Prestigious awards support outstanding drama students facing financial hardship
Facilitated by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), The Theatre Development Trust, have awarded Laurence Olivier bursaries to exceptional drama school students, providing them vital financial support as they enter their final year of training.
Now in its 38th year, the bursary scheme was established in 1987 to celebrate Laurence Olivier’s 80th birthday and continues to champion the next generation of acting talent. It is awarded to students who demonstrate extraordinary promise but face financial barriers to complete their training.
In addition to the Theatre Development Trust, this year’s bursaries were made possible by the generous support of the Estate of Sir Peter and Lady Saunders, The Clothworkers’ Foundation, The Behrens Foundation, the estate of Carman Silvera (via Barry Burnett), and The Casting Directors’ Guild.
Nominees are put forward by drama schools across the UK and invited to audition on a West End stage. Each nominee is also interviewed by a panel of leading theatre professionals, chaired by SOLT President and National Theatre Productions’ Executive Producer, Kash Bennet. This year’s auditions took place earlier this month at St Martin’s Theatre.
Past recipients include some of the UK’s most celebrated performers, such as Michaela Coel, Denise Gough, Bryony Hannah, Paterson Joseph, Ewan McGregor, Daniel Rigby, Vinette Robinson, and Michael Sheen.
Bursary recipients:
Laurence Olivier Bursary
Donated by the Theatre Development Trust
Jaycee Korama (Drama Studio London)
Nadya Stoycheva (ArtsEd)
Orlaigh Dempsey-Clark (The Oxford School Of Drama)
Umar Kamara (ArtsEd)
The Sir Peter and Lady Saunders Laurence Olivier Bursary
Donated by the Estate of Sir Peter and Lady Saunders
Olivia Mae Baker (Mountview)
The Clothworkers’ Laurence Olivier Bursary
Given in conjunction with the Laurence Olivier Bursary, donated by The Clothworkers’ Foundation
Lex Richardson (Laine Theatre Arts)
Scarlett St Clair (Guildford School of Acting)
Behrens Foundation Bursary
Given in conjunction with the Laurence Olivier Bursary, donated by The Behrens Foundation
Elysia Showan (Bristol Old Vic Theatre School)
Jasmine Carson (Manchester School of Theatre)
Carmen Silvera Bursary
Given in conjunction with the Laurence Olivier Bursary, donated by the agent Barry Burnett
Jack Roriston Baird (Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama)
Casting Directors’ Guild Bursary
Donated by The Casting Directors’ Guild
Hasia Akwaboah (Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama)
Laurence Olivier Bursaries Panel:
Kash Bennett (Executive Producer at National Theatre Productions, SOLT President and Bursary chair)
Heather Basten (Casting Director and member of Casting Directors’ Guild)
Jasmyn Fisher-Ryner (Theatre & Digital Producer, and SOLT Associate Member)
Lee Menzies (Producer and SOLT Member)
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