A WOULD-be actor and former Halesowen College student has won a place at the prestigious New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.

Chris Barfoot will fly out to the Big Apple in August to study a year-long course in acting for TV and film, after a successful audition in which he performed two contemporary monologues.

The 20-year-old, currently at the London College of Music completing a BA in musical theatre, studied A-levels in drama and theatre studies as well as a level 3 BTEC in music performance at the college.

He said: “This year is going to be very exciting and I have Halesowen College to thank. They really gave me a fantastic insight into the profession and I learnt a lot of skills.

“New York will really be a special place for me and I hope to get lots of experience and enhance my range of skills to be a professional actor in the future.”