfilling first year at GSA. I have enjoyed the lessons, the teachers, and the challenges, as well as my development as both  person and an actor, and I know that I could not have reached this stage without such a high quality of training.”

I am really enjoying my time in Guildford. It is, of course, very challenging at times and it requires a lot of hard work, but this is exactly what I had hoped for.