Acting student awarded ‘life-changing’ ITV Studios Drama Bursary
The prestigious ITV Studios Tony Warren Drama Bursary has been granted to Manchester Metropolitan University acting student Abbie Lasledj - a decision she has described as ‘life-changing’.
Launched in 2018, the bursary was established in honour of Tony Warren, a Manchester Met honorary graduate, professional actor, writer, and Coronation Street creator.
As an advocate of local talent, Warren was acutely aware of the barriers some young people face to access drama school.
The ITV Tony Warren Bursary supports a student from the North West each year, covering tuition fees and contributing toward living expenses to support the recipient throughout their drama training.
Abbie Lasledj, who studies BA (Hons) Acting at the University’s Manchester School of Theatre, said: “I always had a passion for acting. My earliest memory of performing was the Christmas nativity in primary school, I can remember being the only pupil not being allowed to use the microphone as my voice was ‘too loud’.
“Receiving this bursary is an incredible honour and a pivotal moment in my journey as a mature acting student. It validates my decision to pursue my passion and encourages me to embrace new challenges.”
Born in Blackpool and raised in the seaside town of St Annes, Abbie had first auditioned for drama school at 17.
She said: “I was told to come back when I was slightly older. Unfortunately, this didn’t happen. Life threw some challenges my way which knocked my confidence for a long time.
“The financial support of the bursary is invaluable. It’s common knowledge how intense drama school is, as a mature student with financial responsibilities, I was worried about how I would balance work and study. Receiving this award is truly lifechanging.”
Gennie Radcliffe, ITV Casting Director, said: “It was such a delight to offer Abbie the Tony Warren Bursary Award 2024. During her audition it quickly became evident she has the most wonderful comic timing coupled with the ability to inject real pathos into her characters; she felt instantly very ‘Corrie’ and I know Tony would definitely approve. I can’t wait to see what impact Manchester Metropolitan University’s training will have on her already incredibly evident talent.”
Dr Alison Slater, Head of Department of Art and Performance at Manchester Met, said: “Scholarships and bursaries make such a difference for students facing financial difficulties and enable them to reach their potential during their studies.
“We are incredibly grateful to the team at ITV Studios and to Tony Warren’s legacy, for this support and investment in Abbie and her future. We are excited to be part of Abbie’s story while she is training at Manchester School of Theatre and look forward to following her career beyond graduation.”
Tony Warren received an Honorary Doctorate of letters from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2008 for his contribution to television and creative writing.
