Ashlee, a student at Theale Green Community School, has taken her first step on the road to stardom. She has beaten thousands of other young performers from around the whole of the UK to gain a place in the National Youth Theatre. Originally from Australia, she moved to England a few years ago, where she auditioned for the local youth theatre company "Starmaker", with whom she still performs. Since 1996, she has appeared in such classics as ‘Singing in the Rain’, ‘Annie’, ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Bugsy Malone’ – to name but a few! Ashlee has also achieved the LAMDA Silver Standard Award for Drama and takes extra lessons in both Dance and Drama.

She decided to fill in the application form for the National Youth Theatre at school.

"It was then I discovered I was competing against over 4000 other applicants," said Ashley, 14. "However, after two auditions I was awarded one of the 100 places and I will be attending the Acting course next Easter Holidays".

As for the future? Ashlee certainly does not want to stop here.

"I hope to study at a drama school, such as RADA, and my main ambition is to become a successful actress".