Suffolk actress off to New York

SUFFOLK teenager Jemima Brackenbury is heading to the Big Apple after being accepted to study at a prestigious drama school.

Following in the footsteps of acting greats like Kirk Douglas, Danny De Vito and Robert Redford the youngster from Bucklesham could well be heading for the red carpet herself.

Jemima, 18 of Bucklesham Hall Road has been selected to study at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

She has dreamed of becoming a professional actress since primary school and since then the former Kesgrave High School pupil has juggled rehearsals for plays with amateur dramatics groups and private tuition for singing and acting.

Her big break came after her tutor spotted an advert in a national newspaper for the New York academy.

But her dream almost did not come true at all as Jemima's application was received after the auditions had taken place.

However the school's principal decided to make a second visit to the UK after receiving a batch of late entries and her audition was held last month.

She said: "I had not expected to get in. I couldn't believe it.

"It's something that I've always wanted to do and I'm now getting somewhere with it. It's also one of those things that you think is never going to happen."

Jemima, who works in Etam in Ipswich, has been trying to secure a place at acting school for the past five years, having been turned down from some English schools because she is so young.

The teenager, who is a member of the Gallery Players theatre group, will now move to New York in the autumn ready for the start of term on October 20.

Before then, however, she has to raise £18,000 in sponsorship for her first year, which covers her schooling and living expenses at the academy.

Any businesses who could help Jemima with sponsorship should contact 01473 659798.