Passionate about performing, Luke Barker was delighted to beat thousands who auditioned for the Youth Music Theatre in London.
Initially 2,500 11 to 21-year-olds auditioned across the country for one of the 300 places or 100 on the reserve list.
Luke Barker is passionate performing on stage
The 15-year-old of Cyprus Road in Titchfield Common was disappointed at first not to snatch a place in the group, after auditioning at The Point in Southampton.
But the Brookfield School pupil was happy that he made it onto the reserves list – especially considering he had been up against older performers.
“To be honest I felt disappointed at first because I was hoping to get in,” said Luke.
“But when my mum said I’d done really well to go against people who were 21 and everyone was saying it’s such a great achievement, it realised it was.
“Performing is my passion. It builds up my self esteem and confidence and I can meet new people as well.
“I’ve been involved in Rock Challenge and Global Voices at school and I was the lead in last year’s performance Our House.”
Luke will continue auditioning for parts in school plays and will hope to hear if he gets a chance to perform with the London theatre group, which tours the country performing different plays, including Great Expectations and Dark Tower.