Third year acting student is nominated for this year’s prestigious Spotlight Prize

Chosen from a pool of hundreds of graduating drama students across the UK and Ireland, third year Acting BA(Hons) student, Theo Athinou, has been selected as a finalist for this year’s prestigious Spotlight Prize.  

As one of twenty talented finalists, Theo will take part in a showcase, an event that includes filming a piece for screen before taking to the stage to perform for an audience of specially invited industry professionals. The stage performance will be directed by David Mumeni (Dead Pixels, Sliced).  

Spotlight’s Managing Director, Matt Hood, said: “Selecting the finalists from this year’s nominees proved challenging and exhilarating for our judges. We’re looking forward to welcoming the industry to our annual showcase in July, and to adding two more names to the long list of Spotlight Prize winners.” 

Theo joins the Spotlight Prize’s star-studded history of finalists that has included names such as Jodie Whittaker, Sam Heughan, Bessie Carter, Rosalind Eleazar, Mimi Ndiweni, Ben Whishaw, and Gwendoline Christie.  

When the award was previously known as The Millington Award, finalists included Dame Judi Dench, John Hurt, Zoë Wanamaker and Robert Lindsay. 

Reflecting on his nomination, Theo said: “I’m so grateful for the time I had on the Acting course at Falmouth. My teachers have always encouraged me to continue to strive and produce my best work, even when I felt like I couldn’t. The course really kept my passion for acting alive with each new module giving me the techniques and faith to make it this far. 

I’m shocked that I’ve made it as a finalist for this prize. I’ve got to grab it with both hands because it really is an incredible opportunity. In doing so, I hope I can make Falmouth proud.” 

Matthew Morgan-Stevens, Course Leader for Acting BA(Hons), added: “We’re incredibly proud of Theo and can’t wait to see what’s next for him! The Spotlight Prize is one of the industry's most respected events, offering a powerful platform for emerging talent to perform in front of leading casting directors, agents, and other key professionals.” 

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